Cologne/Calasparra, November 27, 2012. TÜV Rheinland accompanied the construction of the world’s largest solar thermal power plant, Puerto Errado 2 in Spain, as a neutral certifier. On behalf of several companies involved in the project, the testing service provider’s specialists examined all phases of construction of the power plant as an independent certifier and accompanied the relevant quality inspections. “Through our monitoring activities, we helped to recognize and tackle potential challenges at an early stage,” says Thomas Stüber of TÜV Rheinland. Their neutral status enabled the specialists of the world’s leading testing service provider in the solar industry to mediate successfully between the companies involved when there were differences of opinion. A TÜV Rheinland team will accompany the project up until the final tests before the plant is commissioned.

The solar thermal power plant Puerto Errado 2 is based on what is known as Fresnel collector technology, in which steam is extracted via a collector array for energy production. The solar steam generator deployed has a reflecting surface of more than 300,000 square meters. The power plant produces up to 50 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year and will cover the needs of more than 12,000 households in Spain.

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TÜV Rheinland is an internationally leading testing service provider for the solar industry. The company first started laboratory-scale technical testing of solar components back in 1985. TÜV Rheinland’s network of experts for the solar industry now comprises specialists in seven laboratories worldwide. As a global market leader for the testing and certification of solar systems, TÜV Rheinland operates test laboratories in Bangalore (India), Gyeongsan (Korea), Cologne (Germany), Shanghai (China) and Taichung (Taiwan), as well as at TÜV Rheinland PTL in Tempe (USA) and Yokohama (Japan). Across the world, well over 500 manufacturers of photovoltaic products are clients of the independent testing service provider, TÜV Rheinland. The specialists not only test modules and components but also develop new test methods, collaborate on R&D projects for the use of solar energy and assist customers worldwide with the construction of solar power plants.

More information about test programs for photovoltaic components can be found at www.tuv.com/en/media-solar and www.tuv.com/solar

TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in independent inspection services, founded 140 years ago. The Group maintains a presence at around 500 locations in 61 countries with 16,000 employees. Annual turnover is EUR 1.4 billion. The independent experts stand for quality and safety for people, the environment and technology in nearly all aspects of life. TÜV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects and helps to shape processes for companies. Its experts train people in a wide range of careers and industries. To this end, TÜV Rheinland employs a global network of approved labs, testing and education centers. Since 2006, TÜV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com