3SUN to ensure PV modules‘ quality with TÜV Rheinland as testing partner

The quality of future PV modules must reach increasingly higher levels, to achieve growing environmental sustainability goals. And the agreement between 3SUN and TÜV Rheinland - global leader in the Testing, Inspection and Certification sector - goes right in this direction. This Framework Agreement marks a significant step for the Gigafactory, which will be flanked by this industry giant for the next three years, building an excellent foundation for the present and future of its modules.

An all-European alliance

The relationship between 3SUN and TÜV Rheinland has many points of agreement. Starting with the European context, in which both companies have increasingly important roles, when it comes to technological innovation and the photovoltaic sector. Plus, the Certification Company's deep understanding of 3SUN's world has been a determining factor, when we chose them as partner along this journey. Then, TÜV's global reputation, and its role as leader in the definition of future regulations for PV panels, are a fundamental added value. The implementation of this agreement will help, on the one hand, to confirm 3SUN products' reliability, and, on the other, to position them constantly one step forward the new market parameters.

In the words of Miki Risita, 3SUN Head of Product Quality: "The photovoltaic industry is constantly evolving, not just when it comes to technology, but also from a regulatory standpoint. 3SUN's manufacturing experience, combined with TUV's great knowledge of international standards, will become a reference point for the sector stakeholders. We believe TÜV Rheinland to be the right partner, not just for the present, but also for the future of our products, since we've established an agreement according to which the Certification Company will provide its experts, facilities and labs in Germany.”

And this vision is shared also by Lukas Jakisch, Section Manager Solar & Commercial Products, TÜV Rheinland: "For more than 40 years, our 250 experts worldwide have been developing new test methods and providing services for the feasibility, financing, quality assurance and acceptance of photovoltaic power plants, as well as facilitating international market access through the testing and certification of photovoltaic modules and components. TÜV Rheinland has been testing 3SUN for many years with the aim of qualifying and certifying the quality and safety of PV modules. We continue this work on the basis of the latest IEC/UL 61215/61730 standards and supplement our services with the topic of sustainability, e.g. carbon footprint. This means that 3SUN products are prepared for the requirements of global markets."

Goal: premium quality

The main goal of this deal is to qualify the new modules we are building, according to international IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) and UL (Underwriters Laboratories) standards, and in compliance with high safety, quality and reliability levels. And there's more: with the help of TÜV Rheinland, we want to follow the path to get our  CORE-H technology - 3SUN's crown jewel that allows maximizing the energy production of a photovoltaic module - recognized. The German Company has already touched this context first hand and, through a constant synergy and testing activity, this will help us to speed up the next qualifications planned and agreed.

Apart from the basic certifications we are acquiring - which allow our modules to be launched on the market - one goal in particular concerns the future of our production. We are working on a series of certifications to get our product in the premium range, and launch it on an even broader trade sector, to include countries such as the Americas, Brazil and France. For this reason, after completing all basic qualifications, we will extend the utility scale modules 'certification pack', and we will begin the certification process for residential modules.

A glimpse into the future

This ambitious roadmap, to be completed before the end of the framework agreement, which is set in 2026, adds another step underlining its strategic importance.

TÜV Rheinland will support us even during the testing and certification phase for future products; we are already working together to make our innovative Tandem technology a premium brand.

In conclusion, the Framework Agreement between 3SUN and TÜV Rheinland marks a significant step both for the Gigafactory - which is supported by a leading player - and for the Certification Company - which is involved in a European partnership of this scale for the first time ever. And this opens up the doors even more to research and development.