CSA Group's First Photovoltaic Laboratory Settled in Kunshan

January 11, 2012 - CSA Group, a leading global provider of leading standards development and test certification services, today announced the establishment of an advanced photovoltaic module testing and certification laboratory in Kunshan City, Jiangsu Province. The first lab for the photovoltaic industry. The new laboratory is located in the Kunshan National Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone and will accelerate the provision of localized product testing and certification services for domestic photovoltaic companies, helping them to explore the international market.

The new laboratory covers an area of ​​1,000 square meters and will primarily test and certify PV modules, grid-connected inverters and their accessories in accordance with North American and IEC standards. Among them, the laboratory will have 100 KW photovoltaic grid-connected inverter testing capabilities, and can complete IEEE 1547 and IEEE 1547.1 grid-connected characterization tests. The laboratory is equipped with experienced professional test certification personnel, and will introduce advanced testing and certification equipment, including 6A class 3mx3m transient light source simulator and BBA class 2.2mx 2.6m steady state light source simulator, and plans In the next 3-5 years, the performance of photovoltaic modules and inverters will be tested.

With the rapid development of the new energy industry in the world, China's solar photovoltaic industry has emerged as the world's largest exporter, with more than 90% of its products exported to key markets such as North America and Europe. In China's huge photovoltaic market, Jiangsu Province undoubtedly occupies half of the country. According to statistics, Jiangsu Province currently has more than 600 photovoltaic companies. In 2010, the photovoltaic industry in Jiangsu Province achieved a total industrial output value of 198.8 billion yuan, which is close to 2/3 of the national total output value. Kunshan High-tech Zone is an important carrier for Kunshan and even Jiangsu to vigorously implement independent innovation, accelerate the gathering of high-tech industries, and promote the transformation of economic development methods.

Mr. Ash Sahi, President and CEO of CSA Group stated: "CSA is committed to providing customers with efficient and convenient testing and certification services, and working closely with partners to achieve a win-win situation. The establishment of the first photovoltaic laboratory is our focus. Another example of further strengthening the development in China in the Chinese market is that Kunshan and its surrounding areas such as Suzhou and Changzhou are highly concentrated areas of the photovoltaic industry, and there is a strong demand for testing and certification services, and the establishment of the laboratory will also be satisfactory. This demand for photovoltaic companies in the region, and with the further development of the photovoltaic industry and relying on the strong support of the Kunshan municipal government, we are full of confidence in the future development of this laboratory."

According to Secretary of Huang Jian from Kunshan High-tech Zone, “CSA Group is a well-known standard setting organization in North America and one of the most authoritative testing and certification organizations in the world. It enjoys a high reputation throughout the certification industry. CSA Group chose Kunshan Hi-tech Zone. It is a great honour for us to establish our first photovoltaic laboratory in China, and we believe that the completion of this laboratory will bring high promotion to the entire new energy industry in China, especially the standards setting and product testing and certification of the photovoltaic industry. The role will also provide more convenient testing and certification services for domestic photovoltaic product manufacturers."

CSA has advanced expertise in photovoltaic equipment testing and certification. In 2007, CSA began to engage in the certification of inverters, and in 2008 it expanded to the testing and certification of photovoltaic modules. In 2009, CSA formally established the world's first solar photovoltaic laboratory in Vancouver. In April 2011, CSA partnered with VDE, Fraunhofer ISE and Fraunhofer CSE to establish a CFV solar test laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In China, CSA can currently test and certify solar panels, control panels, inverters, tracking devices, and convergence boxes based on CSA, UL, and IEC standards.