ABOUT US - GENERAL
The modern solar industry was founded in 1974, following the original oil embargo of the previous year. In the years that followed, energy in all its forms became a national priority.
While commercial and residential solar systems were available on a limited regional basis, a mechanism had to be put in place that would encourage consumers to purchase these relatively unknown products and new technology with confidence, showing that the technology was valid and that the products would perform in terms of energy and dollar savings.
States with potentially large solar markets, such as California and Florida, were the first to establish such a mechanism by establishing state testing and rating programs for solar collectors. However, since there was little consistency between each state's testing requirements and approach to rating solar equipment, such programs soon became an impediment to manufacturers who marketed in more than one state.
It became evident that there was a need for a single, national program that would allow manufacturers to rate and test the efficiency of their equipment. This would also benefit consumers by providing a uniform, national approach for rating and comparing solar equipment. In an unprecedented move, the trade association for the solar energy industry and a national consortium of state energy offices and regulatory bodies collaborated to lay the groundwork for such a program, which would soon lead to the founding of the Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (SRCC).
In 1980 the SRCC was incorporated as a non-profit organization whose primary purpose was the development and implementation of national rating standards and certification programs for solar energy equipment.
The corporation is an independent third-party certification entity. It is unique in that it is the only national certification program established solely for solar thermal products. It is also the only national certification organization whose programs are the direct result of the combined efforts of state organizations and an industry association involved in the administration of standards.