SunSpec Alliance announced SGS as an Authorized Test Laboratory (ATL) partner.

The announcement gives SGS, the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company, authority to provide SunSpec CertifiedTM testing services to SunSpec Alliance members – a global roster of over 100 solar and storage distributed energy industry participants.

Omar Kalim Vazquez, Project Manager at SGS said: “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 energy industry, ensures we are best placed to support Alliance member companies in achieving outstanding performance that will maximize growth.”

The SunSpec Certified program culminates 10 years of specifying de facto standards that enable solar PV and energy storage Distributed Energy power plants 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.

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.

SGS was awarded ATL status by SunSpec for its ability to fulfill interoperability, data communications and cybersecurity testing services and to deliver high quality communication protocol compliance testing services.

As an ATL partner, SGS will deliver DER communication compliance programs including Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Standard (IEEE) 2030.5TM / Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP), the default communication standard for California Rule 21 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®.

“We welcome SGS on board,” 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.”

SGS is adept at helping energy companies run smooth, profitable and reliable businesses, with expertise to ensure that regulations are met, safety is considered at every stage and environmental impact is limited.

With expertise in renewable energy, SGS supports organizations involved in hydroelectric power, wind power, solar power generation, and the manufacture, distribution and sale of alternative fuels.

SGS supports the entire value chain of a solar module system investment, from inception to manufacturing inspection, technical consultancy, construction supervision and performance verification; providing a range of services to accompany solar technology projects from research and design analysis, to module testing, solar and photovoltaic certification.

Its global knowledge base, advanced solar testing equipment and team of experts enables SGS to offer a comprehensive range of services – for manufacture and solar module systems operation. Its laboratory facilities are available around the clock to provide a prompt response to enable projects to run smoothly and on time.

For more information, visit www.SunSpec.org.