CFV Solar Test Laboratory, a PV certification test company jointly owned by CSA Group, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, the Fraunhofer USA Center for Sustainable Energy Systems CSE, and VDE Testing and Certification Institute, opened their new solar module testing laboratory in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

CFV Solar Test Laboratory is located within the Mesa del Sol development of Albuquerque at 5600 University Blvd SE, close to the airport, Sandia National Labs, the University of New Mexico, and other major players in the PV supply chain. The new facility started operations in late 2010 and is testing products for certification to North American and international PV testing standards.

In addition to the CFV Solar Test Laboratory, Fraunhofer CSE and Fraunhofer ISE operates a R&D facility at Mesa del Sol, focusing on long-term reliability, decreased cost and increased performance of PV modules.

CFV Solar Test Laboratory and Fraunhofer USA are creating 30 - 40 highly qualified jobs in the PV industry, a key part of the emerging green economy. They will establish a state-of-the-art facility implementing the latest advances for PV performance and safety testing.

About CSA Group
CSA Group is an independent, not-for-profit membership association serving business, industry, government and consumers. CSA Group consists of three divisions: CSA Standards, a leading standards-based solutions organization, providing standards development, application products, training and advisory services; CSA International, which provides testing and certification services for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, gas and a variety of other products; and OnSpeX, a provider of consumer product evaluation, inspection and advisory services for retailers and manufacturers. For more, visit www.csagroup.org

About The VDE Testing and Certification Institute
The VDE Testing and Certification Institute is an independent institution which is nationally and internationally accredited. The VDE Institute is responsible for testing and certifying the safety and performance of electronic devices, components and systems for the consumer and the general public using the highest standards of quality. For more, visit www.vde.com

About Fraunhofer ISE and Fraunhofer CSE
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is the largest organization for applied research in Europe with 59 research institutes and 17,000 employees.  Fraunhofer USA, Inc. is a non-profit applied research organization headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan with six research centers that collaborate with major universities throughout the U.S. ( www.fraunhofer.org ). Fraunhofer USA’s Center for Sustainable Energy Systems CSE, located in Cambridge, MA, is an applied research and development laboratory dedicated to the commercialization of clean energy technologies. CSE engages in contract research and development with private companies, government entities, and academic institutions. Current research focuses on PV module design and manufacturing and energy efficient building technologies. www.cse.fraunhofer.org

The Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, located in Freiburg, Germany is the largest solar energy research institute in Europe. The Institute is committed to promoting energy supply systems which are sustainable, economic, safe and socially just.  ISE develops materials, components, systems and processes for seven different business areas: Energy-Efficient Buildings and Technical Building Components, Applied Optics and Functional Surfaces, Solar Thermal Technology, Silicon Photovoltaics, Alternative Photovoltaic Technology, Renewable Power Generation and Hydrogen Technology.  ISE operates several testing centers for various solar technologies and in the building sector. www.ise.fraunhofer.de