Germany’s TÜV Rheinland said it has certified an OPV product to the IEC 61215 standard for the first time.
This standard is the most popular standard for the solar energy market and defines the basics requirements for the design approval and qualification process of terrestrial PV modules designed for long-term use in outdoor climates. TÜV Rheinland said it has awarded the certification to an OPV film developed by German manufacturer Heliatek.
“TÜV Rheinland has been guiding Heliatek for several years on its way to an increasingly robust, stable and safer product,” says Eckart Janknecht, solar energy expert at TÜV Rheinland. “After continuous development over the past years, we have now managed to successfully certify the first product according to the world’s most important standards for the PV industry.”
Achieving consensus on BIPV and what makes it different from conventional rooftop PV technology is one of the challenges facing the emerging industry as it seeks to move from niche to mainstream.
IEA-PVPS recently published a report to bring together developments from different parts of the world in a clear set of standards. It clearly defined the functions of different products, in terms of their role as building material and energy generator. At the system level, the report lists three main types of BIPV systems: roof, facade and externally integrated devices.
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