Overview of BIS Registration for Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems

BIS Registration for Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems is crucial for the safe usage of the same. Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic (PV) Power Systems are electronic devices that manage and convert the electricity generated by solar panels into usable power. The power converters, also known as the solar inverter. They are the core unit in photovoltaic (PV) systems. They convert variable direct current (DC) from the photovoltaic solar panels to alternating current (AC), which drives domestic or commercial loads. IS 16221 (Part 2): 2015 standard lays down requirements for the power converter to be utilised in parallel with the grid, which would be efficient, safe, and reliable. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established Power Converters to be utilised in Photovoltaic Power Systems compulsorily under BIS Registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS).

Requisites of BIS Registration for Power Converters 

There are four requirements that the producers must meet prior to application for the BIS Registration for Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems. These are the pillars of BIS Registration of Power Converters for Photovoltaic Power Systems:

• Manufacturer – The BIS Licence is granted to the manufacturer alone, not to the traders. Foreign manufacturers can be represented by importers in the form of Authorised Indian Representatives (AIR).
• Manufacturing Address – Mention specifically the factory address. Different plants producing the same product need different licences.
• Product – Licence for each product range, but the same models of the same range can be registered under one registration.
• Brand/Trademark – Each brand or trademark has to register its BIS separately.

Procedure for Obtaining BIS Registration for Power Converters 

The BIS Registration for Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems procedure varies for a foreign company and a domestic company. Both procedures involve sample testing, documentation, and BIS conformity testing.

A) Foreign Manufacturer Procedure

Foreign companies must perform the following:

• Appointment of an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR).
• Submit an online application through the BIS website.
• Make available product samples to a BIS-certified test laboratory.
• Submit final application and test report.
• BIS verifies all documents and information.
• Grant of Licence is issued on clearance.

Process of Nomination of Authorised Indian Representative (AIR)

Foreign manufacturers are required to appoint an AIR for BIS Registration of Power Converters for application in Photovoltaic Power Systems. AIR handles applications, conformity, and correspondence.

• Clause 1: In case of a liaison/branch office in India, it shall be AIR.
• Clause 2: If there is no office but the owner of the trademark is present in India, then the owner of the trademark will be AIR.
• Clause 3: And if both are unavailable, any other Indian legal body can be used as AIR.

B) Domestic Manufacturer Process

The above procedure is being followed by Indian manufacturers for BIS Registration of Power Converters:

• Complete the online application form on the BIS portal.
• Provide samples of the product to a BIS-approved testing laboratory.
• All the documents are to be annexed to the test report.
• The application is analysed on a BIS basis.
• Licence is granted after verification is successful.

Documents for BIS Registration for Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems

The following documents need to be prepared and furnished by the applicants in order to register with BIS for Power Converters to be used in Photovoltaic Power Systems:

• Completed BIS application form and CDF/CCL forms.
• Factory licence of manufacturing factory (both local language + English translation).
• Business scope licence.
• ISO certification of the manufacturer.
• Product marking/label details.
• Authorisation letter (in case the signatory is not the unit head).
• Trademark certificate and authorisation letter (if necessary).
• Registration proof of AIR (for overseas manufacturers).
• Photograph identification of AIR-authorised signatory.
• Technical specification sheet and user manual of the product.

Validity and Renewal of BIS Registration for Power Converters 

The BIS Registration for Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems is valid for a period of two years from the issue date. The manufacturers should make sure that they renew the registration on time so that they remain under Indian law and are allowed to sell their products legally. It is renewable for a further two years by filing updated documents, such as modifications in the manufacturing process, product specifications, or ISO standards, along with the renewal fee. If non-renewal is not done before the expiry date, the licence becomes automatically cancelled, and such interested products cannot be sold or distributed in India until BIS re-certifies and renews the registration. Time renewal also helps the producers maintain the consumer's trust, avoiding potential legal repercussions and continuing business operations in the Indian solar market uninterruptedly. It is advisable that producers initiate the renewal process in advance since processing from BIS may differ depending on document checks and conformity tests. 

Benefits of Obtaining BIS Registration for Power Converters 

BIS Registration for Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems is advantageous to the manufacturer on various levels. Some of the key advantages are given below: 

• It guarantees overall compliance with mandatory Indian safety and performance requirements, allowing for the sale of products legally across India. 
• Certification also provides legal sanction for approval for the sale of the converters, ensuring increased trust among customers and business associates. 
• The manufacturer's brand receives increased market confidence, which also contributes to the brand value as well as forms confidence among end-consumers. 
• BIS registration ensures that there is greater access to the market for domestic as well as international players for which it is easier for foreign manufacturers to enter so that they can secure space in India's growing solar market. 
• It also ensures protection from regulatory fines, product recall, or exclusion from the market, making the business run unaffected. 
• Guarantees of product consistency, competitive advantage against non-BIS-compliant products, facilitation of export opportunities, business feasibility in the long term, and more conformity with evolving industry standards are some of the additional benefits. 
• In total, BIS certification is necessary for market acceptability as well as regulation approval of photovoltaic power system converters. 

Points to be Observed to Obtain a BIS Registration for Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems

The following are some key points that need to be followed by manufacturers:

• Always select BIS-approved laboratories with working accreditation.
• Do not consider the lab suspended or under audit while testing.
• Dispatch product samples in a proper manner.
• Sign, stamp, and notarise documents.
• Fill the Construction Data Form (CDF) and Critical Component List (CCL) accurately.
• Test reports hold validity only for 90 days.
• Plan documents are prepared in advance of testing samples.

• A BIS license is normally approved within 15–30 days, sometimes 60 days.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) guarantees every product's safety and quality compliance. 

• Application papers and forms are checked by BIS.
• Reports of renowned labs are checked by BIS
• Physical inspection can be conducted, if necessary.
• Licence is granted only after ascertaining that the product meets IS 16221 (Part 2): 2015.

BIS Registration for Power Converters for use in Photovoltaic Power Systems – IS 16221 (Part 2) is necessary for the safety, reliability, and synchronism of solar inverters fed to the grid. Both local and foreign producers will have to undergo the process of product testing, document submission, and BIS certification. As India's renewable energy sector increases at an astronomical rate, BIS registration is not only mandatory by law but also a strategic advantage for producers to establish themselves over the long term in the solar sector.