TÜV Rheinland to Launch New Inverter Functionality Testing Program At Intersolar North America

Enables the grid-connect functions for the emerging architecture of string and micro-grid deployments

PLEASANTON, Calif., June 26, 2013 – At Intersolar North America, TÜV Rheinland, a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), will introduce a smart inverter testing program that enables the grid-connect functions for the emerging architecture of string and micro-grid deployments. The program was discussed publically with the California Energy Commission and will evaluate smart inverters for critical functionality in five key areas: Connect/Disconnect; Real Power Curtailment; Low/High Voltage Ride-Through; Low/High Frequency Ride-Through; and Volt-VAR Control. These functions are identified in the IEEE 1547a specification and will soon be mandated in the California grid under Rule 21 regulation.


For further details on how the inverter test suite will benefit the solar industry and to participate in this testing program, inverter manufacturers are invited to stop by TÜV Rheinland's booth #7539 during Intersolar, being held at San Francisco's Moscone Center from Monday, July 8 – Thursday, July 11.

"TÜV Rheinland is pleased to be the global leader in advanced inverter testing," said Matthias R. Heinze, TÜV Rheinland Group, Vice President, Global Business Field Solar/Fuel Cells. "As an example, TÜV Rheinland has contributed to the development of the SunSpec Inverter Control specification. This specification enables products from any inverter manufacturer to present a standard command and control interface from the plant to the utility. The SunSpec standard enables solar generating plants to accelerate deployment, interchange equipment from different manufacturers seamlessly for ease of maintenance, and increase return on investment."

"Adoption of smart inverter functions, including the incorporation of the SunSpec Inverter Control standard, is an important benefit in the development of the solar industry," said Tom Tansy, Chairman of the SunSpec Alliance. "Solar PV power plants have the potential to provide marketable energy attributes beside real power. The functionality unleashed by this program increases the value of solar PV and makes it possible to deploy large numbers of solar power plants, even in grids with high amounts of renewable energy plant capacity."

"As self-certification is not the best business practice for the critical infrastructure asset, our efforts to certify communication aspects, followed by functionality, interoperability and cyber-security, are a critical part of the successful deployments," said Sarbjit Shelopal, Field Manager, TÜV Rheinland.

TÜV Rheinland's inverter and smart grid laboratory is located at 1279 Quarry Lane in Pleasanton, Calif. For more information about TÜV Rheinland, visit www.tuv.com/us.

About the SunSpec Alliance
The SunSpec Alliance is a federation of solar PV industry participants, together pursuing information standards for the renewable energy industry. SunSpec standards address most major sub-systems and operational aspects of PV power plants on the smart grid—including residential, commercial, and utility-scale systems—thus reducing cost, promoting technology innovation, and accelerating industry growth. Over 60 organizations are members of the SunSpec Alliance, including global leaders from Asia, Europe, and North America. Membership is open to corporations, non-profits, and individuals. For more information about the SunSpec Alliance, or to download SunSpec specifications at no charge, please visit www.sunspec.org.

About TÜV Rheinland
Founded in 1872, TÜV Rheinland is a global leader in independent testing, inspection, and certification services, ensuring quality and safety for people, the environment and technology in nearly all aspects of life. The company maintains a presence in 500 locations spanning 65 countries, employs 17,000 people and has an annual revenue of $2 billion (€1.5 billion). TÜV Rheinland inspects technical equipment, products and services, oversees projects and helps to shape processes for a wide variety of companies through its worldwide network of approved labs, testing facilities and education centers. Since 2006, the company has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. For more information, visit www.tuv.com/us.

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