First solar module test labs in Southeast Asia launched

Joyce Hooi, Business Times 19 Jan 10;

THE Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (Seris) announced the inauguration of South-east Asia's first solar module testing and certification laboratories yesterday.

The laboratories are the product of a collaboration between Seris and VDE-ISE Pte Ltd - a joint venture between the Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE).

According to Joachim Luther, the chief executive officer of Seris, these laboratories will serve a dual purpose.

They will be used in performance testing for solar photovoltaic (PV) module certification in collaboration with VDE and ISE, as well as by Seris for its own research and development work on PV module technologies.

'With Seris' know-how in the field of solar energy we are able to offer performance testing of PV modules according to international standards. These tests and certification for the industry will qualify modules for the market,' said Prof Luther.

'Our aims are to increase the durability of industrial modules - which for certified modules is already more than 20 years - and to considerably reduce the cost of PV module encapsulation.'

Module technology currently accounts for about 20 per cent of the cost of solar technology.

Seris is also poised to adapt PV products to the challenges of local conditions through its research, according to Edwin Khew, chairman of the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore.

'So far, PV products that have evolved in the market are for temperate climates. However, now, Seris will play a valuable role in applied research and development towards optimising PV components and systems for tropical conditions,' said Mr Khew.

Last month, Seris signed a $2 million research and development contract with Norwegian solar energy firm Renewable Energy Corporation to increase the efficiency of silicon wafer solar cells.