ICC, NFPA create resource to support solar energy

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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.

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