Following Kenya’s decision to require IEC certification for solar panels to have access to its “off-grid” market, the USA is now looking at PV product certification in a much more serious fashion. Seminars are being held this week in Washington,DC at the Solar Power Conference to discuss the state of affairs in certification in the USA and how the industry will affect change at the federal, state and local levels. This seminar relates to issues which have been pressed by several legitimate solar panel manufacturers, including ICP Solar. I could not attend due to personal obligations, yet we do have access to what is being discussed and determined today.
While setting aside the subject of the relevancy of watts for battery applications, it all comes back to the simple truth of stabilized/minimum ratings vs. “initial” power. As my readers know by now, ICP is the first company worldwide to incorporate both maximum and minimum power at Standard Test Conditions in its new labelling for retail programs for thin-film products. It is indeed a major change for our company, yet its in keeping with our corporate values and quality-standard requirements. We are using an “evolving” rating system rather than completety dropping initial power simply because the market has not yet fully recognized that truth in advertising for solar ratings is imperative for the market to gain the confidence of its consumers (West Marine was the first retailer and they deserve kudos!). The solar associations are going to make this all moot when they get authorities to enact laws governing such claims. All “initial” power ratings will be forcibly dropped. This is not as far in the future as some people think (or would like) so I have prepared my company for this eventuality by starting the move towards stable ratings.
What US market studies are revealing is that the predominant issue is in the “off-grid” segment where retailers are most active and that is where the greatest lobbying efforts shall be expended. IEC is not currently required by retailers, although other users for off-grid applications of industrial nature which do not connect to the grid are demanding IEC certification for products. With the issue being mostly in the “under 50Watt” sector, it has not to date received much “air play”. However, when a company from China is identified as falsely rating its panels in Kenya, then proceeds to dump hundreds of thousands of panels into the US and Canadian market, American industry’s ears pop up. Isn’t it ironic that what is now banned in Kenya is allowed in the USA and Canada?
I guess in the end, confidence comes from knowledge and comfort, but it is something that you have to build. The flipside is that once is it lost, it’s hard to get back. A great salesperson can fake it only so long for their company. As with all things, accountability starts at the top.
Sass
PS. If you are interested to know more, contact your local solar association or take a look at this document which reflects the agenda of today at the conference’s seminar on this topic. solar energy