Solar Panel Testing and Certification: Ensuring Quality and Reliability

Solar panel testing and certification are crucial processes that ensure the quality, performance, and safety of solar panels. It is important that before being manufactured, sold and installed in the commercial market, solar panels undergo rigorous testing by independent laboratories to meet specific standards. 

These standards assess a panel's ability to withstand various environmental factors, perform efficiently, and operate safely. In India, it is compulsory to obtain a Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certificate to sell solar panels. All the models have to be tested and certified under the guidelines of the Bureau of Indian Standards.

At Citizen Solar, we are 100 percent compliant with all the standards as specified in BIS which makes us pioneers in the field of solar panel manufacturing. To understand more details about the testing and certification process, here is the breakdown:

Testing

Performance Testing
Measures a panel's ability to convert sunlight into electricity under controlled conditions. This includes evaluating factors like power output, efficiency, and current-voltage (I-V) curves.

Safety Testing
Ensures the panel is built to withstand various environmental stresses, such as extreme temperatures, high winds, hail impact, dust, in-transit transportation and fire.

Durability Testing
Evaluates the panel's long-term performance and degradation rate over time. This involves simulating real-world conditions like exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, moisture, and temperature fluctuations.

Certifications
After all the required tests are done, a solar panel has to be certified by a reputable organisation or a body. In general, certification tests are also carried out by these organisations. In India, the most known are Underwriters Laboratories (UL), TUV Rheinland, Mitsui Chemicals Group - PI Berlin, Hi Physix Laboratory and the International Electrotechnical Commission.

Certification signifies that the panel meets the specific standards set forth by the Bureau of Indian Standards & IECC. This provides peace of mind to consumers and installers, knowing the panels they are purchasing are safe, reliable, and will perform as expected.