BP Solar modules are now entitled to carry the Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE) ‘VDE Quality Tested’ seal, which will be displayed at this year’s Intersolar Europe international exhibition in Munich after the official certification award ceremony by the VDE.
In order to validate increased reliability and sustainability to solar energy investors, the VDE together with its partner Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE has developed a new quality level for the testing and certification of photovoltaic (PV) modules. As one of the key players in the PV industry, BP Solar has contributed substantially to the progress of the expanded VDE test approach.
“We are very proud being among the first PV companies receiving the new ‘VDE Quality Tested’ certificate. This is a terrific independent validation of the lower investment risks we provide to our customers due to the increased reliability and quality of our modules,” says David Arndt, Global Product Director at BP Solar.
The novel VDE test approach goes well beyond existing standards. It requires regular laboratory controls of modules with increased test time and sample rates that exceed international test standards.
The main enhancements over all existing standards are progressive manufacturing in-line quality tests controlled and audited by the VDE. Some of the defined in-line tests are required for 100 per cent of the modules produced.
“With nearly 40 years of experience in module design and testing we were pleased to support the ‘VDE Quality Tested’ initiative from the start by intensive sharing of our test results and experience,” explains Chris LaMothe, Product Development and Technology Director at BP Solar.
The VDE test procedure has been developed to prove increased reliability and durability as well as to validate lower degradation rates in modules. Compared with the test procedure of the IEC 61215 and IEC 61730, the VDE approach additionally requires the following enhancements.
