SunSpec IEEE 2030.5 / CSIP Certification
California Rule 21 requires that, by default, Distributed Energy Resources within Investor Owned Utilities (IOU) must utilize the IEEE™ 2030.5-2018 networking standard in the manner described in the SunSpec Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP).
Products certified by SunSpec to the 2030.5 standard for wide area communication can be installed on sites connected to California Investor Owned Utilities and have the confidence in their compatibility with local area communication protocols like the freely available SunSpec Modbus Standards.
SunSpec IEEE 2030.5/CSIP Certification Testing must be conducted by one of our Authorized Test Labs (ATLs). Each test lab is free to determine its own testing and fee structures. Once a Certification Application and payment have been submitted to SunSpec a shared space is opened where your ATL test engineer can submit test results for our analysis. SunSpec evaluates the test results for compliance to the SunSpec CSIP and the SunSpec CSIP Test Procedures and then awards the Certificate!

The 2030.5/CSIP package includes:
- SunSpec Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP)
- SunSpec Common Smart Inverter Profile Test Procedure
- SunSpec DER Information Model and UL1741 Supplement SA Interoperability Report
- SunSpec Test PKI Certificate Application Note
- PICS Template
COMPLETE FORM TO ACCESS SPECIFICATIONS
Applicable Components
IEEE™ 2030.5 clients, gateways, aggregators and servers. Certification is applicable to software running on embedded devices and cloud services alike.
Scope
- Four scenarios
- Aggregator configuration is clear preference
- Gateway/EMS configurations include certain network segments that are out of scope
The SunSpec Certified Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) program is designed to increase stakeholder confidence in Distributed Energy Resource (DER) communication solutions, including those enabling interoperability of smart inverters, smart PV modules, EV charging, and energy storage.
Public Key Infrastructure is the preferred method of authentication for networked ecosystems due to its strength and scalability. In addition, advances in the hardware and semiconductor industries have allowed for strong authentication using Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) and PKI to be implemented in small devices very economically.
PKI is designated as the method of authentication used for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard (IEEE Std.) 2030.5 and is therefore the method to be used for authenticating and securing communications for SunSpec Certified™ products and services. Thus, the program’s initial focus is to fulfill California Rule 21 compliance.
The program will then address the rollout of IEEE 1547™-2018. IEEE 1547 establishes uniform requirements for interconnection of DERs, such as photovoltaics and battery systems, with the electric power system.
IEEE™ 1815-AN2018
We are open to testing IEEE™ 1815-AN2018. Please contact Certification@SunSpec.org to discuss your requirements.
2030.5 / CSIP News and Updates
Fall Quarter: Secure Communication Networking for Distributed Energy Resources
Date: Fall Quarter, Starting September 24, 2019 Location: Online Description: This fully online 9 week course is intended to provide current and future engineers working in the distributed energy industry with the information they need to design products that...
Bulletin: CA Rule 21 DRAFT Resolution E-5000
DRAFT Resolution E-5000 clarifies smart inverter communications requirements in response to the petition of the California Solar & Storage Association for modification of Resolutions E-4832 and E-4898 June 6, 2019 Today the California Public Utilities...
CA Rule 21 – Comments on Petition of the CALSSA for Modification of Resolution E-4832 and Resolution E-4898 and Subsequent Responses to Petition
PDF of Full Document Text of Letter: April 29, 2019 Subject: Comments on Petition of the California Solar & Storage Association for Modification of Resolution E-4832 and Resolution E-4898 and Subsequent Responses to Petition. With this letter and the attached...
Summer Quarter: Secure Communication Networking for Distributed Energy Resources
Date: Summer Quarter, Starting July 2, 2019 Location: Online Description: This fully online 9 week course is intended to provide current and future engineers working in the distributed energy industry with the information they need to design products that incorporate...
What’s the Status of the Smart Grid?
For full article, visit Solar Power World By Kelsey Misbrener Inverters are now required to be ‘smart’ and perform certain grid assistance roles thanks to the updated IEEE code. But what’s the status of the smart grid in general? The concept and capabilities of the...
Spring Quarter: Secure Communication Networking for Distributed Energy Resources
Date: Spring Quarter, Starting April 9, 2019 Location: Online Description: This fully online 9 week course is intended to provide current and future engineers working in the distributed energy industry with the information they need to design products that incorporate...
California Rule 21: Roadmap to August 22, 2019
Join SunSpec for California Rule 21: Roadmap to August 22, 2019, March 25, 2019 in concert with the Solarplaza, Solar Asset Management NA event in San Francisco. The price for the workshop is $400 which can be attended as a standalone event. Get 15% discount on...
Sneak Peek Webinar for the SunSpec March 25 Workshop, California Rule 21: Roadmap to August 22, 2019
On March 19 via webinar, SunSpec will review the topics to be covered in depth at the upcoming workshop, California Rule 21: Roadmap to August 22, 2019. Those considering attendance at the March 25 event in San Francisco can get a sneak peek at the content for the...
SunSpec Alliance and UC San Diego Extension Announce Winter 2019 CA Rule 21 and Secure Communication Networking Courses
At the intersection of power generation and data communications, course offerings appeal to electrical and software engineers, grid specialists and solar executives SAN JOSE & SAN DIEGO, CA – January 7, 2019 – SunSpec Alliance, the information standards and...
SunSpec Market Bulletin: CA Rule 21 Smart Inverter Communications Requirements February 22, 2019 Deadline Extended to August 22, 2019
The California Public Utilities Commission issued a letter responding to the November 19, 2018 deadline extension request letter from the California Solar & Storage Association and extending the compliance deadline for Smart Inverter Phase II communications...