CNPV Solar Power SA, a public limited liability company organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products, announced that it has passed external, independent testing and certification for Ammonia and Salt Mist Corrosion Resistance.
With the continuous expansion and the technological advancement of photovoltaics worldwide, special issues take on additional importance for manufacturers as well as for buyers and investors. This includes extreme exposure to salty air, as well as exposure to ammonia. Longevity of installation is being investigated in greater depth, with references to historical data, accelerated aging and developing industry standards to establish viable, credible criteria for evaluation.
The IEC ammonia standard is currently at draft stage, and considers existing standards for electrical systems, coating corrosion protection and sulphur dioxide contamination of metal surfaces (ISO 12944, ISO 3231, ISO 6988 and DIN 50018 in particular). The current approved test is named 2PFG. The test subjects the modules to extreme concentrations of ammonia and observes any degradation present. It also checks the modules against power loss, and retention of insulation properties. CNPV passed these tests with flying colours when evaluated by TUV Rheinland.
The salt mist corrosion test is carried out in accordance to IEC61701 ed 2. The modules are exposed to high concentrations of salt mist, both continually and intermittently, to simulate extreme possible exposures in use. The samples are also held at high temperatures and humidity and the test is closed by observing any degradation, power loss, or loss of insulation. Again, CNPV's performance in these tests was exemplary.
'Our own testing had already established our performance against these criteria,' confirmed Mr Bypina Veerraju Chaudary, CNPV's COO & CTO. 'As part of our strategy to deliver more, for longer, we are continually evaluating our performance with many, and any suitable method, we have at our disposal. Our customers' requirements for long term performance is real and justified, as the cost of replacement has unacceptable ramifications on their profit generation during the life of a project. To that end we also require independent evaluation and certification to provide even more credible statements of performance which provides additional comfort for investors and our customers.'
As a result of the time elements associated with these tests, CNPV has chosen to make this announcement after official notification from the testing bodies and prior to full receipt of all the associated certificates. Such is the importance of these authorized confirmations, and the impact on this positive data for customers, awaiting the paper certificates could be detrimental to customers' opportunities within the suppressed market.