U.S., China Cooperate to Promote Photovoltaic Industry

SHANGHAI, Sept 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The Second U.S. - China Renewable Energy Industries Forum will be held on September 19th-20th in Washington D.C.  UL (Underwriters Laboratories) - a member of the Energy Cooperation Program (ECP) and a world leader in product safety testing and certification, standards development and research - and China General Certification Center (CGC), the national center for testing and certification for solar photovoltaic and other new energy industry, will both participate in this forum in their capacity as technical experts.

The global demand for sustainable energy generating sources, such as PV systems, has increased rapidly in recent years, prompting the U.S. and Chinese governments to proactively develop the PV market and accelerate the production of PV equipment. Chinese manufacturers play a significant role in the fast moving PV industry and are eager to cooperate with innovative companies to become global leaders. The U.S. - China Renewable Energy Program will review its work over the past year and map its strategy for the upcoming year.

As the key representatives for the renewable energy industry from their respective countries, UL and CGC are committed to promoting renewable energy and contributing to the further cooperation between the US and China in this field.  The cooperation between CGC and UL began with a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed in August of 2010. According to the MOU, UL is providing testing data to CGC for certification and application of CGC's mark to Photovoltaic (PV) products, including PV Modules, PV inverter/converters, Combiner boxes, etc. The two partners are also utilizing their respective strengths in electrical and mechanical components for Wind Turbine Generating Systems (WTGS), to pursue assessment and certification services for these systems in both China and the United States. Both sides have also agreed to encourage and promote cooperation in renewable energy, energy reduction and other areas to allow manufacturers seeking product certification or other conformity assessment services to obtain such services from UL, UL affiliates, and CGC.

"China is regarded as the largest potential market in PV industry over the next few years," said Weifang Zhou, vice president and general manager, UL Greater China. "By leveraging UL's PV labs around the world, customers can more effectively access the Chinese market with CGC certification, as well as other major markets with the help of UL's many service offerings." With a cooperative effort, UL and CGC have formed a joint service program for PV module category. Customers around the world can work with UL to apply for CGC's certification mark program. Bundling with UL's existing IEC based service, including UL EU certification, UL classification service, the CB report (certificate) and the UL certification, PV manufacturers can more easily and effectively access the world market.  

UL has been engaged in formulating/developing PV equipment safety specifications and standards since the 1980s, and has contributed to the safe operation of PV equipment by providing safety and performance testing and certification services for PV equipment manufacturers worldwide. "UL is one of the most trusted certification and testing centers in the world, which represents the highest level of advanced technology and provides first-class service in the largest PV markets in the world. We have had a very happy cooperation during the past few years and are quite pleased to work with UL in promoting the PV industry together in future," said Mr. Wan Lin from CGC.

About UL

UL is a premier global safety science company with more than 100 years of proven history. Employing more than 6,800 professionals in over 96 countries, UL is evolving the future of safety with five distinct business units – Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Verification and University – to meet the expanding needs of customers and the global public. For more information on UL services, visit www.UL.com

About CGC

China General Certification Center (CGC), organized by the Institute of Metrology (NIM) with the authorization of the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People's Republic of China (CNCA).Since its foundation in 2003, CGC conducted a variety of fundamental researches, took in hand several national crucial research projects, and thus strengthened substantial technical position and gained reputations around the country. Various certificates like "blue fire" and "golden sun" under CGC have been widely recognized around the industry and by customers, playing a key role in driving the sound development of the industry. Moreover, CGC actively communicates and cooperates with manufactures, researching academy and detecting organizations to greatly enhance the capacity of certification as well as its influence in the industry.

Media Contact

UL
Leslie Peng
Tel: +86 20 3213 1028
Email: [email protected]

CGC
Wan Lin
Tel: +86-10-5979 6665-3003
Email: [email protected]

SOURCE UL