SunSpec Rapid Shutdown
WHAT IS IT
AN OPEN STANDARD FOR NEC 2017
RAPID SHUTDOWN COMMUNICATION
The safest, most effective way to ensure NEC 2017 Rapid Shutdown compliance is to utilize open, standardized, certified solutions. The SunSpec Alliance is the trusted source for open standards and certification, and is a stalwart defender of the industry’s right to compete.

Get Sunspec Rapid Shutdown Certified
Only the “SunSpec Certified” mark warrants verification of a complete and successful implementation of the SunSpec Communication Signal for Rapid Shutdown Functional Specification.
A manufacturer’s or other 3rd party’s declaration of “SunSpec compliance” or “SunSpec compatibility” is not equivalent to a SunSpec issued certificate.
BASED ON MATURE TECHNOLOGY
The lowest cost solution to a fundamental market requirement, SunSpec Rapid Shutdown reduces installation and interconnection costs with Plug-and-Play system components and reports system health every time the sun comes up or the system is re-activated.
INSTILLING CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
As an open standard, SunSpec Rapid Shutdown protects consumer differentiators with competitive pricing, multi-vendor choices, options and value availability. It ensures system service and upgrades with a choice of vendors and interoperable components. Moreover, it increases consumer safety and confidence in DER technology.
IMPROVING SYSTEM SAFETY
Provides a simple, robust, and reliable solution to reduce the voltage at module level to 1V per module to comply with NEC 2017 requirements.
TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR SUNSPEC RAPID SHUTDOWN
DOWNLOADS
EDUCATION
WORK GROUP
Download SunSpec Rapid Shutdown Specification Package
Available the public at no cost, the SunSpec Rapid Shutdown Specification package is free to download. Submit the form below to access the package.
SunSpec Rapid Shutdown Education
SunSpec offers online education courses for DER industry professionals working with SunSpec Rapid Shutdown. Members of the SunSpec Alliance receive a 20% discount on all courses.
SUNSPEC RAPID SHUTDOWN WORK GROUP
The mission of the SunSpec Communication Signal for Rapid Shutdown (SunSpec RSD) Workgroup is to define a simple, open, multi-vendor, multi-device communication interoperability specification to support NEC 2017 and NEC 2020 690.12 rapid shutdown requirements. SunSpec RSD receivers can be applied in in solar arrays as single-module, multi-module, and string-level devices and SunSpec RSD transmitters can be applied adjacent to or embedded in inverters or power conversion devices.
Resources For Installers
The SunSpec Rapid Shutdown certification mark ensures a product’s compliance with NEC 2017 requirements for module-level rapid shutdown as well as interoperability with other SunSpec RSD certified devices in a PV system.

SUNSPEC RAPID SHUTDOWN NEWS & EVENTS
SunSpec Communication Signal for Rapid Shutdown Whitepaper
SAN JOSE, Calif., February 9th, 2021-- In 2015, 30 members of the SunSpec Alliance formed a technical working group to address the industry-wide need for a standardized data communication solution for PV module rapid shutdown. The mission of the SunSpec Communication...
Standardization: The sign of a maturing solar industry
Original Article Published by PV Magazine By Tom Tansy The model of industry-wide standardization is one that the solar industry should look to achieve. A set of reliable rapid-shutdown standards will provide installers with the same level of choice and simplicity...
SunCast Podcast Episode 290: How SunSpec is Advancing Rapid Shutdown for Solar
Take a listen to the first of two SunCast Podcast episodes featuring Chairman of the SunSpec Alliance, Tom Tansy. In this episode, Tom discusses SunSpec's role in the advancement of rapid shutdown technology and the industry-wide benefits of information standards for...
JOIN THE INITIATIVE
Keep up to date with the SunSpec Rapid Shutdown Initiative and the SunSpec Alliance Newsletter by signing up here.