SunSpec Certified™ Authorized Test Laboratories address testing requirements inherent in CA Rule 21 and 2017 NEC® data communications functionality.
SAN JOSE, CA – January 22, 2019 – SunSpec Alliance, the information standards and certification organization for the Distributed Energy Resource (DER) industry, announced the first SunSpec Authorized Test Laboratory (ATL) partners to provide SunSpec Certified™ testing services to a global roster of SunSpec Alliance member companies. Those test partners include UL LLC, Kyrio, a subsidiary of CableLabs, SGS, PCTEST Engineering Laboratory Inc., Intertek, CSA Group and TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc.
The SunSpec Certified program culminates 10 years of developing de facto standards that enable solar PV and energy storage systems to interoperate transparently with system components, software applications, financial systems and the smart grid. The program provides DER interoperability, data communications and cybersecurity functionality standards, aligned with international and national protocols, to accelerate industry growth, lower costs and enhance customer confidence.
Initial DER communication compliance programs addressed by SunSpec ATLs include Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard (IEEE) 2030.5™ / Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP), the default communication standard for California Rule 2, and SunSpec Communication Signal for Rapid Shutdown, a de facto standard to achieve compliance with the PV hazard control requirements of the 2017 National Electrical Code.
The testing laboratories now part of the SunSpec ecosystem offer diverse skills to successfully fulfill interoperability, data communications and cybersecurity testing services and include both Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NTRLs) and high-volume communication specialists. They meet the requirements outlined in the SunSpec Request for Proposal open program to deliver high quality communication protocol compliance testing services.
SunSpec Certified Authorized Test Laboratories announced to date include:
- UL LLC – www.ul.com
- Kyrio – https://kyrio.com/seven-sunspec-alliance-authorized-test-laboratories-announced/
- SGS – www.sgs.com
- PCTEST Engineering Laboratory Inc. – http://www.pctest.com/
- Intertek – www.intertek.com/energy/testing/inverter-and-converter
- CSA Group – www.csagroup.org
- TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc. – tuv.com/solar
SunSpec recently upgraded its SunSpec Certified program to fulfill its responsibilities as the compliance authority for California Rule 21 communication requirements (SunSpec test criteria is specifically referenced in CA Rule 21) and to realize the success of the SunSpec Communication Signal for Rapid Shutdown standard, which has been adopted by more than 50 semiconductor, PV module and inverter manufacturers.
“Communication-oriented markets leverage certification programs to foster growth, increase stakeholder confidence and lower total system costs. The SunSpec Certified program employs best practices proven by other industries,” said Tom Tansy, Chairman of the SunSpec Alliance. “SunSpec Authorized Test Laboratories provide impartiality and broad market availability of test services for dominant DER communication standards. As solar, storage and other DER systems proliferate on the grid, interoperability requirements make the SunSpec certification program more important than ever to deliver on the vision of California and the nation for clean energy generation.”
SunSpec Authorized Test Laboratories represent a foundational service for inverter and other component manufacturers to demonstrate readiness to meet the communications requirements of California Rule 21. They provide testing services, with the SunSpec engineering team responsible for validating results and issuing certification marks.
For more information about SunSpec Authorized Test Laboratories and the SunSpec Certification program visit sunspec.org/sunspec-certification.
About SunSpec Alliance
SunSpec Alliance is the information standards and certification organization for the Distributed Energy Resource (DER) industry. SunSpec communication standards address operational requirements of solar and energy storage on the smart grid to reduce cost, promote technology innovation, and accelerate industry growth. More information at: www.SunSpec.org
Quotes
“UL is delighted to be recognized as an authorized test laboratory with Sunspec. Over UL’s 124 year history we have driven global research and standards to continually advance and meet ever-evolving product safety, performance and interoperability needs. UL is committed to being a world leader in the testing of interconnected systems and products for the electric utility grid. UL was a leader in the effort to establish advanced distributed energy resource requirements culminating in the creation of the UL 1741 SA for advanced inverters with grid support functionality and now is excited to support advanced inverter and DER integration with utilities through standardized utility to DER communications. The partnership with SunSpec is key to advancing UL’s mission of working to make a safer world.” – Scott Picco, Business Development Manager, Energy Systems & E-Mobility, UL LLC
“We are very excited to be joining the SunSpec Alliance and to bring our long history of device certification to the rapidly growing renewable energy industry. Kyrio has certified over 1500 devices, resulting in 2.3 billion units shipped since 2001, and we look forward to the privilege of certifying devices for SunSpec members to make renewable energy products and devices as safe and secure as possible.” – Jason Lauer, Kyrio VP of Engineering & Test Service
Omar Kalim Vazquez, Project Manager at SGS: “It’s a great privilege to become a SunSpec ATL partner at a time of incredible growth and opportunity for the DER industry. SGS has established a worldwide network of testing and certification facilities which, coupled with our expertise in the global renewable energy industry, ensures we are best placed to support Alliance member companies in achieving outstanding performance that will maximize growth, reduce costs and boost customer confidence in clean energy generation.”
“PCTEST is proud and honored to join the SunSpec Alliance as an Authorized Test Laboratory (ATL). We look forward to bringing our many years’ experience in conformance certification testing to the program. We are dedicated to quality of service, expedited support and product confidentiality & security. PCTEST is looking forward to providing our expertise to SunSpec’s Distributed Energy Resource (DER) member manufacturers and contributing to the efficiency and safety of renewable energy.” – Andrea Zaworski, Laboratory Director, PCTEST Engineering Laboratory Inc.
“TÜV Rheinland has a long history in product safety and security, and is an industry leader in Global Market Access services. During this time of growth in the DER industry, we are very excited to be a part of helping SunSpec members and all other PV inverter manufacturers bring safe and secure devices with high performance to the market. With a state-of-the-art facility in Fremont, CA and other high-end facilities around the globe, TÜV Rheinland and its extensive network of experts can support comprehensive compliance for energy customers, worldwide.” – Ulrike Therhaag, Global Business Field Manager – Solar
“CSA Group is honored to be named a SunSpec Certified Authorized Test Laboratory. For 100 years, we have worked hard to hold the future to a higher standard through standards development, testing, inspection and certification services for emerging technologies that help make the world safer and more sustainable. We are thrilled about the opportunity to work with global renewable energy product manufacturers and offer our technical expertise in the testing of smart inverters to the requirements of CA Rule 21 and 2017 NEC® data communications functionality.” – Dana Parmenter, Vice President, Industrial, CSA Group
Media Contact
SunSpec Alliance
Tom Tansy
M: Marketing@SunSpec.org
T: 408-217-9110
