Company Profile

pioneering spirit and enthusiasm

The Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin (PI-Berlin AG) was founded in 2006 by some of the best-known names in the PV industry, including Dr. Paul Grunow, co-founder of Q-Cells SE and Solon SE, and Prof. Dr. Stefan Krauter, co-founder of Solon SE and Rio Solar Ltd., Dipl. Ing. Sven Lehman, systems engineer from Energiebiss and Solon and now head of Solar Experts (which will turn into PI-Systems), PI-Berlin has become a valued resource for the global solar market, offering testing analysis, consulting services and original research. The move to become an accredited ISO/IEC lab evolved as a result of the mounting demand for quality engineering and points to the founding team’s core strengths.

As the first German institute of this kind, PI-Berlin deals exclusively with photovoltaic modules consisting thin and crystalline solar cell technology.

The core of the Institute is a test laboratory in which performance assessment and essential tests according to the IEC and UL-guidelines can be realized. Three climate chambers allowing to run different IEC cycles in parallel and providing space for 180 modules along with a pilot module production line for prototypes (up to 1.4 m x 2 m laminations) complete the set.

PI-Berlin has received accreditation as an official ISO/IEC 17025 testing laboratory for the PV industry. Since May 2009 PI is accredited by IEC for IEC 61215, IEC 61646 und IEC 61730 and related norms.