Germany based global solar industry testing and quality certification agency TUV Rheinland has introduced a new certification for solar simulator manufacturers and awarded the 1st one to MBJ Solutions' MBJ Sun Simulator 4.0, including the WIDE/ECO/MAX variants of the German manufacturer.
Based on the standard of the International Electromechanical Commission (IEC) 60904-9:2020, the newly developed standard by TUV Rheinland additionally takes into account important aspects of quality assurance. The revised certification that the German agency now offers is classified for turnkey solar simulator systems for PV modules and solar cell measurements as 2PfG 2788/12.21.
TUV Rheinland scrutinizes the variation in technical performance between different systems of the same type, while also analyzing the possible effects of lamp changes along with special effects that may occur during the specified lifetime of the lamps.
"The neutrality of environmental influences at the respective installation site is also a component of this extended test, as is the existence of a calibration management system and an appropriate calibration service," explained TUV Rheinland. "The extended scope of the certification also includes a review of technical documentation, training measures, troubleshooting instructions, and service and maintenance instructions."
In February 2021, TUV Rheinland and MBJ co-developed a compact, dismountable, mobile PV laboratory to test solar modules onsite (see MBJ & TUV Rheinland Co-Develop PV TravelLab).