SGS Highlights How Solar PV Testing Helped 44west to Success
BAAR, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / April 01, 2026 / SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a Consumer Compact article that goes behind the scenes of team 44west’s victory in the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic, highlighting the critical role of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems testing that helped power their success.
With PV systems an increasingly important part of the global energy mix, the panels that powered 44west’s electricity came under intense evaluation from SGS. A light, sustainable and reliable power source was essential for vital onboard equipment and communications. As one of the harshest environments in which a solar PV system can operate, the Atlantic posed a formidable challenge to the system’s performance, resilience and safety, making this technology a true lifeline for the team.
Ensuring performance and confidence
System failure had the potential to jeopardize 44west’s race. The team relied on SGS’s evaluations of the PV panels. A consistent energy yield was crucial for online navigation, desalination of their water and daily check-ins with loved ones and mission control. SGS conducted visual inspections, insulation resistance testing, wet leakage current testing and performance/environmental assessments to verify reliability under extreme conditions.
These insights enabled the team to make informed, strategic decisions throughout the voyage that took into account the extreme conditions, allowing them to race with confidence and removing concerns about potential power loss.
The future for solar energy
The rapid growth in solar PV capacity has fueled increasing demand for verifiable independent testing. These trusted assessments inform better design and engineering decisions, as well as strengthening long-term financial models and accelerating the global shift away from fossil fuels. SGS supports manufacturers, developers and operators worldwide with comprehensive solar panel testing services, helping clients improve product quality, enhance reliability and compete successfully in global markets.
Read more in the Consumer Compact article, ‘Proving Solar Reliability: From 44west to Global Energy Systems.’
For further information, contact:
Van Hua
Project Manager, Connectivity & Products, China
Tel: +86(21)61915055
About Us
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.
Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.
SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).
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