STS, the industry leader in PV modules quality control, announces today the release of its final version of the standard STS-STD-PVM1:2018© for Approval of PV Modules Manufacturing and Dispatch.
This Standard is unique in the way it finally enables PV modules suppliers and buyers apply specific requirements during production and dispatch to qualify PV modules quality.
The goal of this Standard is to draw the requirements for manufacturing, dispatch, inspection undertaken at manufacturing premises, and related testing activities taking place at ISO17025 accredited laboratories. It does not aim to replace but instead to complement the established IEC and UL standards, taking into account the reality of PV modules conditions during mass-production.
STS-STD-PVM1:2018© has been developed based on existing standards, known limitations, extensive internal research, extended reliability testing and technical debates with manufacturers involved. More than 5GWp of manufacturing witness experience by STS has been used as one critical input baseline in addressing the reliability and practicality of the Standard, to both secure quality and performance for Buyers while addressing challenges faced by manufacturers.
Alexandre Minuzzo, President of STS further explains:
“While IEC and UL standards are references to qualify PV modules design, safety and performance relative to specific environments, buyers and lenders are confronted to the challenge of validating the quality of modules coming out of the production line. Manufacturers had to define their own control methods and acceptance criteria as many of those are not addressed by such international standards. Consulting agencies have brought requirements to the Buyers without solid basis for Buyers to be guaranteed of getting the products quality and performance they were betting their investment on.
For 8 years, STS has perceived and worked on addressing this situation that often lead to conflicts between Buyers and Manufacturers. Through our research, implementation of requirements at factories, feedback from producers, reliability tests analysis, we are now able to bridge this gap and offer consensus to all stakeholders. We have developed this Standard with the spirit that it must be practical and easy to execute to serve a quality-effective yet economic purpose. With STS-STD-PVM1:2018©, we finally bring the industry standard that was critically needed by the PV community to drastically reduce risks of underperforming PV modules and ensure financial returns of solar assets.”
STS team will provide further introduction of STS-STD-PVM1:2018© during SNEC in Shanghai from May 28th to 30th. Stakeholders are invited to visit STS booth located at Hall N1, booth number N1-693. Appointments can be made in advance by contacting Mr. Javie Yin at javie@stscertified.com. STS-STD-PVM1:2018© Standard can be ordered via STS website (www.sts-certified.com) or by contacting STS team at technical.support@sts-certified.com.
STS is a private entity specialized in quality assurance and quality control services. Since its creation, the organization has been focusing its efforts on addressing quality-related risks for end users and tackling undefined or ineffectively defined areas of manufacturing, dispatch and inspection by third parties.
For more information, contact info@sts-certified.com or visit our website at www.sts-certified.com.