IAPMO R&T Gets Approval from Arizona to Certify to the OG300 Standard
Source: www.solarthermalbiz.com
In Arizona at least, the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) is no longer the only game in town.
IAPMO R&T has just received approval through the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to certify solar systems to the SRCC's OG300 standard. IAPMO has been developing standards for plumbing and mechanicals systems around the world for more than 80 years.
With SRCC as the only nationally accredited rating and certification organization for manufacturers' solar equipment since 1980, some in the solar thermal industry have been pushing for multiple certification agencies in order to bring innovation to the market more quickly and with IAMPO R&T's approval in Arizona, they believe there the future growth of the U.S. solar heating and cooling market is more assured.
Already Free Hot Water, a manufacturer and distributor of solar thermal products has taken advantage of the opportunity with sales in AZ after the company received the IAMPO R&T certification in July.
EchoFirst (formerly PVT Solar), a designer and manufacturer of the Echo PV/Thermal hybrid system, was at the forefront battling as an individual company in Arizona for IAMPO R&T to get approval from ACC to certify to the OG300 standard. OG300 certified solar water heating systems are eligible to federal and state incentives.
After the unanimous ruling by ACC, Arizona Public Service (APS), Salt River Project (SRP) and TransCanada Corporation (TRP), the three biggest utilities in AZ, accepted the accreditation.
With the $350 million CSI rebate program now in effect, EchoFirst is also engaged with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on this issue. According to Echofirst's CMO Gordon Handelsman, if the CA market is won, swinging other states to endorse new certification agencies to compete with SRCC would be much easier. |
