Trade and quality infrastructure

Trade in solar PV goods and services can only help to build a competitive solar energy sector if the goods and services in question meet customer requirements and are otherwise fit for the purpose for which they are intended. Underperforming, unreliable and failing products create barriers to the development and enhancement of solar PV and hamper the role of trade in promoting the technology's rapid diffusion across borders. A wellfunctioning QI system is a key tool to keep deficient, sub-standard quality products from entering the supply chain and to build a competitive solar PV sector that delivers economic, social and environmental benefits (IRENA, 2017a).