TÜV SÜD Greater China (TÜV SÜD) issued its first PV Power Plant Certification in China to Canadian Solar Inc. (CSI) and Suzhou Gaochuangte New Energy Sources Development Co., Ltd. (Gaochuangte), a joint venture Company.

The TÜV SÜD certificate demonstrates that the 8MV Photovoltaic (PV) Power Plant, which is a part of 50MW Capacity Ningxia Hongsibao PV project, complies with the certification standards formulated by TÜV SÜD with reference to IEC62446, IEC60364, IEC61215 and IEC62109. The scope of certification includes the design, file integrity, safety & reliability of key components, construction management as well as the final test and acceptance of the power plant.

The certified power plant, located in Hongsibao Development Zone, Wuzhong City of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, is funded and constructed by Ningxia Electric Power Group (NEPG). Gaochuangte was the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) service provider, as well as the provider of the PV Modules purchased for the Power Plant. The project is the first in the field in China to be awarded a certificate from an international third-party certification body.

The Chinese PV industry is gradually moving downstream from its traditional PV manufacturing base to PV project development and installation. Ensuring reliable operations and an efficient output from PV Power Plants are two critical considerations for PV companies and investors.

"Currently, there isn't a unified and systematic set of requirements, policy and standards for PV power plants both domestically and on the international market. TÜV SÜD is well-placed to support our clients in building PV power plants in China with our extensive experience, in-depth understanding of relevant standards and comprehensive testing capabilities in this field," commented Mr. Robert Puto, Global Director of PV at TÜV SÜD.

To ensure the safe and efficient operation of PV power plants, TÜV SÜD conducts comprehensive assessments on the PV Power Plants, based on its multi-disciplinary expertise in fields such as electrical performance, machinery, earthwork engineering, construction management and grid safety.

"An efficient power station can only be built with the stringent quality requirements on the key components and the EPC contractor. Both CSI and Gaochuangte are strict with the quality of the PV modules and the power plant construction process." said Mr. Liu Yingkuan, the former Chairman of NEPG. He added, "The smooth certification of Gaochuangte's 8MW power plant demonstrates CSI's successful application of NEPG's solar-grade silicon material on PV Modules. It also showed NEPG's strong determination to build high quality power plants, pursue sustainable development and ensure a good return on investment by cooperating with TÜV SÜD, a renowned third party certification body, as the audit and test partner in building power plants."

Mr. Zhang Guoliang, General Manager of Gaochuangte, said, "We are glad to be the first PV Power Plant in China to be awarded the certificate. This has proven our high standards in building PV power plants and our commitment to safety and efficiency through working with TÜV SÜD. The support given by NEPG was also critical to the success of the project."

"TÜV SÜD will continue to contribute to the safe development of efficient Power Plants in China through technical support in the areas of power plant construction and financing. We are also planning to set up a framework agreement with Ningxi New Energy Institute Laboratory Testing Centre." said Robert Puto.