Driving forward sustainable energy solutions: VDE Group strengthens presence in the USA

(Fremont, California/Frankfurt a. M., March 8, 2024) The VDE Group is expanding its offering in the field of testing and certification of products in the area of renewable energy systems. The Renewable Energy Test Center (RETC), part of the VDE Group, is acquiring SolarPTL, a globally recognized independent PV testing laboratory in the USA. Founded in 1992 in Tempe, Arizona, SolarPTL is a pioneering company in the PV certification industry in the United States. The acquisition brings together the two companies' extensive expertise: While RETC has an outstanding reputation in performance evaluation and hail damage risk assessment of solar modules, among other things, SolarPTL is a trailblazer in the field of quality and performance testing of photovoltaic solutions and their exposure to weathering. 

Synergy effects in research and development

VDE CEO Ansgar Hinz: "For over 130 years, VDE has stood for the highest quality of standards. As an independent technology organization, we use our experience and our network to promote sustainable energy solutions and accelerate innovation in this field. The collaboration between RETC and SolarPTL promotes joint research and development efforts that will lead to breakthroughs in testing methods and efficiency improvements for investors and operators. It also brings us even closer to our customers' power plant projects." 

The combined company will become a thought leader in renewable energy testing and certification in North America and beyond. Cherif Kedir, CEO of RETC: "The acquisition marks an expansion of RETC's certification services and strengthens its position as a trusted partner for manufacturers, installers and project developers. With locations in California, Nevada and Arizona, RETC significantly expands its national footprint to better reach customers throughout the United States. They benefit from streamlined processes, competitive costs, and a consistently high quality of service unlocked by this partnership." 

CEO Cherif Kedir guarantees the seamless integration of SolarPTL into the RETC family, ensuring a smooth transition for existing customers.

About RETC (RETC part of the VDE GROUP)

RETC is a leading independent test lab for photovoltaic and battery products. Since 2009, downstream manufacturers, developers, independent engineers, and financiers have trusted RETC to test and vet their modules, inverters, energy storage systems, and racking products. Only the latest testing standards and industry-accepted methods of vetting products are used at RETC. Headquartered in Fremont, CA., RETC is united by the belief in enabling a safer and more sustainable future. 

As members of the VDE Group, the RETC team will provide important contributions to VDE’s umbrella of testing and certification services by continuing to pave its path as leaders in services like beyond-certification, bankability, energy storage, and hail durability testing. RETC’s testing capability is also set to expand to serve a higher volume of projects and customers. 

For more information, visit www.retc-ca.com 

About VDE

VDE, one of the largest technology organizations in Europe, has been regarded as a synonym for innovation and technological progress for more than 130 years. VDE is the only organization in the world that combines science, standardization, testing, certification, and application consulting under one umbrella. The VDE mark has been synonymous with the highest safety standards and consumer protection for more than 100 years. 

Our passion is the advancement of technology, the next generation of engineers and technologists, and lifelong learning and career development “on the job”. Within the VDE network more than 2,000 employees at over 60 locations worldwide, more than 100,000 honorary experts, and around 1,500 companies are dedicated to ensuring a future worth living: networked, digital, electrical.  
Shaping the e-dialistic future. 

The VDE (VDE Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies) is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. For more information, visit www.vde.com