Singapore's First ISO-Certified PV Module Testing Laboratory

SERIS’ ISO 17025:2005 certified PV Module Testing Laboratory with its state-of-the-art technology will serve the region’s rapidly growing solar energy industry.

Singapore (I-Newswire) February 14, 2013 - The Photovoltaic Module Testing (PVMT) Laboratory at the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) has successfully passed the certification according to the ISO 17025:2005 standard. This is the highest level of certification for testing laboratories and specifies the general requirements for the competence to carry out tests and calibrations, including sampling. The ISO certification covers testing and calibration performed using standard methods, non-standard methods and laboratory-developed methods. SERIS’ ISO17025:2005 certificate has been awarded by the Singapore Accreditation Council.

“Large economies in the region such as China and India are increasingly looking to solar energy to meet their power requirements, and major photovoltaic investments can only be secured with testing conducted for quality assurance,” said SERIS CEO Professor Armin Aberle.

SERIS as a leading institute for solar energy research, and with a strong focus on solar applications in the tropics, also offers research, development and testing for PV modules and building-integrated PV (BIPV). Dr Thomas Reindl, the Cluster Director of PV Modules at SERIS added that “SERIS is poised to conduct testing on photovoltaic modules designed to meet the harsher tropical climate conditions of the equatorial region. For that we also work closely with the various component suppliers to ensure durability and reliability of the modules over their expected lifetime of more than 25 years."

The PVMT Laboratory performs standard and non-standard (customised) testing services for industry clients. Together with its certification partner VDE-ISE Pte Ltd, SERIS offers the full suite of certification tests for PV modules according to IEC standards 61215, 61646 and 61730, as well as the relevant UL and CEC standards.

At the SERIS PV Module Testing Laboratory, the SOLAR STEP* methods are employed which cover a wide range of reliability and durability testing needs of PV modules. “We are pleased to announce that the SERIS PV Module Testing laboratory is now ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 certified. Our testing facility is equipped with the latest technology and proven methodologies to assess the durability and performance of PV modules for industry,” said Kenneth Goh, Head of PV Module Testing at SERIS.

* ‘SOLAR STEP’ is the acronym for a full suite of test methods offered at SERIS' PVMT laboratory. Please visit http://www.seris.sg/main/ourservices/1262/PV_Module_Performance_Analysis.html for further details.