Global Approval Program for Photovoltaics

Press Release: February 9, 1998

PV GAP ENTERS IMPLEMENTATION PHASE

The implementation meeting of PV GAP in the USA was held January 15 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The meeting was attended by representatives of various organizations that will be involved in setting up and administering the PV GAP program. PV GAP was represented at the meeting by Chairman Peter Varadi.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) will be the Master Licensee of PV GAP in the USA. SEIA delegated the administration of the PV GAP program to PowerMark Corporation. SEIA was represented at the meeting by Mary Shaffner and John Wohlgemuth, and PowerMark by Steve Chalmers.

PV GAP will utilize the standards developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) TC 82. PV GAP, in close cooperation with TC 82, will also apply "Recommended Standards." Because of the planned close cooperation, the meeting was attended by Dick DeBlasio, Chairman of TC 82 and Board Member of PV GAP.

IEC's Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components (IECQ) is providing the approvals service for PV GAP. IECQ is managed in the USA by ECCB (Electronic Components Certification Board). IECQ was represented by Jack Isken, past Chairman of IECQ and by Richard Kay (Geneva, Switzerland) IECQ Secretary and acting Secretary of PV GAP. ECCB was represented at the meeting by Chairman Chuck Pakcard. The US National Supervising Inspectorate (NSI) administers the approvals program for ECCB. Underwriters Labortories (UL) is the US NSI responsible for IECQ functions in the USA. The NSI was represented by Harvey Berman, Chairman IECQ NSIs Coordination Committee and by Joe Chiaramonte and Richard Li.

PowerMark will perform the designated audit functions for the NSI in the area of PV.

For the PV industry's interest to be properly represented, SEIA will delegate two members to the ECCB Board. SEIA is already represented onthe PV GAP Board.

The PV GAP program will have many benefits, and SEIA will communicate these to the US PV industry. Expense of the PV GAP program for industry is exected to be minimal.

The PV GAP European implementation meeting will take place February 11 at the European Photovoltaic Industry Association offices in Brussels, Belgium.

For more information, please contact the PV GAP Secretariat [Mr. Richard Kay - Secretary (acting)]; c/o IEC Central Office, 3 rue Varembe (Box 131, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland; Tel: 41 22 919 02 16; Fax: 41 22 919 03 00; e-mail: rk@iec.ch; URL: http://www.iec.ch.