Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a world leader in safety testing and certification, today announced the introduction of its Master and Fast Track Certification Programs. These new service offerings are designed to help photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers and production equipment manufacturers get products to market faster by using an innovative approach to certify complete turn-key solution production lines.

Program participants are able to supply PV module manufacturers with pre-certified designs, greatly reducing project turnaround time, and offering greater efficiency due to the avoidance of redundant testing and thus, fewer submitted product samples.

These programs will test to both national and international UL International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards including UL1703, UL 61730, IEC 61215, IEC 61646 and IEC 61730, and will be made available to global markets in North America, Europe and Asia.

"The Master and Fast Track Certification Programs demonstrate UL's ongoing commitment to solar industry innovations," said Jeff Smidt, vice president and general manager of UL's Global Energy Industry. "We strive to develop and enhance our service offerings to meet the needs of today's demanding renewable energy marketplace."

In addition to the Master and Fast Track Certification Programs, UL offers its customers a comprehensive portfolio of conformity assessment services that can be customized to their individual needs. This includes Global Market Access solutions, which provide the trusted UL and C-UL (Canada) certification Marks, offer compliance with IEC standards and issue the applicable CB certificates to provide safety and performance conformity worldwide. The Preliminary Investigation and Data Acceptance Program (DAP) are additional services offerings designed to accommodate individual customers' needs.

"The solar industry continues to look to third-party certification companies to provide customized services that will save time and resources," said Smidt. "UL plays a leading role in this transformation through process enhancements and investments in innovative safety testing and programs to bring solar energy solutions to market faster."

UL also continues to invest in new testing facilities, equipment and employees. It recently opened two state-of-the-art PV Centers of Excellence in San Jose, Calif. and Suzhou, China and plans to open new facilities in Germany and Japan in 2010. These facilities are utilized for testing and certification services as well as industry research and training.

Source: Underwriters Laboratories