TÜV SÜD America, RETC LLC to Provide Photovoltaics Testing and Certification

(TÜV SÜD: Peabody, MA) -- TÜV SÜD America Inc. has announced a cooperation agreement with Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC LLC), an engineering services and test provider based in Fremont, California. Through this cooperation, RETC will provide TÜV SÜD a global partner for testing and certification for photovoltaics (PV) and renewable energy products, including third-party outdoor performance and reliability testing.

RETC will complement TÜV SÜD's strategy to deliver one-stop shop capabilities for the growth of PV testing and certification services. The RETC-TÜV SÜD America partnership will help accelerate TÜV SÜD's plan to establish a strong foothold in the global solar energy market by obtaining accreditation to UL 1703 in addition to TÜV SÜD's existing accreditation to IEC 61215, IEC 61646, IEC 61730, and UL 1741. 

RETC, located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, will leverage its semiconductor-experienced engineers and process knowledge, Silicon Valley's infrastructure, and the solar energy market growth in the U.S. to provide a unique advantage. Furthermore, the passing of the Federal stimulus package indicates that the demand for PV services in the United States will continue to increase significantly over the next several years.

"With the lengthy turn-around times of PV testing and certification both in the U.S. and globally, the RETC management team believes that this is constraining the advancement of solar energy technologies," says Alelie Funcell, president and CEO of RETC. "This PV testing bottleneck offers a strategic market entry opportunity for RETC to ramp up its planned testing capabilities starting in North America. Partnering with TÜV SÜD, who is recognized for its global presence and expertise in testing, inspection, and certification services, will propel RETC into achieving the required accreditations and certifications. TÜV SÜD's brand name and prestige will provide RETC with solid market acceptance."

The collaboration with RETC reinforces our commitment to increase safety and value for our customers, says Karsten Xander, TÜV SÜD America's president and CEO. "More importantly, it combines RETC's rigorous, high-quality, process-driven semiconductor thinking, resulting in a mature, experienced partner to help navigate through the very new, complex, and rapidly growing PV market," she concludes.

For more information on TÜV SÜD America's Photovoltaics Testing, visit: http://tuvamerica.com/services/photovoltaics.cfm

About The Author

TÜV SÜD America Inc.

TÜV SÜD America Inc., a subsidiary of TÜV SÜD AG (the largest of German TÜVs) is a business-to-business engineering services firm providing international safety testing and certification services. Founded in 1987, TÜV SÜD America has more than a dozen locations throughout North America with corporate headquarters in Peabody, Massachusetts. Operating under the brand names of Product Service, Management Service, Industry Service, Automotive and PetroChem, TÜV SÜD America has partnered with thousands of companies throughout the NAFTA region, assuring product and management systems excellence, and acceptance in the global marketplace.