FM Approvals’ first Identified Components for photovoltaic applications are important advancement in severe hail resilience

As extreme weather events continue to challenge the resilience of solar installations, the ability to identify and specify components that have been independently evaluated against recognized performance requirements is becoming increasingly important.

In 2025, FM Approvals introduced Identified Component Recognition for photovoltaic modules and securement devices. The program validates component performance and manufacturing quality while providing manufacturers with a pathway to independent recognition by FM Approvals. Overall, these efforts help support consistent performance expectations and streamline usage as components that achieve recognition can be used in assemblies without additional auditing of the roof, trackers or securement system manufacturers.

First-ever Identified Component Recognition

In July, Canadian Solar Inc. became the first-ever manufacturer to complete Identified Component Recognition for both roof-mounted and ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) applications. Upon completion, Canadian Solar’s CS6.2-66HB-xxxHP and CS6.2-66TB-xxxHP hail-resistant modules became the first-ever PV products to be listed as identified components for Severe Hail (SH) zones. Installers, developers, asset owners, and other stakeholders now have additional validation that a module that uses these components is resilient to severe hail conditions.

The Identified Component Recognition was completed using the requirements of FM Approvals Examination Standard 4478 for Roof-Mounted Rigid Photovoltaic Modules Systems and FM Approvals Examination Standard 4480 for Ground-Mounted or Elevated Photovoltaic Modules Systems. This provides project stakeholders with additional confidence that critical components for PV modules have been evaluated using established FM Approvals criteria that support resilient solar installations.

"As extreme weather events become more frequent, resilience is increasingly critical to solar project success," said Dr. Shawn Qu, Executive Chairman and Chief Technology Officer of Canadian Solar. "The FM Approvals listing of our U.S.-manufactured CS6.2-66HB-xxxHP and CS6.2-66TB-xxxHP modules demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-performance products that help customers mitigate risk, improve project bankability, and ensure reliable long-term operation of their solar assets."

Positive Implications for the Solar Industry

The Identified Component Recognition of Canadian Solar's modules signals positive implications across the solar value chain:

• Solar developers and investors gain additional confidence that critical components have been independently evaluated using FM Approvals’ hail requirements.
• Facility owners can make better informed decisions when selecting components.
• Procurement, engineering, and construction teams have greater visibility into components available for photovoltaic projects.
• Manufacturers have a new pathway for demonstrating that critical components have undergone independent hail evaluation and ongoing surveillance.

Supporting More Resilient Solar Projects

Canadian Solar’s designations as Identified Component for roof-mounted and ground-mounted photovoltaic applications under FM 4478 and FM 4480 represents an important step in advancing resilient solar infrastructure. As solar installations continue to accelerate worldwide, independent evaluation of critical components helps provide stakeholders with greater confidence in the products being designed, manufactured, specified, installed, and operated.

Through the listing and auditing of these components, FM Approvals remains committed to supporting the development of resilient technologies that help organizations better manage risk and will continue to find new ways to confirm the performance of all aspects of property loss prevention solutions.

Backed by more than 140 years of property loss prevention testing and certification experience and scientific research, components recognized by FM Approvals have been evaluated to perform under the toughest conditions presented by natural hazards and other threats faced by facilities that rely on photovoltaics. Whether you manufacture a product or utilize these types of products in your facility, reach out to Kennie Thompson (FM Approvals, Business Development Engineer) at [email protected] to learn more about Identified Component Recognition or any of our testing and certification programs.