TUV Rhineland solar expands in Asia
Cologne, Germany, June 1, 2007
Source: United Press International
http://www.upi.com/Energy/Briefing/2007/06/01/
Germany-based Rheinland Group announced plans to expand its operations in Asia. Around 70 percent of all solar module manufacturers have their products tested for durability and energy efficiency at the TUV Rheinland Group’s Cologne laboratory. The global service provider for quality and safety will invest about $4.7 million in the further development and expansion of new laboratory capacities in Asia by the end of 2008, Carbon Free News reported.
Bruno O. Braun, president and chief executive officer of the TUV Rheinland Group, announced these plans Thursday at the opening of the newly expanded Global Technology Assessment Center in Yokohama, Japan. “The market for photovoltaic technology is currently growing by 20 to 30 percent per year, with especially strong development in Germany, Japan and USA,” Braun said. “Growth fields include the production of technological components and the generation of solar power. That is why it makes sense to add further test centers to our extensive facilities in Germany for this innovative technology.”
TUV Rheinland officials say by the end of 2008, a new testing center modeled on the Cologne facilities will also be built in China. Further laboratories are planned in countries such as Taiwan and India. Since 1995 TUV Rheinland has been testing solar modules for safety and durability. The modules are subjected to sunlight, hailstorms and continuous rain. High humidity and temperature fluctuations are also simulated in special chambers.