What is the purpose of SRCC certification?

The Solar Rating and Certification corporation currently administers a certification, rating, and labeling program for solar collectors and a similar program for complete solar water heating systems.

SRCC’s certification program operating guidelines, test methods and minimum standards, and rating methodologies require the performance of nationally accepted equipment tests on solar equipment by independent laboratories which are accredited by SRCC. The test results and product data are evaluated by SRCC to determine the product’s compliance with the minimum standards for certification and to calculate the performance ratings.

In addition, each certified product is published by SRCC in a directory. Each product’s directory listing contains information on the product’s material and specifications as well as the certified thermal performance rating.

What benefits can we get from SRCC?

Solar equipment manufacturers benefit from SRCC certification and rating in three fundamental ways: the ability to have a product certified only once; national recognition and/or reciprocity of the certification; and a reliable means for judging product durability and performance on a relative standard basis.

The solar contractor benefits from the SRCC certification in three fundamental ways also: certification provides product credibility; provides one with a standard of comparison to be used in sales literature; and provides a defense against unethical competition and false claims.

The solar consumer also benefits from the SRCC programs. These benefits include obtaining a measurement of quality, a measurement of performance, third-party independent corroboration, and a national standardized method to compare solar equipment and thereby determine the best buy.