Powered by natureCertification and testing servicesfor the photovoltaic sector

TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbH

TÜV SÜD – your trusted photovoltaic partnerSolar energy is increasingly emerging as one of the most viable and sustainable solutions to meet our ever-growing energy needs. The demand for photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules has soared over the last ten years, especially in Europe, the US, and Asia.

To gain a foothold in these global markets, manufacturers need a certificate issued by a reputable third-party certification organization to document the performance and safety of their products. Within the scope of such certification processes, the type and design, the materials and components, and the manufacturing processes of PV modules are checked for their compliance with the relevant standards.

TÜV SÜD is ideally positioned to assist you in entering these markets and beyond by providing reliable and time-efficient support.

Our testing and certification services ensure that your PV products comply with the rigorous performance and safety requirements of European and international standards.

We pursue a tailored and customer-focused approach thus offering unrivaled levels of service and support.

Our teams of experts have extensive knowledge and can assist you in complying with global regulations and in keeping up to date with the latest developments in international standards.

TÜV SÜD keeps you informed at all times, thus minimizing your time to market while improving the quality of your products and processes.

TÜV SÜD certification for your PV modulesThe succesful certification of your PV modules can be a complicated and time-consuming business. For this reason, TÜV SÜD’s expertise and customer-focused services will provide you with the necessary support to complete the process in a reliable and time-efficient manner.

A certificate issued by a neutral third party such as TÜV SÜD enhances your reputation for quality – a particularly important aspect when your aim is to prove the safety and excellent performance of your products to international PV investors and customers.

Our internationally recognized certification marks create confidence among business and private customers throughout the world.

Certification, however, is not only a formal process. Its key advantage is that it involves a learning process in the course of which your company will learn more about a variety of important issues including:

� Technical requirements of the standards � Internal quality control systems which help you comply with these requirements throughout the production process

� Renewal of existing certifications

Our globally recognized TÜV SÜD certification marks create confidence among investors and business customers, and they improve the marketability of your products throughout the world.

Testing and certification servicesTÜV SÜD supports PV manufacturers with regard to design qualification (DQ). Our testing and certification services are based on in-depth industry expertise and comply with international standards. We offer solutions in the following fields:

Photovoltaic modules � IEC/EN 61215 (performance of crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules)

� IEC/EN 61646 (performance of thin-film terrestrial PV modules)

� IEC/EN 61730 (safety of crystalline silicon and thin-film terrestrial PV modules) Part 1: Requirements for construction Part 2: Requirements for testing

� CB Scheme/CB Test Certificate � Tests and certifications according to national and international standards: IEC, UL, MCS, JET, KEMCO, Golden Sun Mark

� Further tests and certifications required by the market:- Potential induced degradation (PID)- Ammonia resistance test- Salt spray resistance test- Thresher test

Concentrating photovoltaic modules and assemblies

� IEC 62108 � IEC 62688

Electrical components for photovoltaic systems � Junction boxes: EN 50548 � Connectors for PV systems: EN 50521 � Cables: VDE-AR-E 2283-4

Photovoltaic materials � Back sheet: Partial discharge test, IEC 61730-2 (IEC 60664-1)

� EVA film: Peel test, gel content of EVA following lamination

� Adhesive and sealing compound

Photovoltaic cells � Spectral response � Characterization

Balance-of-system (BOS) components � Inverters: Safety/reliability and EMC tests,

power grid compatibility � Sun trackers: Safety tests (combination of

IEC standards) � Installation systems/mounting frames

Other services � R&D testing: Standard or extended environmental testing � Sand and dust resistance tests � Electroluminescence, thermography � Consultancy on the criteria to be fulfilled by PV testing laboratories

� Approval of external PV testing laboratories in accordance with TÜV SÜD test programs

TÜV SÜD supports your partners throughout the entire value chain by offering a comprehensive range of services. We provide standard and customized quality programs, including:

� Comparative testing and supplier evaluation � PV-specific factory inspection � Pre-shipment services (pre-shipment and loading inspection)

� Extended reliability testing (indoor and outdoor)

For PV investors, importers, and installers

Services for the PV industry and its stakeholders

Manufacturers of

PV modulesManufacturers of PV components

Manufacturers of inverters

Owners of PV plants and systems (investors, importers, installers)

� Certification in accordance with IEC 61215/61646 and IEC 61730

� Certification in accordance with IEC 62108, IEC 62688 (82/603/NP)

� IEC 62804 (82/685/NP) (PID test) � EN 62716 (ammonia resistance) � IEC 61701 (salt spray resistance) � MCS certification for the UK market � Support for Global Sun Mark and JET � Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) � Smart PV modules � Thresher test (bankability) � TÜV SÜD certification mark,

CB Test Certificate � Upgrade of existing certifications � R&D tests � Consultancy of PV testing laboratories

� Junction boxes � Connectors for

PV systems � Cables � Sun trackers � Installation systems/

mounting frames

Testing and certification in accordance with:

� Safety:- EN 50178- EN 50530- IEC 62109-1- IEC 62109-2- IEC 62116- IEC 61727- IEC 62477-1- IEC 60335- UL 1741- VDE-AR-N 4105- C10/11- ER G59/2-1- ER G83/1-1

� Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC):- IEC 61000-6- IEC 61000-3

� Certification in accordance with technical standards

� Certification in accordance with the BDEW Directive

� Preparation of expert’s reports � Comparative tests and

supplier evaluation � Factory inspection � Pre-shipment inspection � Extended reliability testing

TÜV SÜD – your benefits

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Choosing TÜV SÜD as your partner adds real value to your business. We are the recognized global experts for quality and safety certification of your PV products according to European and international regulations.

Maximum customer focusFrom the outset – in other words, from the planning stage – we collaborate closely with you and keep you informed about the project status through regular progress reports and monthly updates. We provide factory inspections and expert insights into the certification requirements and the handling of future PV projects.

Committed to qualityFor business and private customers, our globally recognized TÜV SÜD octagon stands for safety and quality.

Accreditations and agreementsTÜV SÜD holds the necessary accreditations for national schemes such as UK’s Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and bilateral agreements in key regions (e.g. CQC in China and JET in Japan) to support our customers to comply with international requirements.

Industry expertise and technical know-howOver 20,000 highly qualified professionals, over 320,000 product certifications and 46,000 management system certifications speak for themselves.

WorldwideWe offer compliance testing according to all international standards, test standards, and other requirements from a single source.

Independent and neutralDocument the quality and safety of your products with a third-party certificate and thus improve your reputation.

Full process transparencyWe ensure timely responses and provide regular project status updates throughout the entire testing and certification process.

TÜV SÜD Product Service GmbHRidlerstr. 6580339 Munich+49 89 5008-4747photovoltaik@tuev-sued.dewww.tuev-sued.com/pv