STAC
The Solar Technology and Cost Service, from Exawatt, Kiwa PVEL, and CRU, offers key insights for solar stakeholders.
Renewable Energy Testing and Validation
The growth of solar and renewable energy depends on trusted, independently validated performance data. Investors, developers, and asset owners must understand the durability, reliability, and long-term output expectations of solar technologies and infrastructure. Kiwa supports the renewable energy sector with rigorous testing, engineering assessments, and performance validation delivered by Kiwa PI Berlin and Kiwa PVEL.
What We Do
Kiwa provides comprehensive testing and validation services across the renewable energy value chain, with a primary focus on solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies and battery energy storage systems. Our laboratories and engineering teams conduct advanced reliability testing, component characterization, field quality inspections, system design reviews, and performance analyses. These services identify degradation mechanisms, evaluate long-term energy yield, confirm compliance with international standards, and mitigate risks across the lifecycle of renewable assets.
Why This Expertise Matters
Renewable energy projects involve high-value investments with performance expectations spanning decades. Independent testing and engineering validation provide stakeholders with confidence, reduce uncertainty, support bankability, and ensure assets meet safety, durability, and performance requirements.
How Kiwa Delivers Value
Kiwa delivers unmatched expertise through accredited laboratories, deep quality assurance knowledge, and decades of global project experience. Kiwa PVEL’s suite of extended-reliability tests, known as the Product Qualification Program (PQP), are widely referenced as indicators of solar module performance, while Kiwa PI Berlin provides technical diligence, procurement, and quality assurance services in the lab, factory, and field.
Who We Serve
Industries served include:
Solar module and component manufacturers
Project developers
EPC contractors
Investors
Utilities
Asset managers
Our services include
Supply Chain Traceability Assessment
Assessment of a module manufacturer’s traceability procedures and practices for their upstream material supply chain from polysilicon through finished PV modules.
Container loading check
Inspection of packaging integrity and loading of containers to ensure compliance with manufacturer specification before leaving the manufacturer’s factory or storage facility. Kiwa PI Berlin will assess the condition of the packaged modules, including pa...
ESG Audit
Conduct a complete Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) audit of the Customer’s company and one on-site facility. The Customer will be provided with a certificate in accordance with the Kiwa SEE Sustainability Standard.
Factory Audit
Kiwa PI Berlin audits evaluate all aspects of the supply chain, product, manufacturing, and management processes potentially affecting module safety, reliability, and performance. Kiwa PI Berlin has developed a comprehensive auditing protocol based on dir...
Field inspections PV systems
Around the globe, we test PV systems according to their performance and uncover faults and give recommendations on how to remedy them. Our experts have the most modern testing equipment and analysis tools at their disposal.
Post-installation module inspection
Kiwa PI Berlin will conduct post-installation inspection of modules. Inspection will be carried out on a sample basis and will provide significant information about the module status after being assembled. This information can provide the necessary data t...
Post-shipment Inspection
Evaluating all aspects of the supply chain, product, manufacturing, and management processes potentially affecting module safety and performance. A comprehensive auditing protocol based on direct observation, stress-testing and expert review.
Post-shipment module inspection - Dark room
Kiwa PI Berlin will conduct post-shipment inspections of modules prior to installation to check for potential transportation damage. Kiwa PI Berlin will randomly sample pallets from containers and perform visual inspections and electroluminescence (EL) im...
Supply Chain Traceability Assessment
Kiwa PI Berlin will assess the equipment manufacturer’s traceability procedures and practices for their upstream key material supply chain to finished product. Kiwa PI Berlin assess the manufacturer based on their ability to track and trace materials fro...
Witnessing of Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) - Inverters
Kiwa PI Berlin will witness pre-shipment inspection factory acceptance test of the customers central inverters. Inspection will be carried out on a sample basis per the pre-agreed criteria. Kiwa PI Berlin may randomly sample inverters for testing using th...
Witnessing of Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) - MV Cells
Kiwa PI Berlin will perform the witnessing of MV-Cell Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) to ensure it is aligned with the design, manufacturing and acceptance requirements. We will focus on the supervision of laboratory conditions and standards compliance , l...
Witnessing of Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) - Transformers
Kiwa PI Berlin will perform the witnessing of transformer Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) to ensure it is aligned with the design, manufacturing and acceptance requirements. We will focus on the supervision of laboratory conditions and standards compliance...
Batch Testing
Batch testing helps buyers evaluate the PV module quality produced for a given project.
Indoor Module Testing
Kiwa PVEL's top-tier facilities provide comprehensive module testing services for manufacturers, developers, investors, EPCs, and industry stakeholders.
Module laboratory testing
Physical testing of modules to provide a secondary validation of the basic manufacturing quality, material consistency, and electrical safety of the finished product.
Module Testing
Explore Kiwa PVEL's PV module testing services, going beyond PQP to ensure consistency and performance indoors and outdoors.
Outdoor Testing
PVUSA in Davis, California, hosts Kiwa PVEL's research-grade outdoor testbed, offering diverse testing options to assess solar product performance with precision monitoring.
Product Qualification Program (PQP)
Explore Kiwa PVEL’s Product Qualification Program (PQP) to mitigate PV module procurement risk with actionable insights from bankability tests.
ISO 14001 Environmental Management
ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification with Kiwa: reduce waste, gain customer trust and be competitive.
Not ready to get a quote?
Fill out our contact form and get in contact with our sales assistance department.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of renewable energy components can Kiwa test?
We test PV modules, inverters, batteries, trackers, mounting systems, and more.
How does Kiwa PVEL’s PQP support project bankability?
PQP data provides transparent, independent insight into long-term performance.
Does Kiwa offer engineering support for existing solar plants?
Yes. Kiwa PI Berlin provides system audits, O&M reviews, and performance troubleshooting.
