Enhancing Solar Energy Kit Standards Implementation Through Conformity Assessment Training in KenyaEnhancing Solar Energy Kit Standards Implementation Through Conformity Assessment Training in KenyaQuality assurance remains a top priority as the global off-grid solar market continues to evolve and deliver energy services to more households and businesses. The Kenyan government has adopted KS IEC 62257-9-8 as a mandatory standard for pico-PV and SHS kits to protect consumers from low-quality products. The soon-to-be gazetted solar PV regulations will implement the quality standards through Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) programs.On July 20 and 21, 2022, VeraSol held an off-grid quality assurance training session for representatives from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) quality assurance team and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). The training aimed to prepare the KEBS and EPRA teams, who will have a crucial role in enforcing KS IEC TS 62257-9-8 through the regulations, to understand the requirements of the standards to enable them during the product registration phase of compliance.Topics covered during the session included:History of Quality Assurance for Off-grid Solar ProductsIntroduction to the Quality Standards for Pico-PV and Solar Home System Kits (KS IEC TS 62257-9-8:2020)Structure of the Test Methods for Pico-PV and Solar Home System kits – IEC 62257-9-5Valid evidence for assessing conformity with KS IEC 62257-9-8 – Indicators of the validity of a lab test reportThe training was well received, with the participants identifying more avenues for collaboration between KEBS and EPRA on PVoC and between EPRA and UON-LL for market tests once the regulation comes into place.Learn more about VeraSol’s technical assistance services and how we leverage international harmonisation of the off-grid solar quality standards to boost the effectiveness of national conformity assessment programs.More Articles Revised Test Methods and Standards for Solar Energy Kits Submission to IECVeraSol is currently in the process of submitting revised versions of the test methods and standards for off-grid solar energy kits for review by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Learn More Harmonising Quality Assurance for Solar Energy Kits in the ECOWAS RegionIn early 2022, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) adopted IEC test methods and quality standards for solar energy kits. To support standard implementation efforts in the region, the VeraSol team delivered a series of regional capacity-building workshops in Nigeria, Togo, Niger, and Ghana in April and May 2023. Learn More Papua New Guinea Adopts IEC Quality Standards for Solar Energy KitsIn April 2023, Papua New Guinea adopted the IEC quality standard and test methods for solar energy kits up to 350 watts. VeraSol worked closely with the National Institute of Standards and Industrial Technology (NISIT) and other key stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of the national quality standards for solar energy kits. Learn More