Shanghai, January 30, 2013, 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. This 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.
TÜV SÜD’s PV Power Plant Certificate Mark
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.
About TÜV SÜD
Established in Germany over 140 years ago, TÜV SÜD is one of the world’s leading technical services providers offering knowledge services, inspections, testing, expert opinions, certification and training. Approximately 17,000 employees at over 800 locations worldwide provide technology, system and know-how optimization. TÜV SÜD has started business in China for over 20 years. TÜV SÜD has partnered with over 20,000 local manufacturers to date.
About CSI
Canadian Solar Inc. is one of the world’s largest PV Module manufacturers, suppliers and EPC project general contractor. CSI applies flexible vertical integration business model, specializing in silicon ingots, wafers, solar cells, solar modules, solar application products research and development, production and sales, as well as the solar power plant system design and installation. Currently, the company has been established subsidiaries and affiliates in more than 20 countries worldwide, its products and projects are spread in more than 50 countries and regions around the world. CSI is committed to doing the global clean energy experts, aiming at discovering the sunshine value to create a cleaner future for generations to come.
About Gaochuangte
Suzhou Gaochuangte New Energy Sources Development Co., Ltd. is a large joint venture built by Canadian Solar China Investment Company, Suzhou Chuangyuan Investment and Development Group Co., Ltd. and Suzhou New and High-tech Venture Investment Group Co., Ltd. Its main business combines design, construction and operation management of solar energy PV power generating project together with research and development, manufacturing and marketing of solar energy power generating facilities and materials. It provides integrated solutions and one-stop services for customers from all over the world regarding the large scale PV power plant and industrial, commercial and household on-grid and off-grid solar energy PV power generating systems.
About NEPG
Ningxia Electric Power Group Co., Ltd. (referred to as “NEPG”) was established on June 28, 2003, a joint venture of the Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd., the operating company of state investment in Ningxia, Beijing Energy Investment Company and Ningxia Power Investment Group Company. Principally engaged in the development and construction of thermal power, wind power, coal, wind power generation equipment, coal chemical industry, new materials, automation instruments and other items and production operations, CSI is a large power projects mainly dominated to Ningxia region electricity and guides the construction of power transmission to the area out of Ningxia Province.
About Ningxia New Energy Institute Laboratory Testing Center
Ningxia Institute of New Energy is a new energy industry research institutions approved by the Government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. The new energy laboratory testing center is one of the most unique basic platforms of Ningxia new Energy Institute and it is a third party testing agency of solar photovoltaic products, photovoltaic power plant testing, inspection, as well as new technology, new product identification and stereotypes testing third-party testing agency with the support of the Finance capacity building funds given by autonomous regions Commerce Office of new Energy public testing service .The lab now has four thousand million international advanced testing equipments with basically indoor testing based on large outdoor mobile photovoltaic power plant testing features Northwest Public testing service positioning and ability. The outdoor test system has been built Asia’s largest photovoltaic outdoor testing platform, one of the project covers an area of 21 acres, and six functional areas to test the three hundred PV modules in the same time. The first auto 3A transient simulator in China will be put into use in March this year, signifying a new level of the testing capability of the PV power plant.
 issued its first PV Power Plant Certification in China to Canadian Solar Inc. (CSI) and Suzhou Gaochuangte New Energy Sources…){kind=link}