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- What is the Universal PV Interface Alliance™?
- What standard is the UPVI Alliance developing?
- Where is UPVI focused?
- How can I obtain a copy of the UPVI standard?
- I have questions about the UPVI Alliance, where can I learn more?
- Who is part of the UPVI Alliance?
- When can the market expect to see UPVI-compatible products?
- Who is the third-party conducting the evaluation of products?
- How can I recognize a UPVI-certified product?
- Who should join the UPVI Alliance?
- How can I get involved?
- How can I stay in touch with UPVI news and information?
- What is the relationship between UPVI and PV-Dock
- Communications standards... how do they fit in to UPVI and/or SunSpec?
- What benefits do I get for joining?
- What is the Universal PV Interface Alliance™?
The Universal PV Interface (UPVI) Alliance is an open, membership-based, not-for-profit industry association formed in 2011 to develop, certify and promote a standard interface between PV modules and various forms of module-level electronic devices, including power optimizers, microinverters, and junction boxes.
- What standard is the UPVI Alliance developing?
The standard developed by the UPVI Alliance will specify the electrical and mechanical interface between a PV module and various types of module-level electronics devices. Additionally, the UPVI Alliance is working closely with the SunSpec Alliance to develop and promote communications standards for PV module-level electronics devices.
Please visit our Standards section for more information.
- Where is UPVI focused?
The UPVI Alliance is focused on promoting the adoption of the UPVI standard by manufacturers of PV modules and solar electronics worldwide.
- How can I obtain a copy of the UPVI standard?
Members of the UPVI Alliance will have full access to the standard when published. If you are interested in becoming a member, please visit our Join section for more information.
- I have questions about the UPVI Alliance, where can I learn more?
For additional information on the UPVI Alliance, please contact help@upvi.org.
- Who is part of the UPVI Alliance?
Alliance membership is open to all organizations with an interest in the design, development, certification, and promotion of standards in the PV industry. Please visit Our Members page for a complete listing.
- When can the market expect to see UPVI-compatible products?
The UPVI Alliance is in the early phase of establishing the technical working groups that will develop the UPVI standard and the procedures for certifying compliant products. The preliminary target for the commercial availability of products compatible with the UPVI standard is in 2013.
- Who is the third-party conducting the evaluation of products?
The UPVI Alliance intends to work with an established testing agency to evaluate each product's compliance with the UPVI standard.
- How can I recognize a UPVI-certified product?
Products certified as compliant with the UPVI standard will state this compliance either in writing or by using the UPVI Alliance logo on printed or electronic product packaging, literature, advertisements, etc.
- Who should join the UPVI Alliance?
The UPVI Alliance is representative of the many organizations that play a role in the growth of the PV market, including:
- PV module manufacturers
- PV electronics manufacturers -- including power optimizers, microinverters, and J-boxes
- Development and certification consultants
- Utilities
- Systems integrators and installers
- Government agencies
- Related academic and industry groups
The UPVI Alliance is open to all, with tiered rights and privileges. Representation is given at the organization level with one vote per organization, depending upon membership type.
- How can I get involved?
UPVI members are eligible to participate in the formation of the UPVI standard. The UPVI Alliance is now forming the technical committees and working groups tasked with developing these standards, with work beginning in fall 2011. Join now.
- How can I stay in touch with UPVI news and information?
You can become part of the UPVI community by registering on our Interest list. You will receive free periodic updates covering UPVI Alliance news and invitations to UPVI Alliance events.
- What is the relationship between UPVI and PV-Dock?
The PV Dock Special Interest Group was a pre-cursor to the UPVI Alliance. The PV Dock SIG was the name of the group of four companies that were investigating whether to form a collaboration to standardize the PV Interface. Once the group committed to form a collaboration they decided to officially name the organization the Universal PV Interface Alliance. When the organization changed names, there were no changes to the scope or objectives.
- Communications standards... how do they fit in to UPVI and/or SunSpec?
The UPVI Alliance intends to working closely with the SunSpec Alliance to develop and promote communications standards for PV module-level electronics devices. The communications standards will be done within the SunSpec Alliance, but through a liaison agreement the UPVI Alliance will provide requirements for and feedback on this standard.
- What benefits do I get for joining?
The Membership Benefits table summarizes the membership benefits by tier.
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