Photovoltaic Testing Services

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Photovoltaic Testing Services

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• Photovoltaic Component TestingTest procedures and equipment have been developed for full photovoltaic system component testing including PV or CPV modules, power conversion electronics, system controllers and all related components.

• Photovoltaic System TestingTesting of large flat-plate, thin film or concentrated photovoltaic systems is available at TÜV Rheinland PTL. Its staff has already tested many of the large and small photovoltaic systems in the United States as well as in foreign countries.

• System Acceptance Tests Acceptance tests and evaluation of installation practices, performance of the system, compliance to code, and system control function for many photovoltaic power systems can be provided. Regular periodic testing can also be done to follow any system degradation trends and maintenance requirements.

• Secured and Proprietary TestingTÜVRheinland® experts can collaborate with companies in the photovoltaic industry through the design phase to provide confidential, specialty testing programs, which become proprietary for the funding company.

its state-of-the-art test equipment, it is the first of its kind to offer full-scale PV testing and certification across the entire component chain of photovoltaic systems, including modules, arrays, inverters, grid-tied electronics, controllers, motion and tracking devices, and wireless control electronics

PV-Module CertificationPTL provides PV design qualification and type certification services to many standards including: IEC 61215, IEC 61646 and IEC 62108 standards; PV safety testing services per ANSI/UL 1703 and IEC 61730 standards; and other working group standards for concentrated photovoltaic modules and systems (CPV).

Performance and Reliability Measurements on PV Systems TÜV Rheinland PTL offers a full range of performance and reliability testing, including secure and specialized client testing programs to help photovoltaic manufacturers, installers, and users improve the quality as well as optimize the performance and reliability of their photovoltaic systems.

Photovoltaics (PV)Due to the growing demand for clean sources of energy, the manufacture of solar cells and photovoltaic arrays has expanded dramatically in recent years. In fact, photovoltaic production has been doubling every two years, increasing by an average of 48 percent each year since 2002, making it the world’s fastest growing energy technology. With this increase in production comes the need for testing the entire component chain.

The Premier Lab in the UnitedStates Accredited for PV DesignQualification and Type ApprovalTÜV Rheinland PTL, a joint venture between TÜVRheinland® and Arizona State University, is the world’s most comprehensive and sophisticated independent facility for testing and certification of solar energy equipment. This unique collaboration combines the powerful reputation, technological sophistication, management expertise and international reach of TÜVRheinland® with ASU’s more than 25 years of research on solar energy and extensive solar testing know-how. With

Testing Under the Arizona Sun — Facilitating Entry to the Worldwide Marketplace As a full line provider of solar testing — from full PV systems to a broad range of system components — TÜVRheinland® has the largest network of laboratories with facilities in United States, Germany, China, and Japan.

Current Service Offerings

• Performance Testing

• Product Certification

• Safety Testing and Certification

• All IEC PV Standards

• UL Standard Certification and Listing

• PV, CPV, and CSP Plant Services

• Planning, Commissioning, Monitoring

• Solar Thermal Hot Water Certification Testing


Evaluation Testing of Photovoltaic TechnologiesMany manufacturers seek evaluation and performance testing of their products by in dependent source. TÜVRheinland® provides a number of engineering evaluations for many manufacturers. Some common examples include:

• Long-Term Outdoor ExposureTaking advantage of an average daily irradiance level of 6.5 kWh/m2/day at latitude tilt, Long-Term Outdoor Exposure (LT-OE) testing is available. In a typical LT-OE program, modules are configured with a fixed load (near maximum power) for continuous data collection, with a subset of the modules undergoing temperature monitoring and quarterly performance.

• Engineering Evaluation Testing In addition to certificate-based testing programs, TÜV Rheinland PTL performs Engineering Evaluation Test Programs, which are dictated by the manufacturer but may or may not be consistent with standard test conditions. Data from Engineering Evaluations cannot be used for certification, but are for manufacturer’s information only.

Manufacturers of SupportingElectronics and Components forPhotovoltaic Systems TÜVRheinland® has been providing a wide range of safety and performance testing for over 140 years, including testing and certification for the key control and power electronics that support the energy industry.


Building and Code EnforcementTÜVRheinland® has a team of dedicated engineers across the USA and around the globe that can assist with on-site safety and performance marking. TÜV Rheinland PTL verifies and accredits equipment safety according to building and enforcement codes set by the market and enforced by city and municipal inspectors.

Solar Integrators In many cases, it is the solar integration team who has to provide the assurances and performance of the system for the end client. A number of specialty test programs have been designed to assist with that effort.

Testing Capabilities• Qualification Testing • Crystalline Si PV Modules (IEC61215) • Thin Films PV Modules (IEC61646) • Concentrator PV Modules (IEC61208)• Safety Testing • ANSI/UL 1703

• IEC61730• UL1741

• Inverter and Control Electronics Testing• Component Testing• Solar Thermal Testing• Engineering Evaluation Testing• Long Term Outdoor Exposure• Module Characterization (Sandia Method)• Development Testing• CEC Performance Testing


With Over 500 Locations in 65 Countries

We can help get your products to market quicker

1-TUV-RHEINLAND(1-888-743-4652)Int’l 203-426-0888

[email protected]

North American Headquarters12 Commerce RoadNewtown, CT 06470

Founded in 1872, TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in independent testing, inspection, and certification services, ensuring quality and safety for people, the environment and technology in nearly all aspects of life. The company maintains a presence in 500 locations spanning 65 countries, employs 17,000 people and has an annual revenue of $2 billion. TÜV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects and helps to shape processes for a wide variety of companies through its worldwide network of approved labs, testing facilities and education centers.

United StatesAustin, TXBentonville, ARBirmingham, ALBoxborough, MAIrvine, CAChicago, ILDetroit, MIFlint, MIGrand Rapids, MIHouston, TXNewtown, CTPittsburgh, PAPleasanton, CAPortland, ORRaleigh, NCRochester, NYSanta Clara, CATempe, AZ

CanadaToronto

MexicoGuadalajaraMexico CityMonterrey

Photovoltaic Testing Services

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