• "VDE Quality Tested” seal of approval based on expanded standard
• Test procedure increases reliability and sustainability of photovoltaic modules

Together with experts from key manufacturers in the photovoltaic (PV) industry and its partner Fraunhofer-ISE, the VDE Institute has developed a new approach for validating PV modules that emphasizes a high degree of reliability. This new approach ensures an even higher level of quality in module testing and certification. Certification for the “VDE Quality Tested” seal of approval is conducted on the basis of a standard that is higher than those currently used in the industry. The first “VDE Quality Tested” certificate will be awarded to
Q-Cells and BP Solar at the Intersolar Fair 2011 in Munich. “With our more stringent requirements for the performance characteristics and our increased controls during the manufacturing process, we not only prove the safety of the product, but also ensure greater product sustainability,” explained Dipl.-Ing. Manfred Disser of the VDE Institute. The requirements developed by the VDE experts go well beyond existing standards and will be compiled into a VDE application rule in the future.

The VDE Institute in Offenbach, Germany, has developed its seal of approval to increase trust in the quality of PV modules by investors, operators and insurers. “It not only shows that a high degree of reliability and optimized functional safety has been attained, but also that continuous monitoring of the mass production manufacturing process at various plants ensures consistently high quality,” continued Disser. If all tests based on the relevant standards and additional requirements are passed, the VDE Testing and Certification Institute grants use of the “VDE Quality Tested” seal of approval.

Requirements that go above and beyond the well-known standards IEC 61215 (VDE 0126-31) design qualification and type approval of crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic modules; IEC 61730-1 and IEC 61730-2 (VDE 0126-30-1 and VDE 0126-30-2) photovoltaic module safety qualification, include, for example:

• Performance of tests with a higher number of samples
• Thermal-cycling test with higher number of cycles
• Damp-heat test with longer test time
• Dynamic mechanical load test
• In all tests, the maximum power degradation may not exceed 5 percent over the entire test sequence 
• Continual, monitored tests during production
• Continual monitoring of modules taken from production

Market participants profit from VDE seal of quality
“Our long international experience has shown that customer trust can be maintained only when independence, neutrality and quality are guaranteed without compromise,” stressed Disser. Brand-name manufacturers therefore want to spotlight their product quality that exceeds normal standards in order to gain market advantages. And users naturally profit from the improved reliability of the PV modules. Due to the growing demand for renewable energy, revenue volume of roughly US$40 billion is already being generated worldwide by the manufacture and installation of photovoltaic modules. According to experts, the US$100 billion mark could be reached by 2014. In this booming market, quick access to international users is increasingly decisive for both manufacturers and distributors. To satisfy growing demand, the VDE Institute in Offenbach has built up a global network of its own branches and close cooperations with international partners over the years. With the support of this network, electrical and electronic components can be tested and certified worldwide. In addition to operating testing centers for photovoltaic systems in Albuquerque (New Mexico), Freiburg (Germany), Shanghai and Singapore, the VDE Institute uses labs in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Taipei and Osaka. Overall, the VDE Testing and Certification Institute annually tests around 100,000 components and equipment for quality, safety and compliance with limit values.