Quality Assurance

RETS has been established to ensure the quality of components, products and systems used in renewable energy sectors.  Quality assurance of solar PV components and systems is accomplished through laboratory and field testing of the components and system as well following the prevailing standard – NIPQA.  Laboratory as well as Field Testing of the following components are performed:

• PV module
• Deep Cycle Battery
• Charge Controller
• Lamp
  
  

In case of Solar thermal products and services, RETS is closely working with EU funded Renewable Energy Project (REP) under Alternative Energy Promotion Centre (AEPC). To develop quality assurance mechanisms under this programme, new Solar Thermal Test Laboratory will be established within a framework of RETS. RETS with cooperation of NAST has already started the construction of new building for the solar thermal laboratory.  Activities that are ongoing for the establishment of Solar Thermal Test Laboratory can be highlighted as:

• Construction of laboratory building
• Design of the test station
• Development of a Code of practice
• Supply of Equipment
• Development of Standards and Tests based on international practice
• Development of Manuals and procedures
• Staff recruitment and training

Solar thermal test laboratory will be equipped for testing the following components, products and parameters:

• Solar water heaters: Performance, safety and durability tests
• Water tanks: Heat loss measurement
• Solar collectors: Performance and durability tests
• Solar dryers: Performance and durability tests
• Solar cookers: Performance tests

RETS existing PV Laboratory will be upgraded to establish testing facilities for Institutional Photovoltaic System (ISPS) and Photovoltaic Water Pumping System (PVPS) for which Renewable Energy Project  (REP) of AEPC will provide necessary test equipment.

Upgraded PV test laboratory will be equipped for testing the following additional components, products and parameters:

• Inverters: Performance and durability tests
• Charge controllers used in ISPS: Performance and durability tests
• PV powered water pump: Performance and durability tests
• Field testing of Solar Water Pump.

For the quality assurance and standardization of Biomass technology, AEPC/ESAP, RETS and NAST are working as a network partner. AEPC/ESAP has initiated the development of testing protocol for mud ICS. On the basis of testing protocol required and appropriate testing equipment will be identified to undertake quality testing of the various parameters. RETS has initiated the interaction and discussions with NAST to use its existing biomass laboratory. RETS in collaboration with AEPC/ESAP will upgrade the laboratory making it capable in testing the required parameters of Biomass and Biogas components.
Discussions are also under way with BSP to initiate the testing of certain components used in Biogas.

Laboratory set-up and testing of micro-hydro components such as turbine is complex and needs a huge amount of investment. It will not be feasible to test all the components of micro-hydro at the prevailing condition. However, it would be feasible to carry out testing and calibration of energy-meter (kWh meter) used in users’ house in micro-hydro. RETS has initiated discussions with AEPC for the development of laboratory facilities for testing energy meters being used in micro-hydro.