Brazil changed requirements for energy efficiency label / TÜV Rheinland successfully accredited by INMETRO / processes can be accelerated.

In addition to demonstrating compliance to international standards, manufacturers of PV modules, power inverters and solar thermal components who export their products to Brazil also need to fulfill minimum efficiency requirements. Jörg Althaus, expert at TÜV Rheinland, explains that “Brazil heavily invests in solar energy but seeks to eliminate low quality products at the same time.” Therefore, two important points regarding the import process for solar components that are provided in the guideline issued by the Rio de Janeiro Chamber of Commerce and Industry are to be considered: Goods may only be imported by companies that are registered with the Brazilian tax authority and whose articles of association include the trade and distribution of products. In addition to the fulfilment of international standards concerning type approval and safety requirements, the efficiency of modules, power inverters, solar thermal collectors and batteries shall be verified by an accredited laboratory. “Although we are talking about energy generators or transducers here, the energy efficiency labels awarded are similar to those for refrigerators,” Althaus says. Products with a low energy efficiency level must not be imported.

INMETRO, the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology, is responsible for the accreditation of laboratories in Brazil. Previously, only results provided by laboratories based in Brazil (e. g. university laboratories) were approved. Now, laboratories outside of Brazil may also be accredited and TÜV Rheinland is the only test institutes that have obtained approval as regards the testing of PV modules, power inverters and solar thermal components. “Due to accreditation for the Brazilian market we are able to simplify the logistic processes for our customers significantly,” remarks Althaus. All the importer has to do is attach the bilingual test report drawn up by the experts at TÜV Rheinland to their request. Then, as far as this point is concerned, nothing stands in the way of obtaining an import license. If needed, TÜV Rheinland’s Brazil subsidiary can also offer local support.

As of July 2014, certification of solar collectors has become mandatory. TÜV Rheinland Brazil has been accredited by INMETRO to certify solar water heating systems of up to 1.000 liters as well as similar systems and solar collectors for baths and swimming pools. The certification process comprises audits at the respective production sites and assessments of the quality management system in force. TÜV Rheinland then sends the designated samples to the laboratory for testing. This certification procedure offers the investor utmost security especially with regard to the appliances’ service life as they may also be tested in “bad weather conditions.” Thus, it is not surprising that the market for solar water heating systems in Brazil has been growing annually by about 15% since 2010.