What Certifications Are Required for Ground-Mounted Solar Structures?

As the solar energy industry continues to expand globally, ground-mounted solar structures have become a vital component of utility-scale and large commercial solar installations. To ensure safety, durability, and compliance with national standards, these structures must meet a variety of certifications that vary from country to country. In this article, we explore the key certification requirements for ground-mounted solar structures in several major solar markets.

United States

Key Certifications and Standards

UL 2703: Safety standard for pv mounting systems, pv mounting devices, clamping devices, and ground lugs.

IBC (International Building Code): Compliance with local building codes for wind, snow, and seismic loads.

ASCE 7: Standard for determining structural loads due to wind, snow, seismic activity, and more.

PE Stamp: A structural engineering certification (Professional Engineer stamp) required for each state where the project is installed.

Special Considerations

Projects on federal land or with government incentives may require additional environmental and structural assessments.

European Union (Germany, France, Spain)

Key Certifications and Standards

Eurocode (EN 1991-1-4 for Wind, EN 1991-1-3 for Snow, etc.): European design codes for structural engineering.

CE Marking: Indicates compliance with EU safety, health, and environmental protection requirements.

ISO 9001 / ISO 14001: Quality and environmental management systems certifications, often required by EPCs and banks.

DIN Standards (Germany): German-specific design and testing standards, particularly DIN 1055 for loads on structures.

Special Considerations

Ground screws and foundations often require geotechnical approval and pull-out testing reports.

Australia

Key Certifications and Standards

AS/NZS 1170 Series: Structural design actions including wind, snow, and seismic loads.

AS/NZS 4600: Cold-formed steel structures standard.

AS/NZS 5033: Installation of photovoltaic (PV) arrays.

RPEQ Certification (Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland): Required for projects in Queensland and some other states.

Special Considerations

Wind load assessments are critical due to cyclone-prone areas in northern Australia.

India

Key Certifications and Standards

IS 875 Part 3: Code of practice for wind loads.

IS 2062: Standard for steel materials used in structures.

MNRE Guidelines: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy provides guidance on quality and technical standards.

Third-party testing: NABL-accredited lab reports for structural integrity and corrosion resistance are often required.

Special Considerations

For government tenders, BIS certification or equivalent third-party verification may be mandatory.

Japan

Key Certifications and Standards

JIS Standards (Japanese Industrial Standards): Applied to steel materials, corrosion testing, and structural strength.

Building Standards Law (BSL): Must comply with national codes, especially in seismic zones.

JET Certification: Japan Electrical Safety & Environment Technology Laboratories often review solar project components.

Structural Analysis: Required for heavy snow zones and typhoon-prone regions.

Special Considerations

Earthquake resilience is a high priority, requiring detailed structural and foundation engineering.

China

Key Certifications and Standards

GB 50009: Load code for the design of building structures.

GB/T 50797: Design specification for PV power station installations.

China Classification Society (CCS): Certification may be required for some export-oriented projects.

Steel Structure Certification: QA/QC reports and factory qualifications often needed for large EPC projects.

Special Considerations

For export to the EU or U.S., CE or UL compliance is often expected even if not mandatory locally.

Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines)

Key Certifications and Standards

Often adopt international codes:

Eurocode or ASCE 7 for structural design.

Local Building Permits: Engineering design must be approved by licensed local engineers.

Steel Material Standards: Typically follow ASTM or JIS standards.

Special Considerations

Soil conditions (e.g., clay, reclaimed land) often require pile or ground screw testing.

Corrosion protection certifications (hot-dip galvanizing per ASTM A123 or ISO 1461) are frequently requested due to tropical climates.

Conclusion

Solar ground mount structures are subject to a wide array of certifications depending on the country of installation. Whether it's UL and ASCE in the U.S., Eurocode in the EU, or IS codes in India, these standards ensure that solar installations are safe, durable, and compliant with local regulations. For international developers, understanding and complying with these certifications is essential for project approval, financing, and long-term performance.