"No Need to Travel Abroad for Solar Cell Performance Certification"

Energy Technology Research Institute Obtains KOLAS Accredited Testing Laboratory Qualification
Enables Internationally Accredited Performance Testing and Certification

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] A certification body capable of measuring the performance of solar cells, a core component of renewable energy in Korea, and receiving international accreditation has been established.

The Korea Institute of Energy Research announced on the 17th that it has obtained accreditation as a KOLAS (Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme) certified testing institution for the standard measurement of current-voltage (IV) characteristics of solar cell devices and the standard measurement of solar cell spectral response (responsiveness by solar wavelength).

Currently, as global competition for developing high-efficiency solar cells intensifies, there had been no accredited testing institution in Korea, resulting in domestic measurement values not being recognized on the international stage. Consequently, domestic industry-academia-research sectors had to seek overseas institutions for international certification of solar cell performance after development, causing inconvenience.

With the Korea Institute of Energy Research acquiring KOLAS certification this time, it has become possible to measure the photo-conversion efficiency of solar cell devices in Korea using calibrated reference instruments compared to the World Radiometric Reference and the International System of Units (SI unit).

Dr. Ahn Seung-gyu of the Korea Institute of Energy Research stated, “Obtaining KOLAS accredited testing institution status automatically means becoming a testing laboratory registered under the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement (ILAC-MRA), so now we can conduct inter-laboratory comparison tests on equal terms with leading overseas testing institutions in the field of solar cell device measurement.” He added, “Through continuous inter-laboratory comparison tests in the future, we will improve the reliability of measurement technology and lay the foundation to become a proven institution recognized internationally by researchers in industry, academia, and research in the solar energy field.”