Collector testing and certification organizations

Several organizations provide certification of solar collector and solar collector system performance in the United States, the most recognized of which are:

• Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC). This is the principle rating organization for solar domestic hot water collectors. The SRCC offers OG-100 certification for solar collectors and OG-300 for entire systems. OG-300 certification is for smaller residential systems. 
• Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC). Mandated by the state of Florida to perform testing of solar energy products, the FSEC is a good source for performance characteristics on both solar thermal collectors and entire solar thermal systems. Although specifically geared towards the solar industry in Florida, the FSEC is a good resource for the Southeast region as a whole. FSEC Standard 101-09, which was revised May 2009, is the institute’s solar collector certification. It supersedes FSEC Standard 102-05. 
• North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). The NABCEP provides certification programs for solar electric and thermal system installers. A NABCEP-certified installer provides for an extra level of assurance as to the qualifications of the installer. However, because the solar thermal certification is a relatively recent development, NABCEPcertified installers are not especially common.