Taiwan's government-sponsored Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) on September 7 held the opening ceremony for its Photovoltaics Test Laboratory which will provide IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) 61215 testing and certification services for local PV module makers at a cost one-third less than overseas certification and in much less time, according to ITRI.
The Photovoltaics Technology Center has obtained CBTL qualification from the IECEE through cooperation with Germany-based TUV Rheinland, ITRI pointed out.
The laboratory is capable of conducting tests for 18 items under IEC 61215 (crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules-design qualification and type approval), including module breakage, hail impact, outdoor exposure and ultraviolet preconditioning under various temperature, sunlight, wind speed and humidity conditions, ITRI indicated. About 80% of the testing equipment at the laboratory was developed by ITRI through cooperation with local makers, ITRI noted. The equipment is also available for use by local PV module makers for pretests during product development, ITRI added.
In addition to IEC 61215, ITRI aims to gain IEC 61646 (thin-film silicon terrestrial PV modules-design qualification and type approval) CBTL qualification, with completion slated for the end of 2009, and will set up IEC 61730 (PV module safety qualification) testing in 2010, ITRI pointed out.
Article translated by Adam Hwang
