Provisional List of Testing Laboratories (as of Feb 1, 2002)

Accredited Test Laboratories

The quality of the PV components, i.e. cell, modules, batteries, etc., strongly contribute to the overall perception of quality from the PV industry. At present there exist standards that define some components performance as well as the tests that the components should undergo in order to meet the standards. For instance one of this standards is the IEC 61215 for performance and lifetime of crystalline silicon PV modules.

Accredited Test Laboratories ensure that the test performed on the PV components follow the appropriate international standards and therefore it maintains the highest level of quality in the development and execution of tests and calibrations methods, in order to meet the needs of customers and clients.

This is achieved by having in place a quality system and undergoing periodically both internal and external audits. These audits are the key to ensure that the quality of the tests performed and the certification issued by the laboratories meet the requirements and expectancies of the stakeholders. They make possible to regularly ensure that the provisions of quality assurance described in the lab’s quality documents are actually implemented and that they are suitable for achieving their objectives.

The laboratories also ensure the traceability of their measurements as a focal point for guaranteeing the reliability of the values and certification provided to their customers.

Photovoltaic Testlabatory Quality Manual
for download (Word File 276 KB)

Provisional List of Testing Laboratories (as of Feb 1, 2002)

A.- Laboratories Accredited by IECQ and listed by PV GAP

Arizona State University
Photovoltaic Testing Lab.
Tempe Arizona, USA

Phone: 1-480 727 1220
FAX: 1-480 727 1223

Ptl@asu.edu

www.asu.edu/east/ptl

Accredited to
ISO/IEC 17025

Modules of all types

Capability: All types of tests for IEC 61215 and IEC 61646

B.- Other accredited Laboratories in the process of being listed by PV GAP

JRC-ISPRA European Solar Test Installation Phone: 39 332 789 196 FAX: 39 332 789 268	Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025	Modules of all types	Capability: All types of tests indoors and outdoors reliability test
FSEC Florida Solar Energy Center Phone: 1 321 638 1500 FAX: 1 321 638 1010	Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025	Small Home Systems	Capability: All types of tests outdoors for Stand Alone PV Systems.
BPPT/LSDE Indonesia Phone: 62 21 316 9749 FAX: 62 21 316 9765	Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025	Modules of all types	Capability for testing modules, components, systems and applications
ETDC Bangalore, India Phone: 91 80 839 4252 FAX: 91 80 839 1804	Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025	Modules of all types	Capability for testing modules.
CEPREI, Guangzhou, China Phone: 86 20 872 37204 FAX: 86 20 872 36230	Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025	Modules	Capability for testing modules.
Intertek Testing Services, Boxborough, MA, USA Phone: 1 607 753 6711 FAX: 1 607 756 9891	Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025	Some components	Capability for testing some systems components.
TÜV Rhineland, Cologne, Germany Phone: 49 221 806 2711 FAX: 49 221 806 1350	Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025	Modules and system components	Capability for testing modules, components, systems and applications

C.- Laboratories Approved for ISO 9001, not accredited under ISO/IEC17025

GENEC, France	ISO 9001 approved	Modules and system testing. Outdoor facilities and BOS testing
JET, Japan	ISO 9001 approved	Modules and system testing. Appliances and inverter testing.
Fraunhofer Inst. Germany	ISO 9001 approved	Modules and system testing.
ECN, Netherlands	ISO 9001 approved	Modules and system testing.
CANMET, Canada	ISO 9001 approved	Modules and system testing.
NREL, Colorado, USA	ISO 9001 approved	Module and Cell testing
Sandia Lab., USA		BOS testing

D.- Laboratories with appropriate equipment but not yet accredited

CIEMAT, Spain	Expects approval for ISO 9001 in 2002	Modules and system testing.
CIEFES, Senegal		Starting development
CDER, Morocco		Installing equipment for systems and battery testing.