IBTS Receives Major DOE Award to Expand and Enhance Solar PV Inspection Platform

October 29, 2019

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A brick house with solar panels on the roof at sunset.

November 1, 2019 – Ashburn, VA

Thanks to a major award from the U.S. Department of Energy, IBTS will expand its photovoltaic (PV) quality management field inspection platform, benefitting the solar industry by making the platform — and the data it collects — publically available.


The Institute for Building Technology & Safety (IBTS) received a major award from the Solar Energy Technology Office of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technology Office to expand IBTS’ photovoltaic (PV) inspection platform.


IBTS, a national leader in third-party PV installation quality management, uses the current version of the inspection platform internally to track solar PV installation quality data and other information for clients.


With the funding, IBTS will expand the software through stakeholder engagement, allowing participation in developing expanded software design requirements, and then ultimately providing public access to the system and the data it collects. The result will benefit stakeholders across the solar industry, including jurisdictions, inspectors, installation companies and installers, code makers, financiers, and component manufacturers.


The expansion will allow other companies and jurisdictions to use the software themselves, or partner with IBTS to oversee their fleet of installation crews, permit inspections, or program compliance obligations. The platform also includes a remote tool that allows IBTS and other licensed users to increase efficiency by conducting remote fleet management or permit inspections via mobile intake.


The expanded platform will also collect significant amounts of data on solar PV installation violations, which will be provided to the public via a web-based open data portal. The portal will also incorporate additional datasets such as weather, system performance monitoring, operations and maintenance, installer certification levels, and others. By identifying possible scientific commonality between the datasets, this effort will provide the solar industry with valuable data for identifying installation deficiencies and developing process improvements, in turn helping ensure the safety and quality of solar PV technologies.


“IBTS is excited to offer our PV quality management tools to the industry through this software, allowing stakeholders across the industry to increase the safety, efficiency, and quality of solar PV inspections,” says Rudy Saporite, IBTS Energy & Sustainability Program Manager. “Making the inspection data collected through these efforts publically available will be invaluable to identify and improve on solar PV installation quality.”


IBTS was selected as a part of the Energy Department’s FY2018 SETO funding program, an effort to invest in new projects that will lower solar electricity costs and support a growing solar workforce. IBTS is one of several photovoltaics research projects that will focus on improving the performance and reliability of PV cells, modules, and systems and reducing materials and processing costs.


IBTS’ Energy & Sustainability division provides solar PV and energy program quality management, including field verification, quality desktop review, program oversight, strategic planning, training and other services to various state, local, and private clients throughout the nation.



Press Contact:

Karen Johnson
Market Engagement Program Director
kjohnson@ibts.org


 

About IBTS:

IBTS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping communities through quality services that reduce risk, enhance public safety, and improve quality of life. IBTS is headquartered in Ashburn, Virginia with branch offices across the country. IBTS’s work is guided by a Board of Directors made up of government officials appointed by five of the most highly respected, grassroots, state and local governmental associations, including the Council of State Governments (CSG), International City/County Management Association (ICMA), National Association of Counties (NACo), National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center), and National League of Cities (NLC).

What does it take to deliver resilient housing at scale in the Caribbean? Hint: It's not just funds

September 28, 2026
MIAMI, FL— What does it take to deliver resilient housing at scale in the Caribbean? That question was at the center of a panel featuring James Turner, IBTS Director of Federal Programs, during the 10th Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF) in Miami. The event brought together government officials, developers, investors, infrastructure leaders, utilities, development finance organizations, and public-sector decision makers from more than 30 Caribbean nations and territories to discuss the region's infrastructure priorities and investment needs. James was featured on stage for the "Delivering Affordable and Resilient Housing in the Caribbean" panel discussion, alongside Bermuda housing leader Jeane Nikolai and Caribbean business executive André C. Walcott. The discussion focused on a challenge shared across the region: how to provide safe, affordable housing while strengthening communities against hurricanes, flooding, and other natural hazards. Drawing on IBTS' 5-decade-long experience supporting the US Department of Housing (HUD), as well as our experience in FEMA-funded housing and recovery programs, James emphasized that resilient housing is about much more than construction. Successful programs depend on strong building codes, qualified workers, reliable materials, effective quality assurance, and the systems needed to move projects from funding to implementation. Fellow panelists also shared their interesting perspectives based on their experiences. Jeane Nikolai stressed that homes must be built to withstand the region's climate conditions and backed by dependable warranty terms, noting that a lack of such options can narrow the housing choices available. Resilient construction, she emphasized, is essential to protecting both the homes themselves and the people who live in them. André C. Walcott underscored the importance of consistent building standards to ensure quality construction, along with the need for qualified, well-trained personnel and approved building materials, all of which contribute to safer, better-performing homes. The discussion and audience questions made one point clear: housing shortages are a shared challenge across countries, but the obstacles to meeting housing goals vary from place to place. Funding is a significant concern, but it is not the only driving factor in every case. The conversation reinforced why organizations such as IBTS are needed. Across the Caribbean, governments are investing in housing, infrastructure, and resilience, but many face common implementation challenges, including regulatory requirements, workforce shortages, compliance oversight, and program delivery. IBTS helps bridge those gaps via program management, building code compliance, quality assurance, inspections, resilience planning, and related technical services. Beyond the panel discussion, CARIF provided an opportunity for IBTS to engage directly with government representatives, infrastructure agencies, development institutions, utilities, developers, and private-sector partners working throughout the Caribbean. These conversations highlighted a growing focus on turning funding and policy commitments into real-world projects that strengthen communities and improve long-term resilience. Reflecting on the experience, James noted: "I was honored to participate in discussions with a group of solution-oriented leaders and professionals addressing the critical needs of the Caribbean. I look forward to continuing these important conversations and turning the concepts into actionable implementations." For IBTS, the message from CARIF was clear: resilient housing requires collaboration, practical implementation, and a commitment to quality at every stage. As Caribbean nations continue investing in their future, IBTS remains committed to helping communities transform plans, funding, and policy goals into lasting results. About James Turner: Mr. Turner provides nearly 20 years of professional experience, which includes significant knowledge and experience with manufactured housing standards and regulations. His experience includes technical and regulatory projects, design evaluations, performance assessment, conformity assessment, and technical regulatory research and analysis. About IBTS: With a mission to strengthen communities, IBTS serves as a trusted advisor and partner to local, state, and federal governments in advancing economic development. Its services ensure the effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of renewable energy projects and federally funded energy and sustainability programs—optimizing performance, reducing risk, and promoting the efficient use of public funds. Beyond its expertise in solar quality assurance, IBTS’s Puerto Rico office provides services in federal fund management; disaster planning, mitigation, and recovery; municipal planning; and resilience strategies. As a nonprofit organization, IBTS is guided by a Board of Directors with representatives from the Council of State Governments (CSG) , International City/County Management Association (ICMA) , National Association of Counties (NACo) , National Governors Association (NGA) , and the National League of Cities (NLC) . For more information, visit www.ibts.org .

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September 18, 2026
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IBTS Exceeds Weatherization Goal, Upgrades 103 Puerto Rico Homes

July 21, 2026
The Institute for Building Technology and Safety has completed energy-efficiency, health and safety improvements in 103 Puerto Rico homes through a federally financed weatherization program, exceeding its goal of 100 households in about six weeks. The nonprofit organization, known as IBTS, managed operations and coordinated the latest phase of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce’s Energy Public Policy Program. Weatherization programs are intended to reduce household energy costs by making homes more efficient while addressing conditions that can affect residents’ health and safety. The Puerto Rico initiative prioritized low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities, according to IBTS. The organization did not specify the individual improvements made in each home but said the work was intended to increase comfort, improve living conditions and strengthen resilience. IBTS handled project management, inspections, quality assurance, regulatory compliance, document control and staff training, the organization said. The project also reported a 98% satisfaction rate among participants. “This program demonstrates what is possible when federal resources are translated into practical, measurable improvements for families and communities,” said Agnes Crespo-Quintana, IBTS’s Caribbean regional director. Alvin Miranda-Colón, manager of the Weatherization Assistance Program, said the initiative was intended to make energy more affordable while supporting sustainability and community resilience. IBTS said the project required coordination among government officials, contractors, auditors, inspectors, technology providers and participating communities. The organization said that work also developed procedures, trained personnel and expanded institutional capacity that could be used in future federally financed energy, housing and infrastructure programs. Judelly Hernández-Morales, the IBTS project manager, said cooperation between the public and private sectors helped translate federal funding into improvements for participating households.