TESTING SOLAR

A corner of solar to explore.

Testing Time For Solar Energy Products
31 May 2007 (Carbon Free)

WHO
TUV Rheinland Group, Bruno O. Braun, President/CEO;

WHAT
TUV Rheinland Group's Cologne laboratory tests some 70% of all solar module manufacturers’ products. The company announced a 3.5 million euro development/expansion investment.

WHEN
TUV Rheinland Group has done P-V testing since 1995. The new lab is expected by the end of 2008.

WHERE
- The present lab is in Cologne, Germany. The investment will be for new lab capacity in Asia: China, Taiwan, India
- Announcement made at the Global Technology Assessment Center (GTAC)/Yokohama, Japan.
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WHY
- The Cologne lab testing for lifetime durability & efficiency is said to be the industry standard: modules endure sunlight, hailstorms, rain, high humidity and temperature variances from minus 40 to plus 85 degrees Celsius and, if passed, are expected to be fully serviceable for 20 years+.
- The expansion of solar manufacturing and installation in Asia is unprecedented and requires new capacities everywhere.
- TUV Rheinland: a range of technical services, 340+ locations/60 countries/all five continents, workforce of 11,000, cash flow of EUR 900 million/yr.

QUOTES
Braun: "The market for photovoltaic technology is currently growing by 20 to 30 percent per year, with especially strong development in Germany, Japan and USA. Growth fields include the production of technological components and the generation of solar power. That is why it makes sense to add further test centers to our extensive facilities in Germany for this innovative technology…"