New Publication Includes Solar Energy Provisions and Commentary in One Resource

ICC, NFPA Create new Publication to Support the Use of Solar Energy

The International Code Council (ICC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and ICC’s Solar Rating & Certification Corporation (ICC-SRCC) have collaborated to publish the 2015 International Solar Energy Provisions and Commentary. The new publication is the first of its kind to include solar energy code-related provisions, commentary and selected standards in a single, comprehensive resource to address the needs of the solar energy industry.

“The 2015 International Solar Energy Provisions and Commentary provides a practical code adoption tool and serves as a concise guide to support the industry and code officials in determining how to satisfy regulatory requirements safely and effectively,” said Dominic Sims, CBO, Chief Executive Officer of the ICC. “Speed is important to manufacturers and installers and this document helps code officials fulfill their responsibilities efficiently and assure code compliance for photovoltaic panels, solar water heating products and solar collectors. It also empowers communities to meet their goals for alternative energy.”

“NFPA’s National Electrical Code is adopted in all 50 states and has become the benchmark for electrical design, installation, inspection—and overall safety,” said Jim Pauley, NFPA’s president and CEO. “Emergency responders face new and emerging challenges today as alternative energy use increases. Our collaboration with the ICC and ICC-SRCC on an all-encompassing code publication goes a long way in ensuring that solar energy is properly installed, maintained and handled during emergency situations.”

The first resource of its kind, the 2015 International Solar Energy Provisions and Commentary is the most comprehensive means for the design, installation and administration of both solar thermal (or solar heating and cooling) and photovoltaic systems. The book contains the complete solar energy-related provisions from the 2015 International Codes with corresponding commentary, plus NFPA 70: 2014 NEC National Electrical Code provisions related to solar energy and three important referenced standards from ICC-SRCC:

• ICC-SRCC Standard 100 (Minimum Standards for Solar Thermal Collectors)
• ICC-SRCC Standard 300 (Minimum Standards for Solar Water Heating Systems)
• ICC-SRCC Standard 600 (Minimum Standards for Solar Thermal Concentrating Collectors)

The 2015 International Solar Energy Provisions and Commentary is available for purchase in hardcopy or PDF Download from ICC or NFPA.

About us:

The International Code Council is a member-focused association. It is dedicated to developing model codes and standards used in the design, build and compliance process to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Most U.S. communities and many global markets choose the International Codes. Codes and standards published by ICC are accessible at no cost by visiting http://codes.iccsafe.org.

The Solar Rating & Certification Corporation was incorporated in 1980 and is the only national certification program established solely for solar heating and cooling products, and also is the only national certification organization whose programs are the direct result of the combined efforts of state organizations and industry associations involved in the administration of standards. ICC-SRCC became a member of the International Code Council Family of Companies in November 2014.

Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who
share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.