TÜV Rheinland Blog - Insights from Asia and Africa

DB Schenker and TÜV Rheinland Develop New Logistics System for Photovoltaic Modules

Posted by TUV Rheinland on Feb 22, 2017 7:00:00 PM
TUV Rheinland

Together with DB Schenker, TÜV Rheinland has developed a completely new system for detecting damage incurred while transporting photovoltaic modules. This unique method supports transport control as well as protection of the delicate solar technology and helps to improve certain working steps.

ogistics System for Photovoltaic Modules.png

Basic facts

Client DB Schenker
Project location Antwerpen, Belgium
Main services
  • ƒƒTechnical advisory service
  • Quality certification
  • Inspection of logistics system

Initial situation and requirements

Transportation phases such as packaging, loading, travel and unloading negatively impact the overall performance of 5 to 10 percent of all photovoltaic modules. The innovative DBSCHENKERpvchain monitoring and control system provides a new transparency during the transport of photovoltaic modules. Monitoring services can now be implemented all the way from manufacturer to end customer.

The new system calls for inspections of quality and packaging processes during production and examinations of operational processes for products leaving the plant. Transport is then continuously monitored and technical controls are conducted upon delivery. Representative samples of delivered products are drawn and tested in a specially equipped TÜV Rheinland laboratory at the DB Schenker incoming warehouse in Antwerpen.

Solutions, results

All DB Schenker containers traveling from Asia to Europe are equipped with special shock and vibration sensors (DBSCHENKERsmartbox). Current information on the status and location of each shipment can be constantly monitored via GPS. According to the continual data gathered during transport, conclusions about transgressions of the determined stress levels can be made.

Precise inspections and analyses can be conducted at the TÜV Rheinland and DB Schenker collaborative test laboratory in Antwerpen. The facility allows representative samples to be drawn during normal workflow conditions to avoid any unnecessary additional transports.

All interpreted test patterns and inspection results are collected and made available in a database. DBSCHENKERpvchain strives to enhance transparent quality and performance levels of photovoltaic modules in order to establish higher quality standards for manufacturers and investors.

Benefits for the client

TÜV Rheinland supports DB Schenker by providing:
  • Quality assurance and expertise to secure the investment.
  • Highly-qualified and experienced experts to inspect the required samples.
  • Independent assessment supporting the logistics system as a sound project.
For more information on our PV testing services, please visit our website or contact us to speak to one of our experts.

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Topics: photovoltaics, PV