ABSTRACT
The theme under which PV systems are installed in developing countries is undergoing a transformation from international aid programmes towards a commercial market. There is the serious danger that the product quality will be sacrificed for the low initial investment cost. There is concern that some components do not have the performance and lifetime which are required, damaging the reputation of PV systems in a number of countries and towards the donor organisations. The widespread adoption of PV will not occur if the customer and the client have bad experience of non-functioning systems. If the photovoltaic market is to mature, drastic improvements in terms of component and system quality, local involvement in selection and maintenance must be established as soon as possible. If industrial enterprises from developed countries use the LDC's as a market for low quality products, the entire PV market is in serious danger of completely losing its reputation both from the end users and the financing institutions, hence the commercial market will never become a wide-spread reality. In the authors' view, international standards for PV products, testing of PV systems, components, and the introduction of one common quality system are absolutely essential to ensure: ⇒ Continuity of PV electrification projects and growth of the commercial market ⇒ Reliability of systems ⇒ Local production of quality products at competitive cost This paper describes the discrepancies between general prejudices and the reality concerning the introduction of international standards and quality systems in the field of solar home systems.
