TÃœV Rheinland PTL, North Americas largest solar and photovoltaic (PV) testing company, is approved by Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE) of Italy to perform design qualification and type approval testing of PV modules and systems. Specifically, the company will test crystalline silicon flat-plate PV modules according to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61215 standard; thin-film flat-plate PV modules according to IEC 61646; and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) modules and assemblies according to IEC 62108.

GSE promotes the development of renewable energy sources in Italy by granting support for and organizing awareness campaigns on environmentally sustainable and responsible use of electricity.

Any PV module or system used in Italy needs to comply with the IEC design qualification requirements. The products may only be tested and certified by the laboratories accredited in accordance with standard UNI CEI EN ISO / IEC 17025 or who have established mutual recognition agreements with European co-operation for Accreditation or the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.

TÃœV Rheinland PTL tests and certifies systems slated for sale in the European Union, Asian and North American markets to assure that solar thermal, PV, CPV, and concentrated solar power systems comply with electrical, mechanical, and environmental requirements for both product quality and product safety.

About 70% of all solar module manufacturers have their products tested by TÃœV Rheinland to obtain national and international market licenses. TÃœV Rheinland operates test laboratories for solar modules and systems in six locations worldwide: Cologne, Germany; Shanghai, China; Taichung, China; Yokohama, Japan; and Bangalore, India, as well as a U.S. facility in Tempe, Arizona at TÃœV Rheinland PTL. Hundreds of experts specializing in solar technologies work at the existing test centers.