PV GAP is a global, photovoltaic industry-driven organisation that strives to promote and maintain a set of quality standards and certification procedures for the performance of PV products and systems, to ensure high quality and reliability.

In the last edition of PV Power we outlined the concept of PV Global Approval Programme (GAP). In this edition we look a little more closely at how GAP will function in practice.

The PV community has initiated the GAP to protect the integrity of manufacturers, especially those in developing countries, and to help safeguard suppliers business. The PV 'Quality Seal' will help identify those products and systems that are manufactured and installed to this international standard and thus guide users to distinguish good quality PV products from bad.

To achieve its objectives the GAP, which is envisaged as a non-profit organisation under the control of the global PV industry, will address the following issues:

• Standards of the International Electrotechnical Commissions's (IEC) will be promoted for global acceptance where they do not exist, Recommended Practices will be developed by reviewing and utilising existing national or regional standards.
• A list of globally accepting Testing Laboratories is to be developed, including testing laboratories in developing countries.
• One globally accepted Reference Manual will be established for use by the PV industry as well as for those who utilise PV products and systems.
• An Approval/Certification Manual will be developed, based on the ISO/IECQ system will be administered by the IECQ (operated by the IEC's Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components). The IECQ certification body will approve the manufacturers or the independent testing laboratory's quality system.

To qualify for membership of PV GAP, the PV related industry, association or organisation must adhere to the quality standards defined by PV GAP and the IECQ and will be bound to a strict code of professional conduct.

Members will be permitted to display the PV GAP 'Quality Seal' on their products or systems, which is expected to provide a significant market advantage, as conferred by the international recognition of product and system quality. In addition members will have access to the PV GAP information Service, publications and discounts on various material including publications. A news bulletin and standards list is also available to members.

Information
For further information on PV GAP contact:

• PV GAP Secretariat in Geneva
  c/o IEC Central Office
  Fax: +41 22 919 0300

[ Top ] [ Previous article in PV Power ] [ Next issue of PV Power ]