Product News: TÜV Rheinland Solar Thermal Services

(TÜV Rheinland: Newtown, CT) --  TÜV Rheinland PTL LLC, North America’s largest solar and photovoltaic testing center, will unveil its Solar Thermal and Combined Heating Power (CHP) Systems services, including domestic and international testing and certification, at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, Nov. 11–13.

The Solar Thermal Service includes inspection and quality assurance for the manufacture, fabrication, installation, and in-service examination of solar thermal collectors and associated subsystems. TÜV Rheinland PTL can test and certify systems slated to be sold in the European Union (EU) or North American markets.

“Modern solar thermal technology has very high conversion efficiency and can displace electricity usage effectively,” says Matthias Heinze, director of technology at TÜV Rheinland. “Testing within the state of Arizona, which has more than 300 days of sunshine per year, enables us to test on an accelerated schedule. TÜV Rheinland guarantees competent, unbiased, and independent verification of data important to consumers, investors, and commercial users. This is why TÜV Rheinland is the most trusted name in solar testing.”

Testing services using the latest in innovative solar testing technologies assures Solar Thermal, Photovoltaic, CPC, sterling, and CSP Systems comply with electrical, mechanical, and environmental requirements. To help companies achieve available incentives and subsidies, TÜV Rheinland PTL also provides third-party verification of long-band, short-term performance data.

“Harnessing the power of the sun to generate electricity and heat has become a part of the national agenda,” says Rich Bozicevich, vice president of business development at TÜV Rheinland PTL. “Several U.S. states are giving businesses and homeowners financial incentives for installing solar panels and other collection devices. Yet, some products do not last their 25-year warranties. Assuring these devices operate according to specification has become a powerful stamp of approval for many manufacturers.”

For companies wanting to export their products to the EU, TÜV Rheinland PTL offers Solar Keymark certification services. Solar Keymark is a voluntary certification scheme that shows the product complies with European standards. The Keymark is supported by the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation and is a valid CEN certification mark. As a European Notified Body, TÜV Rheinland PTL can also test to the applicable IEC, EN, ANSI, ISO, UL, or ASHRAE standards.

TÜV Rheinland is a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory and is certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corp. to perform solar thermal testing and performance verification required by the North American market.

For unlisted equipment, field evaluation services can be provided at the installation site in North America, and EC-type certification can be provided for EU-installed equipment.

TÜV Rheinland PTL is a unique partnership with Arizona State University, an institution with more than 50 years of research on solar energy and extensive solar testing know-how. TÜV Rheinland PTL tests and certifies renewable energy products including solar, wind, hydrogen, and storage technologies. Today, the laboratory, in tandem with TÜVRheinland’s global network of solar laboratories, tests about 50 percent of the world’s solar conversion devices.

For more information about TÜV Rheinland, call (888) 743-4652.

About The Author

TÜV Rheinland PTL

TÜV Rheinland Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory (PTL) LLC is a world-renowned facility for photovoltaic (PV) technology testing located in Tempe, Arizona, USA. TÜV Rheinland PTL is a partnership between the TÜVRheinland, a $1.5 billion USD provider of independent testing, assessment, and certification services for industry; and Arizona State University (ASU), one of the leading research and educational institutions in the USA. Locally, the ASU’s photovoltaic have been providing testing services to the photovoltaic (solar) power marketplace since 1992. TÜV Rheinland PTL, is an ISO 17025-accredited facility by the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA).