UL emphasizes the need for Photovoltaic (PV) modules certification as it gains momentum in India

UL creates a platform to discuss opportunities on PV modules certification

Mumbai, Jan 14, 2008: UL India Pvt. Ltd, the Indian subsidiary of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL), a global leader in product safety standards development and certification, is exploring opportunities to promote the need for IEC (International Electrotechnical Committee) certification of Photovoltaic (PV) modules.

UL successfully organized a seminar on “IEC Certification of PV Modules” in partnership with The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) and Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) recently. Their primary focus is to create awareness among the manufacturers of Photo Voltaic (Solar Energy) products in India on the performance and safety requirements of PV systems. Due to the growing demand for clean sources of energy, the manufacture of solar cells and photovoltaic modules has expanded dramatically in recent years. Photovoltaic production has been doubling every two years, increasing by an average of 48 percent each year since 2002, making it the world’s fastest-growing energy technology.

On this occasion, Mr. T.C Tripathi, Adviser, MNRE mentioned that they have announced a “Generation Based Incentive Scheme for Grid Interactive solar power generation projects”, which will support Grid Interactive Solar Power Generation projects as demonstration projects in the country. The Ministry will consider support for a maximum capacity up to 50 MW during the 11th plan period. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) will assist the Ministry in fund handling, monitoring and other associated activities in this regard. This scheme requires the products used in grid connected systems like PV Modules, Cables, Electronic Controls etc., be certified to IEC or other international standards like UL.

India is emerging as a major R&D and manufacturing hub for solar products. Several companies are setting up multimillion-dollar facilities to manufacture Photovoltaic cells, modules & systems. Most of these products are exported to Europe, which is today the largest market for solar products. The European markets demand these products to be certified to appropriate IEC (International Electrotechnical Committee) standards for performance & safety.

According to Mr R.A. Venkitachalam, Vice President and Managing Director of UL Emerging Markets, “Solar Energy is poised for a exponential growth globally, especially in a power starved region like India, which is blessed with abundant sunshine throughout the year. This exponential growth of Solar Energy generation would throw up a challenge in terms of ensuring the performance and safety of such systems. UL, with its rich experience in PV Certification will be able to address the quality, performance and safety of Solar Energy Systems being installed in India.

UL is the only National Certification Body (NCB) in the United States that is qualified to recognize and issue CB certificate for PV products under the CB scheme. In addition to providing PV manufacturers the trusted UL certification mark, UL also offers services such as conducting IEC compliance tests for PV products and issuing CB certifications to compliant products. UL plans to partner with the growing community of solar start-ups and existing companies who are bringing new technology, including thin-film PV, concentrated solar power and other cell technologies into mainstream production.

Mr V.P Hiremath, Managing Director, KREDL stated, “Innovations in solar energy are happening everyday and PV technology is fast growing in India, hence arises the need and importance for safety certification standards”

UL India Private Limited is one of the world’s largest Conformity Assessment Service Providers backed by more than a century of experience in product testing and inspection; UL has assessed, tested or inspected billions of products, systems and processes. A key part of UL’s mission is to foster quality assurance and improvement, whilst maintaining its reputation for professionalism and integrity. UL India was established as a wholly owned subsidiary in 1998 and is increasingly on its way to becoming the leader in third party product-safety testing and certification in India.

About MNRE:

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) is the nodal Ministry of the Government of India for all matters relating to new and renewable energy. The broad aim of the Ministry is to develop and deploy new and renewable energy for supplementing the energy requirements of the country.

About KREDL:

Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL) is an organization devoted entirely to the promotion of non-conventional energy sources in Karnataka. Their aim is to promote projects for harnessing energy from wind, small hydro, biomass, solar energy and energy recovery from wastes through private investment. The company advises the Government of Karnataka on policies to be adopted for ensuring a systematic and balanced growth of projects for harnessing renewable energy sources.

About UL:

Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a 112-year old company headquartered in the US, has done years of extensive research in its facilities to develop safety standards for everyday equipment used in homes, offices, industries, even hospitals and oil rigs. UL India Pvt. Ltd. is an affiliate of UL Inc., with its headquarters at Bangalore. It services more than 1200 customers in India and has an employee base of over 150. UL Inc., headquartered in Northbrook, Chicago, has over 6000 employees in over 66 labs and offices across the globe. More than 20 billion products carry the UL mark today.

For further details, please contact:

Divya Narayan

UL India Pvt. Ltd

Tel: 080 – 41384400

Email: divya.narayan {at} in.ul(.)com