The Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory at Arizona State University (ASU-PTL)
The Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory at Arizona State University (ASU-PTL)
is the only independent testing lab in the United States accredited
for Design Qualification and Type Approval for photovoltaic modules.
It operates at Arizona State University Polytechnic campus in Mesa,
Arizona, USA. Initially established to provide flat-plate PV module qualification
testing services to the PV industry and develop a hands-on training
laboratory for graduate and undergraduate students. ASU-PTL has evolved to include, among other services, Concentrator testing and
Fuel Cell development. Current services are grouped into four (4)
categories:
PV testing constitutes the lab's main activity. ASU-PTL provides 6 categories
of testing services:
Certification testing for photovoltaic (PV)
modules per IEC 61215 standard (Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic
modules – Design qualification and type approval), IEC61646 standard
(thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic modules – Design qualification
and type approval), IEEE 1513 standard (Recommended practice for qualification
of concentrator photovoltaic –PV - receiver sections and modules),
and the withdrawn IEEE 1262-1995 standard (Recommended practice for
the qualification of photovoltaic modules)
Safety testing per UL 1703 standard (Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels)
and per IEC 61730 standard (Photovoltaic module safety qualification).
Third-party testing services to listing bodies aiming domestic and
international markets: ASU-PTL currently participates in the UL's Third Party Test Data Program. We’ve
also provided 3rd party testing services to CSA, and would be honored
to serve any other listing body. Should you wish to conduct an assessment,
you’re more than welcome.
Engineering evaluation testing per a particular standard. Sometimes it is
in a manufacturer’s best interest to seek independent testing
for quality control and engineering evaluations of future products.
Manufacturers, Governmental and International organizations request
engineering and/or performance evaluations quite often.
Long Term Performance and Reliability testing: Our long term outdoor exposure
program in the hot desert is designed to evaluate the module behavior under
actual field condition over time.
IECEE CB Scheme: The “Scheme of the IECEE for Mutual Recognition
of Test Certificates for Electrical Equipment” was introduced
as a mean of facilitating international recognition and exchange of
safety test results. As an IECEE’s CBTL, ASU-PTL can provide
testing services to manufacturers seeking CB Scheme certification and
test report for their products.
Activities include involvement in PV standards development,
PV research projects, and fuel cell systems evaluations.
In a dynamic and evolving field, ASU-PTL’s contribution has been
in sync with the trend through PV standard development activities,
PV module power rating, and other development projects. Click
here for a growing list of research & development projects.
ASU-PTL was established with educational purposes in mind. As part
of an educational institution, we’ve attracted over the years
many students and provided them with hands-on training laboratory in
the PV field. As a result, what started as an introductory course in
Photovoltaic evolved to a concentration (Alternative Energy Technology)
in the department of Electronic and Computer Engineering Technology
(ECET) and has now become an integral part of the curriculum as an ECET’s
degree major.
As part of our goal to promote the technology, ASU-PTL has made PV
modules available to educational institutions and individuals/entities
with educational goal, for use in their various activities destined
to further demonstrate PV applications and/or capture public curiosity
on the technology.
We also host and organize conferences, workshops, seminars, live-demonstrations,
open-houses etc. to foster public awareness.
