What Certisolis does

Certisolis is the only COFRAC-accredited laboratory in France for the testing and certification of photovoltaic (PV) modules, operating from a joint venture between two French public scientific institutions, CSTB (Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment) and LNE (Laboratoire National de métrologie et d'Essais), with a scientific partnership with CEA/INES at the Savoie Technolac site in Le Bourget-du-Lac. The company provides type approval testing and IEC certification (NF EN IEC 61215, 61646, 61730), laboratory testing (thermal cycling, damp heat, UV exposure, mechanical load, hail, PID, LID, isolation), factory preshipment inspections, on-site mobile laboratory testing at solar power plants worldwide (electroluminescence, infrared, I-V power measurement), and root-cause failure analysis using FCEA fishbone methodology, alongside the AQPV EPC certification sub-brand, the ECS carbon footprint assessment required for CRE tenders, and the SOREN Criteria Guide for eco-modulation attestation.

The business model is professional services revenue: customers are billed per testing engagement, with public pricing only disclosed for the EUR 5,000 HT ECS carbon assessment (covering documentary study, certificate issuance, and calculations for two modules); broader pricing is quote-based and tied to test complexity and duration. The customer base is split roughly evenly between PV module manufacturers (Voltec Solar, EDF ENR PWT, SYSTOVI, APOLLON Solar, RECOM Sillia) and solar power plant EPCs, developers, and operators (ENGIE, NEOEN, TENERGIE, VOLTALIA, APEX Energie, VALOREM, URBASOLAR), totaling 100+ clients for whom Certisolis executes more than 1,700 tests annually. Distribution is direct B2B enterprise sales through the Le Bourget-du-Lac laboratory and a deployable mobile lab, supported by a customer portal, bilingual website, LinkedIn presence, and trade show participation (Intersolar Munich 2023). Go-to-market emphasizes COFRAC credentials, scientific partnership with CEA/INES, and the ability to provide quality guarantees to investors in solar assets.

Name

Certisolis

Legal name

CERTISOLIS TC

Website

https://certisolis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Certisolis is the only COFRAC-accredited testing and certification laboratory for photovoltaic modules in France, a joint venture of CSTB and LNE. It serves PV module manufacturers and solar plant developers/operators with IEC certification, laboratory and mobile on-site testing, failure analysis, AQPV EPC certification, and carbon footprint assessment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Photovoltaic Testing and Certification Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar Quality, Testing, Certification & Standards (Lab Testing, Inspections, Compliance) (EUAMABAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Third-Party Certification, Code Compliance & Regulatory Inspection (ASME/API/ISO) (EUAEAHAN)

Keywords

• Photovoltaic testing
• Module certification
• Solar panel testing
• Failure analysis
• Carbon footprint assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Le Bourget-du-lac

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Testing and Certification Services: Certisolis generates revenue through providing testing and certification services for photovoltaic modules. Services include type approval tests (NF EN IEC 61215 & NF EN IEC 61730), quality assessment testing (third party flashing, EL test, IR test, PID, LID), factory inspections, and failure analysis. Testing is performed both in laboratory and on-site using mobile facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Certisolis operates the only COFRAC-accredited French testing and certification laboratory for photovoltaic modules. It performs IEC type approval tests, quality assessments, factory inspections, and failure analysis both in its Le Bourget-du-Lac laboratory and via mobile testing equipment deployed on-site at solar power plants worldwide. The company also issues Simplified Carbon Assessments (ECS) for CRE tenders and manages the AQPV quality certification for EPC firms.

Product overview

Certisolis operates as a unified testing laboratory and certification body offering a comprehensive portfolio of photovoltaic module testing and certification services. The core offerings include IEC Certification (NF EN IEC 61215, 61730) for type approval, comprehensive Laboratory Testing Services covering mechanical, climate, and electrical tests, and Failure Analysis capabilities. Mobile Laboratory Testing extends these services on-site at solar power plants. The portfolio also includes Factory Inspection for preshipment quality verification, the AQPV Certification sub-brand for EPC company quality certification, Carbon Footprint Assessment (Bilan Carbone/ECS) for CRE tender compliance, and SOREN Criteria Guide for eco-modulation evaluations. These products form an integrated quality assurance ecosystem serving module manufacturers, EPC companies, and solar power plant developers/exploiters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AQPV: Quality label and certification service for EPC companies in the photovoltaic sector, launched in 2013 and transferred to Certisolis in 2015

Products and services

• IEC Certification Type approval testing and certification for photovoltaic modules according to international IEC standards (NF EN IEC 61215 and NF EN IEC 61730), guaranteeing electrical and environmental performance. Offered to module manufacturers seeking market access certification.
• Laboratory Testing Services Comprehensive testing services including initial tests (visual inspection, power determination), mechanical tests (hail, load, impact), weathering tests (thermal cycling, damp heat, UV), and electrical tests (isolation, PID, LID, temperature coefficients). Performed in the Le Bourget-du-Lac laboratory for module manufacturers and solar power plant developers.
• Failure Analysis
• Mobile Laboratory Testing On-site field testing service with mobile laboratory facilities including power measurement (I/V), electroluminescence (EL), infrared (IR) imaging, and Ipot testing at solar power plant locations worldwide. Reduces logistics costs and risks for solar power plant developers.
• Factory Inspection (Preshipment) On-site factory auditing service to verify manufacturing processes and module quality before shipment of photovoltaic modules. Offered to module manufacturers and solar power plant developers/EPCs as third-party preshipment verification.
• AQPV Certification Quality certification service for EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) companies in the photovoltaic sector, focusing on design, construction, operation and maintenance competencies. Original brand was transferred to Certisolis in 2015 from SER (Syndicat des Energies Renouvelables).
• Carbon Footprint Assessment (Bilan Carbone) Simplified Carbon Assessment (Evaluation Carbone Simplifiée - ECS) required for CRE (Energy Regulatory Commission) tenders for solar plants. Certisolis is the only French certification body for PV products authorized to issue such assessments, which include documentary study, certificate issuance, and calculations for two modules.
• SOREN Criteria Guide Evaluation guide for eco-modulation criteria as defined by SOREN, with the capability to deliver conformity attestations for four SOREN criteria starting Q1 2025. Targeted at PV module manufacturers seeking eco-modulation compliance.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 1,700 tests performed annually for over 100 clients
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• CSTB (Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment)coreOthersCSTB is one of two parent companies of Certisolis. As an EPIC (Établissement Public à caractère Industriel et Commercial), CSTB is responsible for quality and sustainable safety in construction. Certisolis fulfills Pass'Innovation and 'Avis Technique' procedure prerequisites for analyzing photovoltaic component integration in buildings.
• LNE (Laboratoire National de métrologie et d'Essais)coreOthersLNE is one of two parent companies of Certisolis. Founded in 1901, LNE is the national reference laboratory for industry regarding metrology. Certisolis has access to LNE's testing resources as part of being a subsidiary.
• CEA/INES (Institut National de l'Énergie Solaire)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertisolis operates in scientific partnership with CEA/INES on the Savoie Technolac site. INES is the reference center in France for research, innovation and training on solar energy, hosting teams from CEA and University of Savoie. This partnership enables Certisolis to leverage world-class solar research capabilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• TÜV Rheinland: One of the world's largest PV module testing and certification bodies, operating the Cologne-based solar test lab. Directly comparable to Certisolis: same IEC 61215/61730 type approval scope, same manufacturer/developer customer base, multiple accreditations. Same business model (per-test and certification fees) at far greater scale.
• TÜV SÜD: Global testing and certification group with a dedicated PV testing arm operating across Germany and Asia. Offers the same IEC type approval, factory inspection, and bankability testing services that Certisolis provides, competing directly for French and European PV manufacturer clients.
• PI Berlin (PI Photovoltaik-Institut Berlin AG): Berlin-based independent PV testing laboratory specializing in module performance, durability, and reliability testing — particularly the 'PVP' bankability testing program widely used by European PV developers. Closely comparable scope and target clients (PV developers, financiers, insurers) to Certisolis.
• VDE Renewables: German-based testing and certification service for photovoltaic modules and power plants, operating as the renewables arm of the VDE Institute. Direct overlap with Certisolis on IEC-type PV testing, quality assessments, and bankability studies for European and international clients.

Emerging players

• PVEL (PV Evolution Labs): US-based independent PV module testing laboratory best known for the 'PVEL PV Module Reliability Scorecard' widely used by developers and financiers for bankability assessment. Niche overlap with Certisolis's failure analysis and quality assessment services, focused on a specific use case rather than full IEC certification.

Broad incumbents

• DNV: Global assurance provider with a renewable energy certification practice (DNV Energy Systems) covering PV module testing, bankability studies, and solar project certification. Overlaps with Certisolis on PV quality assurance and technical due diligence for developers and investors.
• SGS: Swiss-based global testing and certification company with renewable energy services covering PV module testing and solar farm inspection. Wide industry coverage overlapping with Certisolis's testing, inspection, and factory audit offerings but lacking the dedicated French PV specialization.
• UL Solutions: Global safety science company with PV module and inverter testing programs, particularly strong in North America but expanding in Europe. Overlaps with Certisolis on IEC-type PV certification and quality/safety qualification but is a much broader testing incumbent.
• Intertek: Global assurance, inspection, and testing company with a renewable energy practice covering PV module and inverter testing/certification. Comparable service portfolio to Certisolis at far broader scale; competes in France through its international client network rather than a dedicated French PV lab.
• Bureau Veritas: French-headquartered international testing, inspection, and certification group with a renewable energy and solar asset services line that overlaps with Certisolis's power-plant inspection and quality services. Same national base as Certisolis; competes from portfolio breadth rather than PV specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/certisolis

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Certisolis