PV GAP: Global Approval Program for Photovoltaics. Newsletter, Volume 3, Number 1

PV GAP Secretariat; c/o IEC Central Office
3 rue de Varembé; Box 131
CH-1211 Geneva 20 - SWITZERLAND
Tel.: 41 22 919 0216 - Fax: 41 22 919 0300
E-mail: rk@iec.ch; URL:http://www.pvgap.org

In March 2000, the PV GAP Board unanimously approved a revised Mission Statement, reflecting the objectives and scope of activities of PV GAP and its evolution from an industry-driven organization to one with a broad base of support. The new Mission Statement reads as follows:

GLOBAL APPROVAL PROGRAM FOR PHOTOVOLTAICS (PV GAP) MISSION STATEMENT

"PV GAP, a not-for-profit international organization, is dedicated to the sustained growth of global photovoltaics (PV) markets to meet energy needs worldwide in an environmentally sound manner. Our mission is to promote and encourage the use of internationally accepted standards, quality management processes and organizational training in the design, fabrication, installation, sales and service of PV systems. To this end, we partner with PV and related industries, international organizations, testing laboratories, government agencies, financing institutions, non-governmental organizations, and private foundations, in developing and developed countries."

As reported in PV GAPNews (Volume 2, No.1) The World Bank (with PV GAP as the key counterpart organization) received financial assistance from the Government of The Netherlands to take a decisive stop forward to implement quality in PV products and systems globally, by development of training manuals and organizing training courses for PV manufacturers, testing laboratories, design improvement advisors, and installers.

PV GAP was responsible for writing the PV Manufacturers Quality Control Training Manual. The Manual details all the necessary components for quality manufacturing: Establishing an ISO 9000-compliant quality management system, knowing which international standards apply, working with testing labs and international standards organizations and obtaining and maintaining a Quality Mark (for PV components) and a Quality Seal (for PV systems). The Training Manual went through an extensive peer review process, to achieve effectiveness for manufacturers in developing countries. About 240 colored, illustrated and animated Viewgraphs have been developed for training courses for manufacturers. These can be used in overhead or computerized projectors. The Training Manuals and Viewgraphs are available from PV GAP in English, Chinese or Spanish.

PV GAP conducted a pilot training in India in November 1999. Summaries of this training and two subsequent courses held in South Africa and in China are described below.

Indian Pilot Training Course on Quality
By MM Bhardwaj (MD, REIL, Jaipur, India)

Rajasthan Electronics and Instrument Ltd. (REIL) has successfully organized in Jaipur, India, a two weeks World Bank funded training course titled "Mitigating Global Climate Change through the Development of a Quality Process Infrastructure for Renewable Energy" from October 4-15, 1999. The course comprised four modules covering: - Quality Manufacturing of PV Components and Systems, Design & design modifications of BOS Components; - Quality improvement of Testing Laboratories; - and Quality improvement of Installation & Maintenance of PV Systems. Foreign Participants from Sri Lanka, and China also attended the course, in addition to Indian participants from PV manufacturing & PV test Laboratories. The pilot course had successfully met the set objective of quality awareness amongst the BOS Designers, PV Manufacturers, PV Test Houses and was appreciated by all levels encompassing govt. agencies, manufacturers, test houses, etc. Total 8 participants from BOS Design Manufacturers, 12 from PV Manufacturers, 10 from PV Test Houses and 12 from Installation Practitioners attended the course. The Training Manual on Quality Manufacturing of PV Components and Systems was prepared for the World Bank by the Global Approval Program for PV (PV GAP). The course focused on the ISO 9000 series of standards for PV manufacturing and on the PV GAP quality approval system., The purpose of the Pilot Training was to obtain feedback from peer reviewers attending the presentations. On the basis of feedback the training course manuals were revised and updated. REIL presented "Report on Pilot Training Course", on Feb. 3, 2000 at the World Bank, Washington, D.C. The PV GAP quality training program for Indian PV Manufacturers was found very useful. To continue the training program in India, REIL prepared a proposal, which was co-partnered by the Indian Ministry of Quality Management (IIQM - Ministry of IT) and was recommended by the Indian Ministry of Non Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) - Government of India.

Chinese Hold Training Course on Quality Management of PV Manufacturing and on PV GAP
By Wang Sicheng (Jike Energy, Beijing)

From February 20-25, 2000, the China National Institute of Standardization of CSBTS and the Beijing Jike Energy New Technology Development Company held a Quality Management Training Course in Beijing. This Activity was supported by the World Bank and the Project Management Office of the China Renewable Energy Development Project of SETC. The main purposes of the training were to spread the knowledge of the ISO 9000 series of standards and the PV GAP quality system to Chinese enterprises that manufacture photovoltaic modules and components and are linked to or participate in the GEF/World Bank-assisted China Renewable Energy Development Project. As they develop or improve their Quality Assurance Systems, these enterprises can participate and compete more effectively by utilizing the PV GAP system (PV Quality Mark and Seal).

The 46 participants attending the training course represented manufacturing enterprises, producing photovoltaic modules and components, as well as some research institutes and companies selling photovoltaic products. Trainees came from all parts of China. Most were leaders of their units. Participants showed keen interest in PV GAP, which they considered valuable to improve their product quality and management capabilities, necessary for effective participation in internationald and domestic markets.

South African Training Course on Quality Management of PV Manufacturing and on PV GAP
By Prof. A van der Linde PE Technikon, SA and R Dominguez, training facilitator, USA

The PV GAP program took a major step forward during a very successful training course held from February 28-March 4, 2000 in Midrand, South Africa. Apart from the main actors in the PV industry and suppliers, the Department of Minerals and Energy, Eskom, the South African Accreditation System, the Electrical Contracting Industries Training Board were also present. Representatives from Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Uganda and Zimbabwe also participated.

The Workshop was caracterized by animated involvement of all the participants, with full expression of view, and educational process for all concerned. As a result of the Workshop, several companies have decided to implement quality assurance methods and tak steps for certification. Future interchange with these participants is anticipated to help them achieve PV GAP approval.

The harmonization of PV standards integrates National Standards into the internationally-accepted IEC or PVRS system. As a test case, the World Bank has sponsored the harmonization of Chinese PV standards. Chinese PV standards were selected, given the Bank's assistance to the China Renewable Energy Development Project (see http://setc-gef.newenergy.org.cn).

PowerMark Corp. (Phoenix AZ) conducted the Harmonization Study, under the supervision of Mr S Chalmers. The Study recommended changes in the Chinese Module standards (GB/T 14007-92 and 14009-92), to make them similar to the IEC standard 61215. The Study also recommended using the Chinese Charge Controller and Stand-alone Inverter Standards as the starting point for new PVRSs, to be reviewed by PV GAP's Technical Committee and adopted for use by the IEC system. A similar recommendation was made regarding the Chinese DC Fluorescent Light Test Procedure. The China Study has thus yielded very useful recommendations and will serve as the basis for the harmonization of other National Standards.

With the retirement of Dr Harvey Forest in 1999 as President and CEO of Solarex, Mr Scott Sklar, General Secretary of SEAI nominated Mr Roger Little, Vice-Chairman of SEIA (President, SPIRE Corporation) who has now replaced Dr Forest on the PV GAP Board.

Given Dr Forest's valuable contributions to PV GAP since its inception and his continued interest in furthering the goals of our organization, the Chairman is please to annouce that Dr Forest has accepted an appointment to serve on the PV GAP Advisory Board.

Editor: PF Varadi

Editorial Board: A Cabraal, E Heijnderamns, R Kay, L Schaeffer