Tigo Energy and CELTEC Partner to Strengthen Safety and Compliance in Central American Solar Projects
Tigo Energy, Inc., a leading provider of intelligent solar and energy software solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with CELTEC, a regional distributor specializing in renewable energy technologies. Through this collaboration, CELTEC will distribute Tigo’s Rapid Shutdown solutions along with its full portfolio of solar optimizers and related products throughout Central America and the Caribbean. The partnership reflects the growing demand for advanced solar technologies in the region as governments, developers, and installers continue to expand solar deployment while addressing evolving safety standards and regulatory frameworks.
The alliance comes at a time when the solar energy sector across Central America and the Caribbean is experiencing steady growth. Countries throughout the region are accelerating the adoption of renewable energy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, enhance energy security, and support climate commitments. As solar installations expand—from small residential rooftop systems to large-scale commercial and utility projects—there is a growing emphasis on safety standards, system performance, and regulatory compliance.
A key element influencing the design and installation of solar systems in the region is the increasing adoption of the National Electrical Code (NEC) standards. In particular, the NEC 2017 and NEC 2020 provisions include strict guidelines for rapid shutdown capabilities in photovoltaic systems to enhance safety for emergency responders. Panama has already made NEC compliance mandatory, while other Central American and Caribbean nations are gradually introducing similar requirements. As these regulatory frameworks evolve, installers and project developers must integrate technologies that ensure both compliance and operational reliability.
Through the partnership, CELTEC will provide access to Tigo’s rapid shutdown and module-level power electronics (MLPE) solutions, enabling solar installers and developers to meet the latest NEC requirements while improving overall system safety and performance. The collaboration will also help streamline the distribution of these technologies, making them more readily available to solar professionals operating across multiple markets in the region.
Darío Torres, CEO of CELTEC, emphasized the importance of safety and regulatory readiness as solar markets mature across Central America and the Caribbean. According to Torres, the introduction and enforcement of NEC 2020 requirements mark an important milestone in how solar projects are designed and implemented.
“The implementation of NEC 2020 in the markets we serve always represents a turning point in the way solar projects are designed, particularly in relation to the safety of first responders,” Torres said. “Safety must be a fundamental pillar in any solar project, whether it is residential, commercial, or utility-scale. Through our partnership with Tigo, we are strengthening our value proposition for installers and developers by offering a robust technical solution that protects people, infrastructure, and long-term investment.”
At the center of the partnership is the Tigo TS4-A-2F device, one of the company’s key rapid shutdown solutions designed to meet the latest module-level shutdown requirements defined in NEC 2017 and NEC 2020. Rapid shutdown technology is critical for solar systems because it allows first responders—such as firefighters—to quickly de-energize photovoltaic arrays during emergencies, reducing the risk of electric shock when responding to fires or other incidents.
The TS4-A-2F is designed to provide a reliable and cost-effective approach to rapid shutdown compliance. It connects to two solar modules simultaneously, offering a streamlined installation process compared to single-channel MLPE devices that typically connect to only one module at a time. By supporting two modules per device, the TS4-A-2F can significantly reduce installation complexity and hardware requirements.
In a typical solar installation with a 14-panel string, the dual-module configuration can reduce the number of required connections by up to 16 percent when compared with single-channel solutions. This reduction helps shorten installation time and simplifies fieldwork for solar technicians. At the same time, fewer electrical connections can reduce potential points of failure, contributing to improved long-term system reliability and maintenance efficiency.
The TS4-A-2F also meets rigorous global safety and quality standards. The device is certified by both IEC and UL, allowing it to be deployed across international markets with confidence. In addition, the product carries UL PVRSS (Photovoltaic Rapid Shutdown System) certification, which ensures compatibility with a wide range of solar inverters. Many of these inverters already include integrated Tigo RSS transmitters, making system design and integration easier for installers.
Beyond regulatory compliance, the partnership between Tigo and CELTEC also reflects the broader transformation taking place within the solar industry. As photovoltaic technology becomes more widely adopted across emerging markets, there is increasing demand for solutions that combine efficiency, safety, and digital monitoring capabilities.
Tigo’s MLPE technology is designed to enhance solar system performance at the module level by enabling advanced monitoring, optimization, and safety functions. These technologies allow installers to track the performance of individual modules, quickly identify issues, and improve energy yield across the entire system. For solar developers and system owners, these capabilities can translate into higher system uptime, improved return on investment, and enhanced operational transparency.
Jing Tian, Chief Growth Officer at Tigo Energy, noted that the partnership with CELTEC is intended to support the long-term development of the solar industry across Central America and the Caribbean. According to Tian, safety considerations—particularly those involving emergency responders—are becoming an increasingly central component of solar system design.
“Within the framework of our partnership, the safety of first responders has become a central consideration in the design and installation of solar projects across residential, commercial, and utility-scale applications,” Tian said. “Through this alliance, we aim to contribute to the sustainable growth of the solar market in Central America and the Caribbean by encouraging the adoption of technologies that combine innovation, regulatory compliance, and a strong focus on safety and quality.”
Tian added that these elements—innovation, safety, and regulatory alignment—are essential to ensuring the continued expansion of renewable energy infrastructure throughout the region. As solar capacity grows, technology providers and distributors must work together to ensure that installers have access to the tools and expertise required to deliver safe and efficient projects.
The collaboration also highlights the important role regional distributors play in accelerating clean energy adoption. Companies like CELTEC serve as a critical bridge between technology providers and local installers, offering technical training, logistics support, and localized expertise that help ensure new technologies are successfully implemented in diverse market environments.
By combining Tigo’s advanced solar technologies with CELTEC’s regional distribution capabilities, the partnership is expected to support solar installers, engineering firms, and project developers throughout Central America and the Caribbean. These stakeholders will gain improved access to NEC-compliant rapid shutdown solutions and other module-level technologies designed to enhance both safety and system performance.
As governments across the region continue to introduce new renewable energy policies and strengthen grid resilience, collaborations like this are likely to become increasingly important. The adoption of advanced safety technologies not only helps meet regulatory requirements but also builds confidence among investors, utilities, and local communities that solar projects are being developed responsibly.
Looking ahead, the partnership between Tigo Energy and CELTEC is positioned to play a meaningful role in shaping the next phase of solar expansion across the region. By prioritizing safety, innovation, and regulatory compliance, the two companies aim to support the development of a more resilient and sustainable solar energy ecosystem in Central America and the Caribbean.
Through expanded distribution channels and improved access to advanced solar technologies, installers and developers in the region will be better equipped to design and deploy systems that meet evolving industry standards while contributing to the broader global transition toward clean energy.
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