Underwriters Laboratories Expands Global Photovoltaic Footprint To China

The new 400-square-meter testing facility, the largest in Asia, will enable UL’s customers to get their products to market faster due to increased testing capacity. This facility, which will initially house six state-of-the-art test chambers, will continue to expand in 2009, as more capacity is needed. According to industry experts, the global PV market is expected to grow by 15 percent every year for the next five years, hitting $32 billion by 2012.

“Now, more than ever, manufacturers are looking for a trusted partner in the certification industry to help bring their innovations to market faster and more efficiently,” said Jeff Smidt, General Manager of UL’s Global Energy Business. “With the launch of our new facility, we will better serve our customers by providing a full portfolio of testing and certification services in China, as well as access to the global market.”

The Renewable Energy Law passed by the Chinese government in March 2005 stipulates that 10 percent of China’s energy must come from renewable resources by 2020—a fact that underlines the country’s increased demand for first-rate PV testing services.

“China is the third largest manufacturer of photovoltaic products in the world and production keeps increasing. It is the industry’s manufacturing base, and that is why UL is growing its PV testing capacity in this region,” said Smidt.

The Photovoltaic Technology Center of Excellence in Suzhou, China is located in the New Hi-Tech Industrial Park, 98 Hengshan Road, Suzhou New District. UL’s first Center of Excellence, which opened in July 2008, is located in San Jose, California. UL is currently expanding that lab as the demand for PV certification services continues to increase.