The main standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission for photovoltaic (PV) modules are IEC 61215:2016 and IEC 61730:2016. New-Tek in Kyrgyzstan has passed this demanding certification with the support of Schmid. TÜV Rheinland carried out the tests.
“These certifications require a large number of intensive tests in our Cologne laboratory, such as mechanical, electrical, climatic and safety tests,” explains Dr. Eckart Janknecht, Project Manager for photovoltaic module qualifications at TÜV Rheinland. For example, the hot summers and cold winters as well as the daily temperature fluctuations in Kyrgyzstan are reflected in the tests, in particular the new climate test sequences, according to IEC 61215:2016. In addition to laboratory tests, on-site inspection is also mandatory for certification. This audit checks whether the manufacturer actually produces what has been tested by TÜV Rheinland, whether basic quality monitoring of the photovoltaic modules takes place and whether general quality requirements (based on ISO 9001) are met.
“It was a highlight to audit a module factory in the Central Asian landlocked state,” said the expert, who travelled to this region for the first time, where so far not too much industry is located. Another special feature was that the Schmid Group, headquartered in Freudenstadt, Baden-Württemberg, took over the complete machine production and installation and thus supplied the turnkey production line. “With the exception of minor deviations that were subsequently corrected, production ran smoothly and the modules passed the tests without any problems,” sums up Dr. Eckart Janknecht.
