Hanwha SolarOne Awarded New Transport Packaging Certificate
Innovative transport packaging system reduces risk of damage and power degradation
[Ismaning, 4 June 2014] Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd. (Hanwha SolarOne, or the Company) (Nasdaq:HSOL), a top-10 global photovoltaic manufacturer of high-quality, cost-competitive solar modules, has passed the transport packaging tests in compliance with the new draft standard IEC 62759-1 “Transportation testing of photovoltaic (PV) modules”. German test institute TÜV Rheinland officially presented Hanwha SolarOne with the transport packaging certificate today (June 4), in the framework of the Intersolar Europe exhibition. Hanwha SolarOne is among the first solar module manufacturers to pass the new draft norm requirements.
During transport and handling, solar modules are exposed to shocks and vibrations that can have a damaging effect on fragile solar cells, thereby reducing the power output of the module. In order to minimize the risk of damage, Hanwha SolarOne has developed an innovative packaging system that efficiently protects the fragile solar cells.
The positive effect of the Hanwha Solar packaging system has already been demonstrated through deliveries at challenging locations worldwide. To obtain an official evaluation of the transport packaging, Hanwha Solar assigned the experienced German test house TÜV Rheinland to carry out an advanced qualification series.
“The transport simulation in the laboratory covers vibrations as well as rough handling impacts for the pallet, including the solar modules,” explains Florian Reil, Business Field Manager for Solar Energy at TÜV Rheinland. “In addition to the international test standard requirements, we have defined strong pass/fail-criteria for the test sequences. If the test results are well within the threshold values as specified through our certification system, it can be concluded that risks of damage and power degradation from transport impacts on solar modules are considerably reduced in both the short and long term. The pallet and PV modules of Hanwha SolarOne passed all test sequences, demonstrating the protective effect of the transport packaging system.”
The certification process consists of several steps. Firstly, the sample is exposed to a vibration test, including simulations of shocks from road transport or acceleration procedures during cornering or braking. Even serious effects such as a shipping unit being knocked over by a fork lift are taken into consideration. Following the transportation simulation, the solar modules go through a check for possible damages, which includes a visual inspection, EL imaging and STC measurements, as well as dry and wet insulation testing. In order to identify possible long-term effects, advanced ageing and load tests involving processes such as wind-load simulation and the application of thermo-mechanical loads are carried out in TÜV Rheinland laboratories.
Throughout the process, possible power degradation is analyzed and evaluated. In addition, quality management aspects concerning the package and the traceability of the materials are included within the certification.
During the Intersolar Europe trade show taking place in Munich, Germany, June 4 – 6, Hanwha SolarOne is exhibiting its portfolio of high-quality solar modules in hall A2 (A2.260).
About Hanwha SolarOne
Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: HSOL) is one of the top 10 photovoltaic module manufacturers in the world, providing cost-competitive, high-quality PV modules. It is a flagship company of Hanwha Group, one of the largest business enterprises in South Korea. Hanwha SolarOne serves the utility, commercial, government and residential markets through a growing network of third-party distributors, OEM manufacturers and system integrators. The company maintains a strong presence worldwide, with a global business network spanning Europe, North America, Asia, South America, Africa and the Middle East. For more information, please visit: www.hanwha-solarone.com
About TÜV Rheinland
TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in independent inspection services, founded more than 140 years ago. The group maintains a presence in 66 countries with 18,000 employees; annual turnover is more than EUR 1.6 billion. The independent experts stand for quality, efficiency and safety for people, technology and the environment 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 and 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
For further information:
Bianca Böttcher
PR agency Solar Consulting GmbH
Tel: +49 (0)761 / 38 09 68-20
Lena Berg
PR Manager Hanwha SolarOne
Tel: +49 (0)89 / 2175 667 393
Safe-Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the quotations from management in this press release and the Company’s operations and business outlook, contain forward-looking statements. Such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forwardlooking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Hanwha SolarOne’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its annual report on Form 20-F. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Source: Hanwha SolarOne Co., Ltd.
Hanwha SolarOne Awarded New Transport Packaging Certificate: Seongwoo Nam, CEO – Hanwha SolarOne, and Willi Vaaßen, Head of Business Unit Solarenergy – TÜV Rheinland.
Photo: Thomas Kiewning.
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