Solar Power World

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The program offers certification of solar water heaters.

Since 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program has served as a voluntary labeling project designed to identify and promote energy-efficient products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Computers and monitors were the first labeled products and, through the years, the EPA has expanded the label to office equipment products, residential heating and cooling equipment, major appliances, lighting, home electronics, buildings, and more.

Through its partnerships with more than 17,000 private and public sector organizations, the testing and verification program delivers technical information and tools to organizations and consumers, helping them to choose energy-efficient products and services. Over the past decade, the program has been a driving force behind widespread use of fluorescent lighting, power management systems for office equipment, and low standby energy use.

Recently, the program has adopted third-party certification requirements. Manufacturers will no longer have the ability to self-declare their products, as they did in the past, and will be required to have products certified by an EPA-accepted third-party, such as TÜV Rheinland. As of Jan. 1, 2011, the program will require all newly qualified products in all product categories to have their energy performance validated prior to product labeling.

Energy Star www.energystar.gov