The global photovoltaic industry association Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International has adopted a standard testing method from Taiwan for solar modules under vibrating conditions, according to the Industrial Technology Research Institute Oct. 4.
The method was developed by ITRI and 12 Taiwan-based photovoltaic companies to accurately measure the scale of vibrations that could influence and even damage solar modules during transportation.
“The adoption enables Taiwan manufacturers to produce PV cells, modules and systems that comply with international standards,” said Duann Jia-ruey, director of the ITRI Center for Measurement Standards.
“It will also help lower the number of defective units incurred during air, land or sea transport,” Duann said.
The institute said current domestic regulations require PV module makers to guarantee their products for 20 to 30 years of use, so protection from damage in transit is very important. The testing standard will not only cut after-sale costs but is expected to speed up the development of technology for protection of solar module packages during transport.
Terry Tsao, president of SEMI Taiwan and Southeast Asia, said, “Given that the standard will be introduced to other SEMI members, Taiwan may well be able to tap into new PV markets around the world.”
SEMI has a membership of more than 2,000 companies and organizations across five continents. It is responsible for establishing and coordinating international standards in the PV, light-emitting diode, flat panel display and other electronic industries.
ITRI said solar cells from Taiwan and mainland China accounted for 62 percent of the world’s total output in 2010. This number is expected to grow to 80 percent this year.
The standard was first proposed by a Taiwanese research team 18 months ago, and passed in September with more than 60 votes from representatives from Japan, Europe and the U.S. Taiwan companies involved in the work include AU Optronics Corp., King Design Industrial Co. Ltd. and a2peak power Co. Ltd. (THN)
Write to Aaron Hsu at pj1210meister@mail.gio.gov.tw