SunSpec Rapid Shutdown
WHAT IS IT
AN OPEN STANDARD FOR NEC 2017
RAPID SHUTDOWN COMMUNICATION
The safest, most effective way to ensure Rapid Shutdown (as part of NEC 2017) compliance is to utilize standardized, certified solutions. The SunSpec Alliance is the standards body that enables the global energy industry, and is the trusted source for certification of Rapid Shutdown-compliant solutions.

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 to Offer Solar Rapid Shutdown Course Through UC San Diego Extension
Original Article Published by Solar Power World Online. By Kelsey Misbrener The SunSpec Alliance announced a nine-week online course focused on educating solar PV industry participants about NEC 2017 regulations for solar PV module safety. The course will be offered...
SunSpec Partners with UC San Diego on Solar PV Rapid Shutdown Course
The Nine-Week Class Will Help Students Better Understand Today’s Solar PV Requirements SAN JOSE, Calif., August 5, 2020-The SunSpec Alliance is pleased to announce a nine-week online course focused on educating solar PV industry participants about National Electrical...
Watts Up Podcast Featuring SunSpec Alliance
Watts Up Podcast Episode hosted by GRNE Solar Featuring SunSpec Alliance Check out the newest Watts Up podcast episode hosted by GRNE Solar featuring our very own Tom Tansy! Since 2009, SunSpec has worked with developers, manufacturers and service providers on...
JOIN THE INITIATIVE
Keep up to date with the SunSpec Rapid Shutdown Initiative and the SunSpec Alliance Newsletter by signing up here.