Spire Selected to Provide Advanced Solar Simulator to TÜV Rheinland PTL, LLC

BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR), a global solar company providing turnkey solar factories and capital equipment to manufacture and test photovoltaic modules and cells worldwide, today announced that it has delivered to TÜV Rheinland PTL, LLC (TÜV Rheinland) the critical test equipment for their test and certification operations in the United States.

TÜV Rheinland, a new private venture, significantly upgrades the technology and know-how of the former Arizona State University Photovoltaic Testing Laboratory (ASU-PTL) and moves to a strategic location in Tempe, Arizona, USA close to both ASU and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. With a new facility and additional human resources, the laboratory more than doubles its previous capacity and now provides a unique one-stop source for clients to get full testing and certification for all safety and performance standards in use by the industry anywhere in the world.

The recently opened 40,000 square foot facility is staffed with the world’s most technically competent and capable solar testing team and is equipped with state-of-the-art solar simulators and temperature-humidity environments. Clients can take advantage of full system testing for all photovoltaic system components, including inverters, grid-tied electronics, controllers, motion and tracking devices, and wireless control electronics. In addition, clients can get technical direction and testing on standards for newly emerging technologies such as concentrating photovoltaic, concentrating solar power, and building-integrated photovoltaic.

This venture is the product of a farsighted collaboration between TÜV Rheinland and ASU. The former ASU-PTL, established in 1992, was the first accredited photovoltaic qualification testing laboratory in the United States and one of only a few in the world. Many in the solar testing industry today have roots that connect them to ASU-PTL. In addition, the facility was opened to add to the extensive global photovoltaic testing network not just in the United States.

“Spire simulators are recognized worldwide as state-of-the art, with the highest performance and accuracy,” said Stephen Hogan, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Spire Solar of Spire Corporation. “By using Spire systems, our clients will feel more comfortable with the accuracy of their measurements during the certification procedures. We will provide TUV Rheinland with the level of experience and guaranteed satisfaction that we have provided our customers worldwide.”

Mani G. Tamith-Mani, Ph.D., President of TÜV Rheinland PTL, said, “We are pleased to have added the advanced solar simulator from Spire Corporation. The simulator is central to our process and will allow us to measure modules in a controlled environment so that we can meet our desired testing turnaround times. Spire’s technology and sun simulators are recognized worldwide, so that our clients will feel comfortable with the accuracy of our measurements during the certification procedures we perform for them.