Masdar ( Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company ), The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy and sustainable technologies, and ABB, a leading power and automation technology group announced a collaboration agreement to jointly develop a photovoltaic (PV) testing facility located within the Masdar City premises.

As a previous winner of the Zayed Future Energy Prize, ABB continues to be an ambassador for sustainability, innovation, clean power and energy efficiency.

ABB will provide expertise and specialized testing equipment to allow accurate outdoor measurement of PV systems. The design of the facility will allow PV module manufacturers to assess their equipment in a system environment, where the overall performance can be tested including DC to AC conversion with ABB's solar inverter.

Masdar will develop a flexible testing set-up with ABB's technology and expertise and be able to offer its clients services to prove their module performance in a full system, simulating a PV power plant in the desert environment as present in the Middle East.

Carlos Pone, Managing Director, UAE, ABB said, "The UAE is a vibrant economy keen to grow and develop renewable energy in the country. ABB is proud to be associated with Masdar , pioneers of clean energy in the country and sign this strategic agreement. We look forward to working with Masdar and Masdar Institute to help develop the solar industry in the emirate and the Middle East region through the learnings and results from the test facility. We are certain that with ABB's technologies, which are proven in more than 40 GW of installed inverters/converters in renewables globally, module manufacturers will benefit with testing their products in Masdar City and be able to benchmark the products in desert conditions."

Steve Griffiths, Executive Director, Office of Institute Initiatives, of Masdar Institute said, "As a research-based institution, Masdar Institute is excited to contribute to the testing and certification process for PV systems, especially in desert conditions. Our collaboration with Masdar and ABB also reflects our commitment to assist in the development of advanced and sustainable technologies. We believe this testing facility will prove to be an excellent platform for demonstrating PV module performance in Abu Dhabi's challenging climate and thereby supporting the deployment of solar PV in the regional market."

Additionally, ABB will consider collaborations on R and D projects related to PV and inverter technologies. Such collaborations may involve visits of faculty, students, and personnel of Masdar , Masdar Institute and ABB.