Q-Lab Wins Award to Improve Solar PV Module Durability

Westlake, OH, June 05, 2011 --(PR.com)-- Q-Lab Corporation and several partners were recently awarded $2.9 million for a Solar-Durability and Lifetime Extension (S-DLE) Center project, as part of the Ohio Third Frontier program. Q-Lab is a recognized global leader in advanced weathering test equipment and services. The other program collaborators are Case Western Reserve University (program lead), DuPont Photovoltaic Solutions, Xunlight26 Solar, eQED, and Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

The award will provide Ohio companies with the resources necessary to evaluate and reduce degradation in their products caused by solar radiation and environmental factors. The research is aimed at both raw materials and complete modules utilized in solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The technology will allow the companies to provide longer service lifetimes, improved product warranties, and lower cost of ownership to end-users.

For the project, Q-Lab will provide a suite of its advanced QUV® fluorescent UV weathering testers, Q-SUN® xenon-arc light stability chambers, and Q-FOG® cyclic corrosion testers. Q-Lab will also provide outdoor exposure testing at its industry-leading Florida and Arizona Weathering Research Service facilities. Q-Lab’s testers and test services meet a wide range of ISO, ASTM, AATCC, SAE, DIN and other standards worldwide.

Doug Grossman, President of Q-Lab, commented, “Our team at Q-Lab is elated at winning this important award. Determining the long term durability of PV modules presents one of the biggest challenges in my 37 years of accelerated weathering tester design. The rapid pace of PV development means that customers don’t have real time durability data on new materials that are expected to last 25 years. Accelerated weathering testing directly addresses this issue. This award will help us give our customers confidence that their modules will last outdoors for many years to come.”

For more information on Q-Lab’s accelerated weathering testers or outdoor weathering test services, contact info@q-lab.com or visit our website at www.q-lab.com.

For the complete press release from the Ohio Department of Development, please see here:

http://development.ohio.gov/newsroom/2011PR/May/11.htm

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