Certification for Photovoltaic Power Systems: Premature, Timely or Too Late?

Photovoltaic power systems of all types are being installed in the United States. Grid-connected installations have seen a tremendous jump in their numbers and sizes of installations but there is no complete photovoltaic product (component or system) or installer certification program in effect today in the United States. Standards for utility interconnect, listing for safety, and qualification of hardware are written and listing and qualification programs are available, but practitioner and hardware certifications are not yet in place. This paper addresses the timeliness, framework, and progress of hardware and practitioner certification efforts currently under way in the United States.