Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

About UL | Careers | Contact Us

Renewable Energy

UL is the leading product certification company in the Renewable and Alternative Energy testing industry as well as the preferred choice of U.S. regulatory officials. UL offers manufacturers in the fuel cell, portable/stationary generator, photovoltaic and wind & solar power generation businesses an unmatched combination of technical and regulatory expertise that will help them through the certification process in the most effective way possible.

Photovoltaics

Photovoltaic (PV) technologies have begun with the use of treated crystalline silicon, operating as a semiconductor, to generate a flow of direct current electricity when exposed to light. Although crystalline silicon is still the majority of the industry, newer thin film, polymer and semi-conducting molecule PV technologies are evolving and allowing PV use in products such as flexible roofing applications.

Fuel Cells

Fuel cell technology has been developing for several decades, and the first practical commercial products are now becoming obtainable. A typical Fuel Cell is an electrochemical device that converts pure hydrogen (or a hydrogen rich gas derived from hydrocarbons such as natural gas, gasoline or methanol) into electrical energy and heat.

Inverters/Converters

The inverter or converter is the electronic device required for almost all Distributed Generation (DG) sources. It provides AC power at a useable voltage and frequency for connection to the utilities' electric power grid or to provide power for off-grid loads. In general, it converts the output of Photovoltaic Panels, Fuel Cells, Wind Turbines, Microturbines and other rotating machines to an appropriate AC voltage and frequency for direct domestic and industrial use. A converter is a device that accepts AC or DC power and converts it to another form of AC or DC power for direct use by a load or accumulation in an energy storage system.

Engine Generators

Engine Generator products are electricity-producing assemblies typically located at or near the point of use. They are typically installed so that back-up power is available to the user in the event of a utility grid failure. These systems are considered to employ the most reliable power producing technologies ever used in stand-alone and distributed systems.

Hydrogen Products

Most Fuel Cell power sources require pure hydrogen or hydrogen rich gases to operate efficiently. Due to this hydrogen need, new industries have emerged to provide hydrogen generation, storage and dispensing products. Applications resulting from this industry include the refueling of vehicles with on-site hydrogen generators and storage tanks as well as replacement fuel containers for smaller scale consumer products, for example electronic products such as cell phones and portable computers. Specific hydrogen-related products within the industry include the individual containers, hoses, safety devices associated with storage and dispensing equipment; solar or photosynthesis devices to generate hydrogen directly; and conversion devices that obtain hydrogen from natural gas, gasoline, methanol and other hydrocarbons.