The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently released the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Healthy Development of the Solar Water Heater Industry", which regards promoting the upgrading of industry brands and standards as an important lever and main goal to promote the healthy development of the industry.

    　　For some time now, the solar water heater industry, especially household solar water heaters, has been criticized for quality issues. Industry experts believe that the most fundamental way to achieve industry optimization and upgrading is to improve product quality and give market confidence. The urgent task is to start with implementing standards in place.

    　　Not long ago, the National Building Materials Industry Building Hardware Water Heating Product Quality Inspection Center released information showing that in 2012, the qualified rate of solar water heater products in the production and circulation of solar products in Beijing was 79%, and the overall quality status was still low, especially in the product quality control of small and medium-sized enterprises. Industry insiders say that through spot checks, the main purpose is to discover problems in the production or product quality control of enterprises, in order to help them solve problems.

    　　Gu Xiuzhi, Director of the New Energy Testing Department of the National Building Materials Industry Building Hardware Water Heating Product Quality Inspection Center, told reporters that this situation is expected to improve this year because the new version of the "Technical Conditions for Household Solar Hot Water Systems" standard was promulgated and implemented in August 2012. Compared to the old standards, the new standards place more emphasis on design values and have stricter parameter requirements, such as thermal performance indicators and heat gain. Previously, these indicators were relatively low, but now they require higher numerical values. In addition, the performance requirements have become more comprehensive, with an increase in testing items and higher parameter requirements. Multiple indicators such as thermal cycling performance and pressure testing have been added for assessment.

    　　In addition, the standard system of the solar water heater industry will accelerate its improvement. The Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Healthy Development of the Solar Water Heater Industry issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology require the formulation and implementation of standards related to safety, reliability, and installation (industry standards for water storage tanks, brackets, and installation), and strengthen the construction of standardization basic capabilities from the aspects of institutional improvement and personnel training, and carry out standardization work in an orderly manner.

    　　The vast majority of non-conforming products are not produced strictly according to the standards. In response to the 79% pass rate of solar water heater products in Beijing in 2012, industry experts analyzed that just like traffic regulations, many people read some traffic regulations when learning to drive, but there is also a chance of violating rules while driving, mainly depending on whether they strictly follow the standard requirements.

    　　Throughout the solar water heater industry, there are many standards involved, including national standards, industry standards, landmarks, etc. However, some companies fail to implement these standards properly, resulting in substandard quality and causing losses to consumers. Therefore, working from the perspective of promoting and inspecting standards may be more effective. The opinions released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to promote the healthy development of the solar energy industry also emphasize the strict implementation of product quality standards, further improving the reliability, stability, and precision of high-end product processing.

    　　Another closely related standard is 3C certification. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has publicly stated that it will promote the development of product safety standards and installation standards, and when conditions are ripe, promote the inclusion of complete machine products in the national "3C" certification management catalog. Cheng Yuxiong analyzed that this requires specific problem analysis and differentiated treatment. From the classification of solar water heaters, one type does not have an auxiliary electric heating device and does not require 3C certification; In addition, some solar water heaters come with electric heating rods, which require mandatory 3C certification for personal safety.

    　It is reported that there is a new member in the standard list of solar water heaters: the industry standard QB/T4405-2012 "Household Electric Auxiliary Heating Solar Water Heating System" has been approved and released by the National Standards Committee, and will be implemented from June 1st this year.