Global mark of quality for solar energy industry
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the leading organization in International Electrotechnical Standards and Certification for renewable energies is now the provider of a quality mark for the photovoltaic industry.
Under an agreement between the IECEE, the IEC’s worldwide system for conformity testing and certification of electrotechnical equipment and components, and PV GAP, the Global Approval Program for Photovoltaics, the IECEE is now the exclusive issuer of the PV GAP Mark. The Mark is the worldwide reference for manufacturers and suppliers of photovoltaic components and equipment. It ensures that solar equipment and components are manufactured to IEC International Standards.
The IEC has been an ardent supporter of renewable energies since it was founded in 1906, developing standards in areas such as wind turbines, hydroelectricity and solar energy. With this agreement, signed under the auspices of the World Bank, the IEC , through its flagship Conformity Assessment Scheme, the IECEE, is taking its commitment to solar energy one step further.
The market for photovoltaic power applications is expanding rapidly. A report published by the International Energy Agency(1) shows that the cumulative installed generating capacity in selected countries grew by 36% in 2006. The total photovoltaic cell production volume for 2006 was reported to be about 1 900 MW, an increase of 27% from 2005.
While until recently, the PV GAP Mark could also be delivered by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) in Europe and Power Mark in the USA, the agreement stipulates that from now on, the IECEE is the exclusive provider of the PV Mark through its National Certification Bodies (NCBs), PV GAP retaining overall responsibility. By the end of 2008, PV GAP will transfer ownership of the PV GAP Mark to the IEC-IECEE and the NCBs members of the IECEE. The IECEE National Certification Bodies will then be responsible for the mark in their countries, and therefore be able to issue certificates and guarantee that certified manufacturers can label products with the PV GAP Mark.
The products covered primarily include photovoltaicmodules but there may be other products falling under the scope of the IEC International Standards developed by IEC Technical Committee 82: Solar photovoltaic energy systems.
IECEE Executive Secretary Pierre de Ruvo says: “The PV GAP Mark takes the conformity assessment of photovoltaics further to the next level where safety and performance against International Standards are a reality.” Asked about the number of certificates issued, de Ruvo said: “The starting point will be once we advertise to the public and relevant parties. The number of certificates issued is not really relevant in the PV field since one certificate may cover millions of solar panels.”
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