At TestLab PV Modules, founded in 2006, Fraunhofer ISE conducts the tests specified in IEC and European standards for type approvals.
© Fraunhofer ISE
Embedded within Fraunhofer ISE’s unique R&D infrastructure, we offer a wide range of independent testing services for PV modules in our accredited testing laboratory. In addition to comprehensive testing for the certification of PV modules according to international standards such as IEC 61215 and IEC 61730, our services also include customer- and technology-specific investigations into module reliability, as well as precise characterization of power output and operational performance.
Investigating the reliability and longevity of materials and components for the energy transition has always been a high priority within Fraunhofer ISE’s research activities. With the strong boom in the German PV industry in the early 2000s, the focus increasingly shifted to materials for the production of PV modules. As a result, the growing need for infrastructure for product certification led to the opening of what is now the TestLab PV Modules. As early as 2005, the laboratory received accreditation as a testing laboratory in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025. In 2006, it also received status of a a Certification Body Test Laboratory (CBTL) under the IECEE scheme. Since then, we have been authorized to issue test reports for certification with international recognition. As a result, we operate one of the first accredited PV testing laboratories in Europe and can draw on a wealth of experience regarding the operational and aging behavior of PV modules in the laboratory and in the field.
Power measurements as part of the TestLab PV Modules testing services are performed by our accredited calibration laboratory, CalLab PV Modules. Together, this combination forms a globally unique infrastructure that enjoys the highest international recognition.
Together with our customers, we develop customized solutions to ensure and verify the quality of modules before they are deployed in the field. To do this, we draw on our portfolio of performance and reliability tests and combine them with innovative analytical methods to quickly and reliably identify any weaknesses or deviations from specifications.
Since the formal framework conditions and technological aspects of individual PV projects vary significantly, we place great importance on providing personalized consultation and defining priorities in advance. Please feel free to contact us for a consultation.
Product certification in accordance with the most important standards (IEC 61215 and EN/IEC 61730) is a prerequisite for successful market access for PV modules.
Since time is a critical factor in bringing a product to market, we help our clients implement the entire process as efficiently as possible in terms of both time and cost.
To ensure that our test reports are recognized by international certification bodies, we are accredited as a Certification Body Testing Laboratory under IECEE 01:2014-11 and IECEE 02:2012-06 in accordance with the IECEE-CB Scheme.
For yield forecasts and technology comparisons, we conduct comprehensive, high-precision characterization tests on PV modules.
These include:
Our range of services also includes calculating the Energy Rating in accordance with the IEC 61853 series of standards, as well as creating or verifying PAN files.
Unfortunately, problems with PV modules occur time and again in the field. We help our customers understand the causes of damage or assess the long-term consequences. Our laboratory’s integration into Fraunhofer ISE’s comprehensive analytical capabilities and equipment supports us in this effort. With our detailed and clearly written reports, we aim to help solve these problems. Our reports are frequently used as the basis for expert opinions in court proceedings. Please feel free to contact us for an assessment of your PV modules.
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
