Fraunhofer to Launch Laboratory for Photovoltaic Modules Testing in New Mexico

Fraunhofer, by means of a joint venture initiative with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Group and the VDE Institute, has selected Albuquerque, New Mexico for setting up a novel worldwide test laboratory for PV modules.

Each second, the surface of the earth receives so much energy from the sun that it would satisfy the energy need requirements of the entire humankind for half a day. All energy problems would find a solution if only scientists and researchers succeed in tapping this enormous potential at a reasonable cost and in an effective manner. In terms of growth rate, one of the industries with the fastest growth is the photovoltaics sector.

The main goal of this laboratory is to make international certification and testing services available for PV module manufacturers located in North America. This novel testing center has been termed as the CFV Solar Test Laboratory and is likely to be equipped with the most recent technologies and will constantly be updated with sophisticated research in the area. This will make sure, for instance, that modules which are based on concentrator systems or thin-film technologies can be tested. The testing center thus complements activities in the area of photovoltaic certification and testing for ensuring good quality PV modules.