Intertek Launches New Solar Certification Program

Chicago, IL – Intertek, a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide, today announced the launch of its new PV Performance Certification program. This program impacts the solar market by providing quantifiable performance and reliability testing that includes bankability assessment through the Bankability Test Flow Process and certification with Intertek's Quality and Performance label and mark.

This program was developed to address significant issues of long-term module performance that have surfaced in the industry that could derail the progress of the renewable energy industry. The PV Performance Certification program provides manufacturers with a means to demonstrate, control and maintain the long-term performance and reliability of their PV products, which in turn helps them attract investors, gain confidence with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) teams, and obtain government subsidies.

The PV Performance Certification program includes rigorous test modules that help companies evaluate the performance, reliability and durability of their PV systems. PV modules that pass the stringent test modules are awarded Intertek's Quality and Performance label and mark, validating the manufacturer's product performance claims and giving them a competitive edge in the market. The process includes initial extended testing for long-term weather conditioning and ongoing factory audit services to ensure consistency in manufacturing operations and the quality and performance of the products.

"Our Quality & Performance certification program is designed to expedite the time to market for our customers' products and address the immediate concerns of the industry," says Sunny Rai, vice president of renewable energy at Intertek. "With the rigorous test segment we verify product performance under long-term weather conditions, and with the factory-audit and product-inspection segments of the program we help to control and maintain the quality of the products. Our prestigious Quality and Performance mark allows manufacturers to demonstrate compliance to the program and differentiate themselves from sub-standard products."

The new PV Performance Certification program and services are currently available at Intertek's Lake Forest, Calif., and Shanghai, China facilities and will be available at the Cortland, N.Y. facility starting in December 2013.

For more information about Intertek's PV Performance Certification program or other solar services, please visit www.intertek.com/solar.

About Intertek
Intertek is the leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value to customers' products, processes and assets. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies' success in a global marketplace. Intertek helps its customers to meet end users' expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.

Media Contacts:
Cassandra Biscanin
Global Social Media Lead
(713) 407-3557
Cassandra.biscanin@intertek.com

Priya Ponnuswamy
Marketing Communications Specialist
(847) 718-6317
Priya.ponnuswamy@intertek.com