The International Code Council (ICC) is pleased to welcome the Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC) into the ICC Family of Companies. SWCC is joining the part of the ICC group that includes the Solar Rating Certification Corporation (ICC-SRCC). The consolidation follows an appropriate period of due diligence to ensure the strategic fit of the two organizations.
The merger signals the expansion of the ICC-SRCC into new areas of renewable energy technology. “We’re not just focused on solar energy anymore,” said Eileen Prado, Executive Director of ICC-SRCC. “ICC-SRCC cares about clean technologies, and our programs help quality products to get the recognition they deserve for their energy saving performance.”
The SWCC was established in 2009 to ensure that small and medium wind turbines conform to industry standards. Its work complements that of the Code Council in providing research, publications and product certifications to the energy industry.
SWCC issues easy-to-understand labels with Rated Annual Energy Output, Rated Power and Rated Sound Level to turbines that have been certified through its rigorous program. SWCC labels confirm that certified turbines meet the durability and safety requirements set by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). SWCC also publishes technical information such as power and annual energy performance curves and measured sound pressure levels for each model that it certifies.
“The SWCC began with the cooperation of government, industry, laboratory experts and stakeholders calling for the development of a certification body to help stabilize the U.S. market,” said Trudy Forsyth, Board Chair of the SWCC. “As the SWCC transitions from a public to a private-entity through this acquisition, it will continue to play a vital role in stabilizing distributed and global distributed wind turbine markets.”
Investment in renewable energy has been increasing dramatically throughout North America, and is having a positive impact on both the environment and the economy. For example, according to the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), the number of solar installations in the United States has surpassed 1 million, which collectively are responsible for offsetting 34 million metric tons of CO2 annually. In 2015, the solar energy industry represented 209,000 jobs and $16.8 billion in investment. And according to the Distributed Wind Energy Association (DWEA), distributed wind has the potential to create 150,000 jobs and contribute 30 GW of energy supply, spread across all 50 states, by 2030. In 2014 over 90% of the small and medium wind energy systems installed in America were built in America, so distributed wind could be the best option for thousands of consumers to produce their own clean energy using equipment “made in America.”
###
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.
The Solar Rating Certification Corporation is a member of the ICC Family of Companies. The primary purpose of ICC-SRCC is to provide authoritative performance ratings, certifications and standards for renewable energy products with the intention of protecting and providing guidance to consumers, incentive providers, government and the industry.
The Small Wind Certification Council is an accredited certification body that certifies wind turbines that meet or exceed the requirements of specified standards. Designed to promote consumer confidence and mainstream acceptance of small and medium wind technology, SWCC certification standardizes North American reporting of turbine performance.