ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP):A private sector initiative of companies led by Solar Quality Foundation (SQF) on Wednesday put into operation a new instrument for quality assurance in installation of Solar PV system in the country in collaboration with Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB).
The Pakistani Solar Quality Passport (SQP) was launched in a festive ceremony with around 80 high-ranking guests from business, public sector and civil society. Solar companies, who are committed to quality can now participate in the scheme at www.solarqualitypassport.pk . Only registered and audited companies are entitled to issue the solar quality Passport with each of their installations, giving their costumers confidence in the quality of the system.
Managing Director German Solar Association (BSW-Solar) David Wedepohl and Chairman Solar Quality Foundation (SQF) Muhammad Ishaq Bhatti inaugurated the Passport together with SQF. The foundation is the business entity behind the Solar Quality Passport. It is confident that the initiative will contribute to better quality installations and products in Pakistan.
Chairman SQF Muhammad Ishaq Bhatti said, he was very excited in pressing the green button together and after months of hard work.Now we are giving the go ahead for better quality in the installation of solar systems in Pakistan. From this step towards, let us continue to develop this great tool together and ensure that all installations in our market will be of high quality, safety and durability.
The Solar Quality Passport was a safety certification, quality assurance standard as well as an educative programme for solar PV installers. The most important aspect of the concept is peace of mind for customers. For them it means their solar PV installation complies with industry and international best practice. Also, installers have to meet at least a minimum of internationally bench marked quality and safety standards.
Customers, who wish to install a system have direct access to Solar Quality Passport endorsed companies in their vicinity. Investors can be sure that the installation is done by a suitably qualified and trained installer. Moreover, the Solar Quality Passport makes it easier to obtain good financing and insurance for their system, as the banking sector has been a partner of the initiative right from the beginning and prefers high quality systems when committing financing.
Drastic price reductions coupled with rising electricity tariffs and concerns about power supply have made solar PV increasingly attractive to both residential and commercial energy users.
The Solar Quality Passport (SQP) is a PDF based as built report to be issued with quality Solar PV units. The SQP is based on experiences from Germany and South Africa, where similar concepts have been implemented. Their experience was used in the project in Pakistan by the SQF.
