Global
Conformity
Assessment
of Photovoltaic
systems
On-Time
Market Access
for PV Equipment
and Inverters
UL is a world leader in
Global Network and Relations
the safety, performance
inverter laboratories with OSHA & CBTL accreditation, as well as longstanding relations
and quality conformity of
PV systems. Established
as a safety certification
organization in the USA
in 1894, UL now operates
internationally with a
comprehensive range of
conformity assessment
service. By providing
PV & Inverter Lab Zeppelinheim, Germany
Inverter Lab Northbrook, Illinois
PV Lab San Jose, CA
PV Lab Ise, Japan
PV Lab Suzhou, China
PV Lab Bangalore, India
UL has a powerful global network of technical experts and state-of-the-art PV and
with regulatory authorities, partner laboratories and industry leaders.
Accelerated Go-To-Market Time
UL facilitates global market access through one investigation with bundled services –
to optimize project turnaround time, minimize administration and reduce project costs.
High Performance Partnerships
Thanks to powerful partnerships with entities such as Atlas Materials Testing
Technology (USA), CENER (Spain), EXOVA (Canada), Jet (Japan), KIER (Korea), NCKU
(Taiwan), SGEPRI (China), TERTEC (Taiwan), TIPS (China) and TTC (Taiwan), UL is able to
provide comprehensive local testing and certification services to further accelerate
global market access.
Safety, Performance and Quality Conformity
UL provides combined services for the entire PV system:
• PV Array and ‘Balance of System’: PV Modules, Inverters, Fuses, Connectors, Polymeric
multiple certifications from
Materials, Roofing Materials, Concentrated PV, Mounting Systems, Solar Tracker, Solar
one source, UL is positioned
Boxes, Grounding Devices, Charge Controllers.
to help manufacturers
quickly gain the compliance
credentials they need to
compete in the global
marketplace.
Collectors, Building Integrated PV, Wiring, Junction Boxes, Fuse Holders, Combiner
• Inverter Testing and Certification with dedicated laboratories in the USA and Europe.
• Single Test and sequence services program to support distributors and manufacturers
in research and development prototype and design, reliability and verification testing.
Applicable
Standards
• Photovoltaic (PV) modules and panels
IEC 61215 (crystalline)
IEC 61646 (thin film)
IEC 61730
EN 61215 and EN 61730
EN 61646 and EN 61730
• Concentrator PV (CPV) modules and assemblies –
design qualification and type approval
IEC 62108
EN 62108
UL 1703
UL-SU 8703
• Building integrated PV (BIPV)
* 1 Fire test
* 2 Facades or building glass
UL 1703
UL 790 * 1
UL 1897
ANSI 97, 1-1984* 2
• BIPV Mounting Systems
UL 1703
UL 790
UL 997
UL-SU 2703
• Solar collectors
UL-SU 1279
• Junction boxes
UL 1703
• I nverters (incl. micro-inverters), converters, controllers and
interconnection system equipment for use with distributed
energy resources
UL 1741
• PV DC Arc-Fault Circuit Protection
UL-SU 1699B
• Combiner boxes
UL 1741
• Photovoltaic wire
* 3 Service Entrance Cables
UL-SU 4703
UL 854* 3
• Low-Voltage Fuses for PV Systems
UL-SU 2579
• Fuse holder
UL-SU 4248-18 /
ANSI-UL 4248-1
• PV connector
* 4 AC Connectors and both AC and DC
UL-SU 6703
UL-SU 6703A* 4
• Polymeric materials
UL-SU 5703
UL 746A, 746B, 746C
• Enclosure & Dead-Front Switches for use in PV Systems
UL-SU 98B
UL 1741
• Molded-Case Circuit Breakers, Molded-Case Breakers &
Circuit Breakers Enclosures for use with PV Systems
UL-SU 89B
• Procedures for temperature and irradiance corrections to
measured I-V characteristics of crystalline silicon PV
IEC 60891 (Devices
Amendment 1: 06-1992)
EN 60891
• Characteristic parameters of stand-alone PV systems
IEC 61194
EN 61194
• UV test for PV modules
IEC 61345
EN 61345
• Rating of direct coupled PV pumping systems
IEC 61702
EN 61702
• Crystalline
silicon PV array –
on-site measurement of I-V characteristics
IEC 61829
EN 61829
• Portable
solar PV lanterns – blank detail specification.
Approval under the IEC system for conformity testing and
certification of electrical equipment (IECEE)
IEC PVRS11
• Portable solar PV lanterns – design qualification and type
approval. Amendment 1, extension to include lanterns with
nickel-metal hydride batteries
IEC PVRS11A
PV cells
PV Modules
Testing and
Certification
UL 1703
IEC / EN 61215
IEC / EN 61646
IEC 61730 / UL 790 (fire test)
UL-SU 8703 (CPV)
BIPV
UL 1703
UL 790
UL 1897
Junction box
UL 1703
IEC 61730
Connector
UL-SU 6703
Fuse
UL-SU 2579
Fuse Holder
UL-SU 4248-18 /
ANSI-UL 4248-1
atteries
B
UL 1989
UL 2054
UL-SU 2580
UL-SU 1973
PV Modules
(with junction box)
Rack Mounting &
Clamping Devices
UL-SU 2703
Solar Trackers
UL-SU 3703
Fire Test
UL 1703 / UL 790
(roof mounted modules)
Polymeric Materials
UL-SU 5703
UL 746A, 746B, 746C
Cable for PV
UL 4703
UL 854 (USE-2)
Combiner
Box
Batteries
Note: Many of these
components or functions
can be built into one
product like the inverter.
standards for safety, working closely with regulatory authorities, fire research
organizations and industry and government groups.
• Rack Mounting & Clamping Devices
UL-SU 2703
• M
ounting and wiring methods are evaluated with the PV
modules for impact resistance
UL 1703
UL-SU 2703
UL-SU 6703, 6703A
Inverter + Micro-Inverter
UL 1741
Inverter
PV module fire testing is an integral part of the US safety architecture and UL
UL-SU 3703
Charge Controller
UL 1741
Charge
Controller
Fire Safety
• Solar Trackers
Combiner Box
UL 1741
UL has over 100 years of world-wide experience in fire testing for the building,
construction and energy sectors and is actively involved in fire safety research and
knowledge transfer with industry stakeholders for building, structural,
construction materials and PV module fire testing.
Output Wiring System
NFPA70 NEC
AC Loads
Grid tied or
stand alone
Combined
Certification
Solutions
The IECEE CB Scheme is the world’s first truly international system for mutual
acceptance of test reports and certificates, dealing with the safety, performance and
quality of electrical and electronic components, equipment and products. It is based
on the use of International Stan­dards (IEC) and the mutual recognition of test
results.
The UL EU Mark is the latest addition to the global family of UL marks, designed
to assist manufacturers in gaining European market access. It is based on applicable
EN standards and issued by UL exclusively. The UL EU mark also supports global
manufacturers in reducing their go-to-market time through combined testing and
certification efforts, based on working with one team and benefitting from
associated cost savings.
The UL Mark and the UL Recognized Component Mark are the most
widely recognized and accepted evidence of a product’s compliance with U.S. and
Canadian safety requirements. For consumers, installers/integrators and code and
regulatory authorities, the UL Mark is North America’s most valued product safety
symbol based on National Electrical Code (NEC).
Any end product carrying the UL Listing Mark reflects compliance to the
corresponding UL safety requirements. UL is the only Nationally Recognized Testing
Laboratory (NRTL) authorized to issue the UL Mark.
CEC Requirements (California Energy Commission): Flat-plate non-concentrating
photovoltaic modules require testing data from independent laboratories to ensure
safety and high-quality metrics on module and inverter performance in the field.
This data is also used to calculate the expected performance of the system. Eligible
modules are listed with the California Energy Commission.
The Certification
Process
Preliminary Investigation
Testing
Certification
Follow-Up Service
Online Certifications Directory
We recommend that manufacturers start
rectify any non-compliance issues, and
Once the manufacturer is ready to begin
A joint certification is the ideal option
Following certification, UL will perform
The product also enters UL’s Online
evaluate the product and determine the
certification process, the pre-assessment
the relevant documentation, i.e.,
providing significant cost and time
manufacturing facility to ensure that the
free-of-charge source used by
with a preliminary investigation to
level of compliance to regulatory
requirements, both UL and IEC. This
approach avoids major modifications,
hence, delay in time to market.
During the preliminary investigation,
UL evaluates whether the construction,
design and materials comply with the
means that when it is time for the actual
phase will not be required again.
As part of the preliminary investigation
we can also provide:
• Gap analysis
• Material suitability
• Design review for certification
relevant standards. The result of the
applicable standards. This process will
be followed by an initial production
inspection (only applicable to factories
manufacturing UL certified PV products
who can now apply the UL label to the
manufacturer with the opportunity to
product and ship as UL Listed.
Data Acceptance Programs (DAP)
for the UL Mark and IECEE CB Scheme
While it is generally required that
supervised by UL/CBTL staff. Find
independent testing facilities, in some
programs:
out more at ul.com/dap about the
internal testing capabilities may
• Witness Data Program
arrangements. In nearly all programs,
• Total Certification Program
manufacturer’s test facilities will be
evaluations in accordance with the
Authorization (NoA) to the manufacturer,
(if applicable). This provides the
product tests conducted at a
conduct a number of tests and
compliance, UL will issue a Notice of
non-compliant materials and structures
qualify for data acceptance
UL engineers and lab technicians will
compliance. Upon confirmation of
report in a letter format, listing
cases manufacturers with adequate
product specifications, drawings, etc.,
for the first time) to confirm product
preliminary investigation is a detailed
certification testing is performed at
the certification process and submits
• Client Test Data Program
• Witnessed Manufacturing Testing
• Supervised Manufacturing Testing
for both safety and performance testing,
savings. UL is a National Certification
Body (NCB) for the applicable standards
and is authorized to recognize and issue
CB Reports in accordance with the
requirements of the IEC standards.
UL is the only Nationally Recognized
Testing Laboratory (NRTL) that is
authorized to issue the UL Mark.
follow-up services (FUS) at the
products produced are represented by
the product evaluated. This step helps
identify issues in the supply chain such as
component or material substitutions and
maintains the high value of the UL Mark.
Certifications Directory, a valuable,
stakeholders looking for specific
products certified in accordance with the
requirements of UL Standards (available
at UL.com).
Additional
Programs
enhance on-time
Market Access
An important component of UL’s mission is to assist
manufacturers to get safe products to market quickly,
efficiently and cost-effectively. By streamlining,
standardizing and bundling services, UL simplifies safety
and improves manufacturers’ profitability.
Master & Fast Track
Single Test
CEC
PV Recognized Components
designed for manufacturers of PV
with customer-specific test requirements.
energy market, the California Energy
PV modules, all of critical components
The Master Certification Program is
production equipment who produce a
complete turnkey-solution for flat-plate
or thin-film PV module manufacturers.
The PV production equipment
manufacturer first submits basic module
designs to UL for Master Certification.
Once these are approved, the production
lines can then be sold to PV module
manufacturers with “pre-certified”
designs for production.
The Fast Track Certification Program is
for PV module manufacturers who use
an end-to-end solution from a supplier
with UL Master Certification. The PV
module manufacturer requests Fast
Track Certification under the relevant
equipment manufacturer’s Master
Certification Program. UL performs a
review of the module construction and
conducts limited testing. If no changes
from the Master Certified module have
been made, only the Humidity Freeze Test
Sequence on a sample from the installed
production line is conducted.
These UL programs have offered
streamlined testing and certification
procedures that reduce costs and
turnaround time for PV manufacturers,
and help them get their products to
market faster.
In the Single Test Program, UL is provided
UL then conducts testing and issues a
report with ratings, while avoiding the
time commitment and highly specific
parameters required for certification. This
service can provide PV distributors and
plant builders with the opportunity to
test modules/components from suppliers
or support manufacturers’ Research &
Development and data verification, in
order to better steer their production
towards certification standards. Specific
parameters may also be tested which
exceed certification requirements but
which fulfill installation-specific needs.
Single tests can be from published
performance and safety standards,
whether international or country-specific,
or as developed by manufacturer’s to
better understand their products’
performance for material, component or
final product analyses.
To be eligible for the California
Commission (CEC) requires high-quality
testing from independent laboratories
that determine safety and expected
performance of flat-plate non-concen-
trating PV modules. Specifically, modules
must be certified to UL 1703 for safety
and must also be tested to a select set of
performance tests derived from IEC 61215
or 61646. In addition, building-integrated
photovoltaic (BIPV) modules intended
for roof-integrated installations must
comply with the mounting specifications
for normal operating cell temperature
(NOCT). Inverters and meters are also
subject to standards and ratings. Only
equipment that complies with the
California Energy Commission is eligible
for support from the Solar Electric
Incentive Programs.
In order to obtain UL certification for
must comply with established North
American standards. That is, in addition
to testing the module itself, all polymeric
materials, junction boxes, connectors
and connecting cables must also be
individually assessed. If the critical
components used in their products
have already been certified by UL, PV
module manufacturers can reduce the
risk of delay to market and the costs
associated with end-product certification.
With the comprehensive UL Recognized
Components program and UL’s Online
Certifications Directory, PV module
manufacturers can easily find previously
certified components and materials
meeting North American requirements.
Manufacturers can thereby significantly
reduce design and testing costs, while
increasing the level of safety in the end
product.
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