# SunEdison Solar Energy Inverter and Grid Interconnection - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2007/03/sunedison-solar-energy-inverter-and-grid-interconnection/ - Published: 2007-03-06T19:43:00-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## SunEdison, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) Plus Leading Inverter Manufacturers Supporting Utility Standard ANSI C12 SunEdison, North America’s first and largest solar energy services provider, announced that SunEdison, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), and inverter industry leaders SatCon Technology (Nasdaq CM:SATC) and Xantrex Technology (TSX:XTX) will support the adoption of utility industry standard ANSI C12. Adoption of the ANSI C12 at the inverter level by January 2009 will standardize detailed system level output reporting for solar photovoltaic power plants. Additionally, it will standardize reporting for hybrid grid systems (photovoltaic deployed at traditional utilities). Currently, utilities and solar energy service providers measure AC power output at the meter to the ANSI C12 standard, but not to the inverter level. At the inverter level, each solar system deployment requires specific knowledge of that particular system’s information technology and software. Adoption of ANSI C12 at the inverter level will create a consistent taxonomy across the industry. This taxonomy will simplify management of individual and scaled solar system deployments. In addition, ANSI C12 standard at the inverter level will enable more consistent reporting for ease of integration onto the electrical power grid. This will occur in the same manner as other utility grade equipment. As a result, this will provide greater operational scalability for solar energy services providers, utilities and customers managing their own power plants. ![A modern utility device on a rooftop with solar panels displaying screen information labeled'ANS2' and 'CA12', illuminated by sunlight.](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy. com/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/image-3-400x300.png?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1 "image- The Green Living Guy") An inverter compliant with ANSI C12 stationed near solar panels symbolizes the push for standardized reporting in solar energy systems “As the first utility to broadly adopt and deliver solar energy at a system-wide level, SMUD understands the complexity of large scale implementation,” said Jon Bertolino, SMUD Superintendent of Renewable Generation. “To simplify the process of installing, operating, and maintaining solar energy systems, we recommend that other utilities also support the adoption of the ANSI C12 standard. Use of standards is an important step in meeting the industry’s goals to integrate renewable energy into our portfolio of resources.” “We applaud SunEdison’s step toward promoting common communications platforms for the solar industry. By establishing a shared framework, the entire solar industry will benefit,” said Chris Thompson, VP Engineering and Product Development of Xantrex, a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced power electronic products for the renewable energy market. ### Broad Adoption of ANSI C12 in Inverter Manufacturing Phase by January 2009 Will Simplify Solar Energy System Output Reporting for Interconnection to the Grid “SatCon is pleased to support SunEdison and the industry in this important initiative to standardize the interconnection protocols between the electric power grid and the inverter,” stated Clemens van Zeyl, President of Stationary Power Systems Division of SatCon Technology, a developer of power management and system architecture solutions for the alternative energy and distributed power markets. Van Zeyl further noted,“ Inverters have the potential to modernize our electrical grid by increasing its capacity and improving its reliability, and adoption of interconnection standards is a first step in achieving this goal. We thank SunEdison for its continued industry leadership and look forward to continuing our partnership with SunEdison as a technology leader in alternative energy power systems.” “Solar is complex. It is important that others follow the lead of SunEdison, SMUD, SatCon, and Xantrex in the call for industry standards. ANSI C12 standard at the inverter level will help simplify solar for utilities, government and commercial organizations. When we all use the same terms, the industry and customers benefit,” said Mark Culpepper, Vice President of SunEdison. SunEdison currently has more solar energy under direct service delivery and management than any other solar energy service provider in North America. SunEdison will begin deployment of ANSI C12 standard compliant inverters immediately upon general availability. ## Sources: * In 2007, SunEdison, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), and leading inverter makers such as SatCon Technology and Xantrex Technology publicly backed the adoption of the utility-industry measurement and communication standard ANSI C12 at the inverter level. This adoption aims to standardize how solar photovoltaic output is reported for grid integration. ([eepower.com](https://eepower.com/news/sunedison-smud-and-leading-inverter-manufacturers-announce-support-for-utility-standard-ansi-c12/)) * Industry coverage from Solar Industry Magazine confirms that key U.S. utilities and solar providers agreed on supporting the ANSI C12 specification. As a result, this creates consistent reporting protocols across distributed renewable energy systems. (solarindustrymag.com)  Source: SunEdison ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/df91669667126e1290c21ee0342c386e2da19d588d4d9ca6560bd82ed59a9641? s=300&d=monsterid&r=g) greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)