TÜV Rheinland and FM Approvals to offer new testing service for solar modules

FM Approvals and TÜV Rheinland have come together to form new approval standards for flexible and rigid PV modules. The FM Approval Standard 4476, Approval Standard for Flexible Photovoltaic Modules, and Approval Standard 4478, Approval Standard for Rigid Photovoltaic Modules, are in the final review stages and set to be released by the end of this year. The new standards were conceived to better allow PV module manufacturers obtain FM Approval for products used as part of an FM Approved roofing assembly.

The agreement signed by both companies will see FM Approvals test the fire and natural hazard performance of PV modules for complete large-scale roof assemblies, while TÜV Rheinland conducts electrical safety and performance certification testing, which will be required by the new FM Approval standards.

The new PV standards have requirements for combustibility form above the roof deck, wind resistance, hail damage resistance, electrical safety, electrical performance and seismic resistance (Approval Standards 4478 only).

Stephan Schmitt, TÜV Rheinland’s president and CEO commented on the new standards, stating, “It is important that the industry, including panel manufacturers, installers and property owners, understands the importance of these new standards and their relationship to property loss prevention. There are inherent risks when these systems are installed on rooftops, and FM Approvals is being very proactive in releasing these new Approval Standards.”

All FM Approved PV modules will be listed in FM Approvals’ online roofing resource, RoofNav.