Excellent! TÜV Rheinland distinguishes Sharp PV Module

In Germany use of solar energy to produce electrical power has already developed to a success story and photovoltaic products have become a highly dynamic market. Hundreds of manufacturers offer thousands of different types of modules. Since long service life is particularly important for PV modules, TÜV Rheinland has developed an independent test certificate with high standards in cooperation with Solarpraxis AG(1): The testers examined and evaluated a total of 25 parameters and distinguished the Sharp NU-180E1 PV module with the rating "excellent (-)".

 

Proven durability even under severe conditions of use.

For Sharp the excellent results in this new comparison test are further confirmation of the company's solar product strategy. "We are very pleased to receive this distinction for our photovoltaic modules from TÜV Rheinland and Solarpraxis AG and appreciate the new transparency created by introduction of this seal of quality”, stated Peter Thiele, Executive Vice President of Sharp Energy Solution Europe. "This award proves that our modules not only meet the state-of-the-art technically, but that they prov

Sharp has over 50 years of experience in the field of photovoltaics and silicon crystal solar technology and was the only manufacturer to participate in the comparison tests with a mono-crystalline module – The robust and convincing NU-180E1  has a power rating of 180 W, an efficiency of 13.7 percent and special layout for applications with particularly high performance requirements. The distinguished module produces a continuous, reliable yield even under demanding ambient conditions and is suitable for grid-coupled systems. Moreover, under the product designation NU-180E1H, it is also available with an easily modified module frame, making it even lighter.

Test provides greater transparency

The new testing procedure used by TÜV Rheinland closes the gap between previous, consumer-oriented tests, which were frequently published at intervals of several years, and the requirements for a transparent and up-to-date seal of quality. This particularly demanding testing procedure includes, among other things, extensive testing in climatic chambers to examine the module's resistance to aging. In contrast to the IEC (International Electro-technical Commission) testing requirement of 1,000 hours, this test requires exposure of the modules to an extreme atmosphere for 1,500 hours.

The resulting best rating list provides final consumers with an orientation aid for making a purchasing decision, while inciting manufacturers to make improvements, where applicable. The results of this test series will be published for the first time in February 2011 and then at regular intervals in the trade journals published by Solarpraxis AG: Photovoltaik and PV Magazin.

Further information on the tests results is also available here:
http://www.photovoltaik.eu/