Global Approval Program for Photovoltaics

Press Release: July 25, 1996

Since the early 1970s, thousands of photovoltaic (PV) electric energy generating systems have been deployed world wide. As usage has grown, however, inconsistencies in the quality of PV system components, installations, and after-sales maintenance have become a serious problem, especially in off-grid rural electrification programs where PV systems include locally manufactured components not subject to high standards. In many instances, problems have been so severe that the credibility of PV technology itself has come into questions.

On June 23-24, 1996, a group of 18 people from Europe, Japan, and the United States met at the Pocantico Center of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund in Terrytown, NY, to discuss the framework for a new international program (Global Accreditation Program, or GAP) designed to establish and maintain global, uniform levels of quality for PV solar panels, balance of systems, installations, after-sales service, and testing laboratories.

GAP will focus first on raising the quality of 1-kW (or smaller) stand-alone PV systems to guarantee 5-year performance with no more than one battery replacement. GAP will also concentrate on the enforcement of international standards that promote the integration of quality, locally made components without triggering the institution of trade barriers by developing countries. It will work to get testing standards into the financing stream. It will also establish international reciprocity of recognition of standards and testing laboratories.

Conference participants decided that it is important to act quickly to prevent the development of a bad reputation for PV, and that the establishment of GAP should be on a fast track.

At the invitation of the Joint Research Centre (JRC - Ispra, Italy) of the European Union, a follow-up meeting will be held at the end of October, 1996. Preparation for this meeting is being overseen by an Executive Committee, consisting of Dr. Peter F. Varadi (Chairman), Dr. Charles F. Gay, Prof. Robert Hill, and Dr. Heinz Ossenbrink.

For more information, please contact Dr. Peter F. Varadi (Tel./Fax: 1- 301-657-9110).