The Lighting Global Quality Standards for Solar Home System Kits include a requirement that “Any outdoor cables must be outdoor-rated and UV-resistant.” This requirement goes beyond the Quality Standards for pico-products (off-grid products with peak power ratings less than 10 -15 W) and is based on the assumption that larger solar home system kits are … Read More
Results from the Quality Test Method (QTM) and Accelerated Verification Method (AVM) testing are used to determine if a product meets the Quality Standards. Test results are valid for two years. Their expiration date is typically set for the last day of the month, two years from the original test report date. Occasionally, there are … Read More
Quality Test Method (QTM) tests are valid for a period of two years from the original test report date. To ensure continued support for another two-year period, these results must be renewed or updated, with the cost of testing borne by the manufacturer. To ensure continued support for another two-year period, these results must be renewed … Read More
Manufacturers often offer product models that are essentially variations of an existing product. In such cases, the Lighting Global Quality Assurance Program offers manufacturers the option of using full test results for at least one product, and targeted testing for the variant products. This option is provided as a service to manufacturers to help reduce … Read More
Goals and Rationale The Quality Testing Methodology (QTM) institutionalized through IEC/TS 62257-9-5 provides valuable third party information on product performance and quality to stakeholders across the value and decision chain in the off-grid lighting market. Proper sample procurement – the first step in the testing process – is critical for maintaining the fairness and credibility … Read More
This document provides guidelines for performance reporting requirements for all products that meet the Lighting Global Quality Standards. The performance reporting framework provides buyers throughout the supply chain with standardized information about key metrics to make purchasing decisions, while allowing manufacturers and suppliers the flexibility to provide this information in innovative and product-specific ways.
This report includes sales and impact data from 67 off-grid solar companies covering the period of July to December 2017. Jointly produced by Lighting Global and GOGLA, it is part of series released every six months that tracks the global market for off-grid solar energy products. For the first time, this edition also captured the amount of solar … Read More
The 2018 Global Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report is the fourth report in a biennial series established over the past 8 years as the report of record for the off-grid solar industry. The flagship Market Trends Report provides an opportunity to step back for reflection on long-term trends, challenges and opportunities—illuminating a path forward for the … Read More
Based on feedback from stakeholders, GOGLA, and governments, we have decided to move forward with submitting the Quality Standards for pico-products and the Quality Standards for SHS Kits to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). This webinar outlines the changes that will be made to each before we submit them to the IEC and the rationale … Read More
This document describes the Quality Standards for Solar Home System Kits, which set a baseline level of quality, durability, and truth in advertising to protect consumers. Kits covered by these Standards must be “plug-and-play,” have a peak power of 350 W or less, and a DC voltage of 24 V or less. [Note, products smaller than 15 W … Read More