SUNSPEC SPECIFICATIONS

SUNSPEC SPECIFICATIONS AND
INFORMATION MODELS

SunSpec publishes free, open interoperability specifications and information models that software developers, hardware manufacturers, and integrators use to achieve plug-and-play interoperability between Distributed Energy Resource (DER) components and smart grid applications. All SunSpec specifications are free to download and use. SunSpec also supports international standard communication protocols that adhere to open principles.

SUNSPEC MODBUS

SunSpec Modbus is an open standard, referenced in IEEE 1547-2018, that enables interoperability amongst DER system components. The SunSpec Alliance currently manages SunSpec Modbus testing directly and is in the process of transferring testing responsibilities to SunSpec Authorized Test Laboratories. 

 

The SunSpec Modbus package includes:

 

  • SunSpec Modbus Fact Sheet
  • SunSpec Technology Overview
  • SunSpec Device Information Model Specification
  • SunSpec DER Information Model Specification
  • SunSpec Information Model Reference (includes APPROVED 700 Series DER Models)
  • SunSpec Model Definition (Includes SMDX and JSON) (Download from Github)
  • SunSpec Energy Storage Model Description
  • SunSpec Modbus Vendor Extensions
  • SunSpec Modbus IEEE 1547-2018 Specification, Profile and Implementation Guide
  • SunSpec SVP Dashboard Download
  • SunSpec SVP Dashboard License Request (Membership required)
DOWNLOAD SUNSPEC MODBUS SPECIFICATIONS

SUNSPEC MODBUS FOR 1547

The SunSpec Modbus for IEEE 1547 interface is fully interoperable with IEEE 2030.5 and IEEE 1815, the other communication interfaces identified in IEEE 1547-2018.
  
The SunSpec Modbus for 1547 package includes:
  • SunSpec Modbus Fact Sheet
  • SunSpec Technology Overview
  • SunSpec Device Information Model Specification
  • SunSpec DER Information Model Specification
  • SunSpec Information Model Reference Sheet
  • SunSpec Modbus IEEE 1547-2018 Specification, Profile and Implementation Guide
  • SunSpec SVP Dashboard Download
  • SunSpec SVP Dashboard License Request (Membership required)
  • SunSpec Modbus for 1547 Test Specification (coming soon)
  • SunSpec Model Definition (Includes SMDX and JSON) (Download from Github)
DOWNLOAD SUNSPEC MODBUS FOR 1547 SPECIFICATIONS

California Rule 21 (IEEE 2030.5/CSIP)

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 Common Smart Inverter Profile.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. 

 

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 IEEE 2030.5/CSIP Conformance Test Procedures Results Reporting
  • SunSpec Test PKI Certificate Application Note
  • PICS Template

DOWNLOAD 2030.5/CSIP SPECIFICATIONS

 

SUNSPEC RAPID SHUTDOWN

The SunSpec Certified program for Rapid Shutdown verifies compliance to the SunSpec Communication Signal for Rapid Shutdown Functional Specification to meet the requirement established by National Electrical Code (NEC) 2017. PV module-level power control and safety (“rapid shutdown”) is required in 24 states starting in January 2019 and will affect millions of PV panels and all solar inverters. This standard is tested using UL 1741 SA criteria.

The SunSpec Communication Signal for Rapid Shutdown Specifications package includes:

  • Rapid Shutdown Fact Sheet
  • SunSpec Communication Signal for Rapid Shutdown Functional Specification
  • SunSpec Communication Signal for Rapid Shutdown Test Specification
  • PICS Template
  • SunSpec Rapid Shutdown Prior Art Synopsis
DOWNLOAD RAPID SHUTDOWN SPECIFICATIONS

 

SUNSPEC DER CYBERSECURITY

The mission of the SunSpec / Sandia DER Cybersecurity Work Group is to support the deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) by defining best practices in cybersecurity for DER and driving the concepts that emerge from these best practices into relevant national and international standards. The following documents include the published results of this initiative. 

The SunSpec Cybersecurity Specifications package includes:

  • SunSpec Test PKI Certificate Application Note
  • CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION Actions Needed to Address Significant Cybersecurity Risks Facing the Electric Grid
  • Certification Procedures for Data and Communications Security of DER
  • Recommendations for Trust and Encryption in DER Interoperability Standards [SAND2019-1490]
  • Roadmap for Photovoltaic Cyber Security [SAND2017-13262]
  • Recommendations for Distributed Energy Resource Patching [SAND2021-11150]
DOWNLOAD CYBERSECURITY SPECIFICATIONS

 

ORANGE BUTTON

Orange Button is an open data exchange standard for the distributed solar PV industry. Comprised of information models, a standard taxonomy, a standard Application Program Interface (API), and supporting compliance test suites, Orange Button enables the free flow of data between information systems used in the solar asset lifecycle to decrease long term costs and increase innovation.

 

The SunSpec Orange Button Document Package includes:

  • Orange Button Fact Sheet
  • Orange Button Taxonomy Guide
  • Orange Button Taxonomy Data Definitions
  • Orange Button Taxonomy
  • Orange Button XBRL Application Programing Interface (API)
  • Orange Button GitHub Library of Projects

Check out SunSpec.OrangeButton.io for more information about the program!

DOWNLOAD ORANGE BUTTON SPECIFICATIONS

 

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

Developed in conjunction with NREL and Sandia National Laboratory under U.S. Department of Energy funding.
DOWNLOAD SUNSPEC O&M BEST PRACTICES GUIDE

SUNSPEC BLOCKCHAIN

The SunSpec Blockchain package includes:

  • Blockchain to Record Private Key Properties in DER Equipment Specification
DOWNLOAD SUNSPEC BLOCKCHAIN SPECIFICATIONS

 

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