Photovoltaics

NEWS Announcement!

TÜV SÜD America and Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC, LLC) Partner to Provide Photovoltaics Testing and Certification Services

TÜV SÜD America offers photovoltaics (PV) testing and certification services for crystalline silicon and thin-film technologies. With our unique lab partnership program, TÜV SÜD can provide your organization with an expedient and cost-effective testing strategy.

What is PV Testing?

Photovoltaics (PV) is the field of technology and research related to the application of solar cells for energy by converting sun energy directly into electricity. Due to the growing demand for clean sources of energy, the manufacture of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has expanded dramatically in recent years.

IEC Standards Scopes Available

TÜV SÜD America's photovoltaic testing and certification capabilities include the following scopes:

• IEC 61215-1
• IEC 61646
• IEC 61730-1
• IEC 61730-2

About the PV Quality mark and PV quality seal under PV GAP

TÜV SÜD also provides the new PV quality mark and soon, the PV quality seal for your module under the PV Global Approval Program (GAP) for Photovoltaics, which accepts the certification of PV products by the International Electrotechnical Commission System for Conformity Testing and Certification of Electrical Equipment (IECEE). The IECEE operates the well known global Certification Bodies (CB) Scheme for Mutual Recognition of Test Certificates for Electrical Equipment, and the Full Certification Scheme (CB-FCS) that tests PV products for performance. Until the end of 2003, the IEC’s designated certification scheme for PV was the Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components (IECQ).

PV GAP Mark	PV Quality Seal

Global Network & Project Management Know-How

TÜV SÜD America is not just a test lab, but also an engineering source to assist you in understanding the complexities regarding adherence to the relevant IEC, EN, and UL standards. If your existing PV module undergoes changes, you may only need a certain portion of re-testing required, and not a full suite of tests that some labs claim to state. The IEC publishes a re-testing guideline for Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules and Thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules that highlights these areas. As part of the TÜV SÜD certification process, we know how important it is to maintain the integrity of your PV module in its production cycle, so we conduct the most thorough quality inspection audit in the industry.

PV NAFTA contacts:

TÜV SÜD America Inc.
Regan Arndt
Program Manager
46457 Landing Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538
Phone: 510-393-9993

Following links and downloads are of interest for getting started:

•   Get Started - Manufacturers Guide to IEC Testing Process
•   About the PV Global GAP label
•   IEC Retesting Guidelines
•   Overview of IEC 61215 / IEC 61646 tests
•   Design Qualification & Type Approvals for PV
•   Factory Inspection Report
•   Brochure
•   Solar Glossary of Terms

Hot Links:

• National Renewable Energy Laboratory
• The International Solar Energy Society
• Solar Industry magazine
• ANSI - America National Standards Institute
  

For more information, contact us.

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