ICC-SWCC certifies small wind turbines to the ACP 101-1 standard and ICC-SWCC program policies. Small Wind Turbines (SWTs) are defined by ICC-SWCC as electricity-producing wind turbines with a peak power < 150 kW.* There is significant variability in the test and analysis methods available in the standard due to different turbine sizes and configurations. Plus, the testing can be costly and time-consuming. Therefore, ICC-SWCC has a several-step application process to ensure that the certification requirements for each turbine are clearly agreed upon before testing starts.
1) Preliminary Reviews
The first step in the ICC-SWCC application process is the conduct of an initial check called a Preliminary Review. This is initiated by the manufacturer who submits a Preliminary Review Application Form along with supporting documentation. During this review, ICC-SWCC’s Certification Commission conducts high-level checks of the turbine to ensure it is eligible for ICC-SWCC certification, and determines the applicable tests and analyses for certification. The applicant also submits their planned testing location and third-party testing partner or lab. If approved, the manufacturer is invited to formally apply for ICC-SWCC Small Wind Turbine Certification. If disapproved, the applicant is provided with a reason why the turbine cannot be certified under existing ICC-SWCC programs. ICC-SWCC assesses a fee for Preliminary Reviews that is separate from the certification fees later in the process.
NOTE: Note that ICC-SWCC does not provide testing services for wind turbines. Applicants must select a third-party testing provider and test site during the Preliminary Review phase and submit them for evaluation. Fees for testing services are established by the testing provider and payable by the applicant. They are not included in the fees assessed by ICC-SWCC for Preliminary Reviews or certifications.
2) Formal Application
Upon successful completion of the Preliminary Review, the manufacturer is invited to submit a formal application for certification using ICC-SWCC’s Application for Certification Form. This initiates the actual certification process and signals the applicant’s intention to proceed with certification as outlined during the Preliminary Review process. The manufacturer completes this step by submitting a Certification Application Form. Note that a Certification Application Form will not be accepted if a Preliminary Review has not first been completed for the turbine.
3) Certification Agreement
With the Preliminary Review and the Certification Application in hand, ICC-SWCC then drafts a document called a Certification Application Agreement. It outlines the test turbine, testing conditions, testing and analysis requirements, planned testing location and third-party testing organization, and certification fees. It also spells out the requirements to maintain the certification (if successfully awarded), including annual renewals, annual fees, factory inspections and field inspections, referencing the program policies set out in the Rules for Wind Turbine Listing Reports. The agreement is finalized upon signature by the applicant and ICC-SWCC.
4) Testing and Analysis
Applicants who have not already conducted testing, then begin the process of testing to the selected standard working with their chosen third-party testing organization and test site. If the testing is not conducted by an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited test lab, it is subject to a test site inspection conducted by ICC-SWCC. The test site inspection involves an in-person inspection of the testing fixtures, sensors and procedures once the turbine is installed at the test site and ready for testing. The applicant is responsible for fees and costs associated with the test site evaluation, as outlined in the Certification Application Agreement. All testing must be done according to ACP 101-1 and ICC-SWCC Policies. Testing costs are the responsibility of the applicant and are paid directly to the testing laboratory.
NOTE: Where a site inspection will be required, ICC-SWCC strongly advises that test site evaluations be completed very early in the testing process in order to avoid delays, repeated tests and added costs.
The ACP 101-1 Standard requires the mechanical strength of the turbine system to be assessed using methods such as simplified or aeroelastic loads modeling, analytical methods and/or FEA as detailed in IEC 61400-2 for most (but not all turbine sizes). These strength analyses are typically performed by a third-party engineering firm as agreed in the Certification Agreement. Structural analyses may be conducted before, during or after the testing. But all analyses that are required and listed in the Certification Agreement must be submitted to ICC-SWCC before the evaluation phase can be completed.
5) Evaluation and Certification Decision
Upon completion of all testing and analyses, the applicant sends all submittals and fees required in the Certification Agreement to ICC-SWCC for completion of the evaluation process. ICC-SWCC staff reviews the material submitted to confirm compliance with the applicable standards and ICC-SWCC policies. ICC-SWCC Certification Commission reviews the staff evaluation and recommends a certification decision.
If a turbine is approved for certification, ICC-SWCC drafts a Summary Report and Certificate. The documents report standardized performance information including: Rated Annual Energy, Power Production, and Sound Level. The report also notes the IEC SWT Class satisfied for durability and safety tests. These documents are then posted publicly on the ICC-SWCC directory. The new certification is valid for a period of one year from the date of approval. If a turbine is not approved for certification, the applicant is notified, provided with a clear explanation of the reason, and any options for remedying deficiencies.
Maintenance, Renewal & Inspections
New certifications are valid for one year after which they must be renewed. 90 days prior to the expiration, certification holders are sent a renewal application form to allow renewal to be completed without any gaps in coverage. The certification holder completes and returns the renewal application forms along with annual renewal fees. The renewal is reviewed by ICC-SWCC staff and the Certification Commission. If approved, the certification is renewed for another year and the ICC-SWCC directory is updated. This process is repeated annually.
ACP 101-1 also requires that newly certified turbines be monitored in the field for three years after the certification is awarded (see ACP 101-1, Annex B). ICC-SWCC requires that manufacturers submit annual reports on the status of five individual turbines installed in the field at the time of renewal to satisfy this standard requirement.
Lastly, ICC-SWCC conducts inspections of the Quality Management System at the production facility for each turbine every two years to satisfy the requirement in ACP 101-1, Annex B. The first inspection must be completed within 6 months of the award of the certification, and every two years thereafter.
*Note that SWCC previously certified small wind turbines to the AWEA 9.1-2009 standard. That standard covered small wind turbines with a swept area up to 200 m2. Small wind turbine certifications awarded prior to 2022 were conducted to the AWEA 9.1 standard. These legacy certifications may be maintained to the AWEA 9.1 standard, and are not being required to update to ACP 101-1 at this time.