Solar Panel Certification

Check solar panels for certification before you buy them.

As the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) highlights, if left unchecked, global temperatures will rise by 35.6 ºF by the year 2100. Growing concerns about global warming and climate change have led to an increase in research into renewable energy sources (sources which cannot be depleted). Solar energy offers a more sustainable solution to world energy demands which, according to fusion.org, will double in the next 50 years. The burgeoning demand for solar energy has led to an influx of solar panel designs. These vary in quality and cost, and the U.S. government has introduced a solar panel certification system as a measure of solar panel quality control.

The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Certification

The U.S. national electric code requires that all PV panels sold in the U.S. must be certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Based in Chicago, UL is a private company that conducts product safety tests and certification for a range of products including solar panels, coffee makers and toasters. To certify their panels, companies pay UL approximately $50,000 to conduct a series of tests which, if passed, leads to certification. The certification process takes six months.

Process

To become certified, solar panels need to pass a series of endurance tests, including:

Hail impact test: Panels are shot with hail the size of golf balls to determine how they will hold up during hailstorms.
Rain test: This assesses if water will seep through the panels.
Humidity freeze test: This is often the most difficult test to pass. It involves a 10-day testing cycle where panels are exposed to 85 percent humidity before being subjected to temperatures of -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Shading test: This imitates natural shading occurring when trees or buildings cover parts of the roof. Some panels are kept in the dark while others are exposed to a hot, bright light.

If the panels pass the tests they are said to have UL certification 1703, which has a range of advantages over uncertified panels.

Benefits of Certification

UL certified panels are eligible for a range of benefits. The U.S. government offers rebates and tax incentives totaling up to 60 percent of building costs for solar energy houses. For solar installations to qualify for these incentives, the panels must be UL certified. Additionally, according to the U.S. National Electric Code, to connect solar panels to the national electricity grid, they must be UL certificated.

Certified Companies

In January 2010, Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide Inc. announced they had achieved UL certification for their 230 watt series of crystalline silicon solar photovoltaic modules. In October 2009, MiaSolé's thin film solar panel achieved the required standard.

International Certification

UL certification is specific to the U.S., but there is an equivalent certificate in Europe. Solar panels have to pass IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 standards abroad, but many companies choose to acquire both UL and European qualifications to sell their panels to both markets.

References

• Underwriters Laboratories Inc.: What's Your Perspective?
• Solar Panel Talk: UL Certification
• Your Renewable News: Quantum's High Efficiency Solar Panels Achieve UL Certification for US and Canada
• APEC Virtual Center: What Results From Global Warming?
• Mercury News: Solar Panels Go Through Extreme Tests at San Jose Lab

Resources

• Online Certification Directory: Begin a Basic Search