CERTISOLIS TC
Savoie Technolac
73372 LE BOURGET-DU-LAC
+ 33 (0)4 79 68 56 00
Fax. : + 33 (0)4 79 68 56 06

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Certification

PROMOTE YOUR PERFORMANCE WITH CERTIFICATION

Implementing a quality process must involve measurable goals.
Regardless of who they are, photovoltaic sector actors are constantly seeking to set themselves apart.
Certification fulfills this expectation by playing the role of an independent third-party certifying, proving, and validating compliance with established rules.
Certification processes are always voluntary. Their goal is to make actors, products, and skills credible by promoting them through a recognized brand.
Certification is governed by law (Article L115-27 of the French Consumer Code). It comes from a professional’s desire to prove his compliance with commitments before, during, and after creating a product.

CERTISOLIS CERTIFICATION CONTEXT

Under the framework of a highly-proactive policy implemented in France regarding the photovoltaic market (tax credit, PV electricity buyback rates, solar power plant tenders), French public authorities would like to give priority to PV products with the best performance, reliability, and environmental impact guarantees.

With the explosion of available PV solutions and increased competition on the PV market, it seems necessary to define a quality reference framework for end-users. French authorities would like to work towards structuring the market and developing confidence based on the principle of certified solutions.

International IEC standards constitute a base but are not sufficient to provide an objective guarantee for products and execution in compliance with stakeholders’ expectations (public authorities, energy producers, building trades). Built on the principles of the electronic component market, they do not (or hardly) take into consideration sustainable performance requirements, environmental impacts, manufacturing consistency, and BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaic systems).

CERTIFICATION GOALS

HIGH-ADDED TECHNICAL VALUE CERTIFICATION, ADAPTED TO THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT AND DEMAND ON THE FRENCH AND EUROPEAN MARKETS PROVIDING FOR ASSESSING ENERGY PERFORMANCE AND DURABILITY OVER TIME REGARDLESS OF THE TECHNOLOGIES OFFERED.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BIPV PRODUCTS.
PROVIDING FOR POSITIONING ON SYSTEM, MODULE, AND COMPONENT PERFORMANCE.
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

CERTIFICATION REFERENCE SYSTEM

Working Principle :
A modular certification reference system where everyone can locate the performance they seek.

A certification block for international standards requirements
This minimal block corresponds to compliance with international standards requirements. Manufacturers choose the standard with an international recognition system providing a common denominator for selling on all markets.

An energy performance and durability over time block
This is a matter of qualifying PV solutions according to their overall energy performance, the primary driving force on the market. Currently just determining the peak estimated power under standard conditions (Wc at STC) is deemed insufficient. Several additional levels of reliability must be defined.

A BIPV system performance block
Certisolis’ purpose is to provide BIPV system certification based on criteria other than electrical performance such as impact resistance, for example (various levels depending on use). This corresponds to industrialist demands to have a single label providing access to various markets.

An environmental performance block
This is a matter of anticipating the “Grenelle de l’environnement” (Multi-Stakeholders’ Consultation Meeting on the Environment) regarding the display of mass-market product environmental performance and providing information regarding PV products’ environmental impact. Methods exist, in particular NF P 01 010, for creating Environmental and Health Declaration Sheets (referred to as FDES in French).

A “performance durability” and “audit / inspection” block
Production verifications by conducting periodic audits and lot inspections at a frequency to be determined are required to ensure production consistency and quality assurance. Sampling inventory or before shipment on the basis of the reference system or major buyers’ requirements may be commissioned to check production stability regarding the samples provided during testing. These verifications are required by French certification law.

The reference system will soon be available for download on the site

THE MEANS TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS

A Testing Laboratory
A testing laboratory has been setup with the best performing testing equipment on the market as per international standards, allowing us to establish a reference value. Moreover, the laboratory is backed by the LNE’s and CSTB’s testing equipment to cover all certification blocks (electrical value chain up to network entry and testing regarding BIPV).

COFRAC Accreditation and CBTL Testing Recognition
CERTISOLIS is first aiming for COFRAC accreditation under NF EN ISO 17025 given the requirements of its French and European clients. CERTISOLIS will also aim for CBTL (CB Testing Laboratory) status under the IECEE’s CB Scheme guaranteeing better international recognition for the certificates delivered. The CB Scheme is a recognition system with many actors throughout the world.

COFRAC Accreditation and NCB Certification Recognition
CERTISOLIS is first aiming for COFRAC accreditation under NF EN ISO 45011 and will also aim for NCB (National Certification Body) status under the IECEE’s CB Scheme.