BRE photovoltaic certification scheme
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is the UK's leading centre of expertise for construction, the built environment, energy, fire, security and associated issues. The BRE National Solar Centre was established in 2012 to provide independent, evidence-based information about solar energy systems and related topics.
On 19 July 2016, The BRE National Solar Centre unveiled a new PV Certification Scheme at the BRE Solar PV Summit in London, in a bid to standardise current practises.
Photovoltaic (PV) installations convert sunlight directly into electricity, helping reduce carbon emissions and utility costs and giving security of supply. There are an estimated 870,000 solar PV installations in homes and commercial buildings in the UK, ranging from small installations on buildings to large, ground-mounted utility-scale installations.
The certification scheme gives building operators, developers, financiers, insurance companies, consumers and installers the confidence that installed PV systems of 50 kWp and above, meet current best practice quality requirements (50 kWp is equivalent to approximately 350 sq. m, depending on panel efficiency).
It includes a review of system design and onsite commissioning, and is based on the IET (The Institution of Engineering and Technology) Code of Practice for Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems, developed in partnership with BRE. Once granted, certification can only be maintained through regular surveillance assessments.
Jonny Williams, Director at the BRE National Solar Centre said, “At the moment, it can be difficult for end users to be 100% confident that their solar is installed to a high standard and will perform reliably... those investing in solar who achieve this new certification, are demonstrating that their installation is not only appropriate for their property but is installed to the highest standard with a quality assurance approval from BRE Global.”
For more information email [email protected]
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Battery energy storage systems with grid-connected solar photovoltaics BR 514.
- BRE articles.
- BRE National Solar Centre.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Code of Practice for Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems.
- DC isolators for photovoltaic systems (FB 68).
- Feed in tariff.
- Future of electricity in domestic buildings.
- Green Deal.
- Installation of photovoltaic panels on existing flat roofs - some lessons learned IP 8 14.
- Large scale solar thermal energy.
- Microgeneration.
- Micro-grid.
- Multi-functional solar car parks.
- Photovoltaics.
- PV inverter.
- Solar thermal systems.
- The Future of Electricity in Domestic Buildings.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.
Featured articles and news
Not buildings. Happy holiday from DB.
Future Homes Standard: Industry calls for more ambition
As the Government FHS consultation finally closes.
Improving government projects with data and AI
Enabling better outcomes, efficient modern delivery and influential leadership on government projects.
BSRIA Living Laboratory Innovation Challenge
Final days for submission, closing March 29.
Windows, their frames, forms, factors and functions.
The hidden subtleties of U-Value calculations
Different contexts and what to include as variables.
A brief run down with related articles.
Electrical sector calls for safer public EV charge points
Serious concerns about electrical safety in the public domain.
Building Blocks manifesto presented to parliament
Architects Declare call in for support of five critical policies.
The four elements of project management with APM
Analysis, expectations, collaborative communication and partnerships.
City of London launches Heritage Building Retrofit Toolkit
Empowering owners to initiate necessary adaptations.
Guidance on RAAC in listed buildings
Published by Purcell, endorsed by IHBC, SPAB and C20.
Learning from the past.
Reluctance to hire people with criminal convictions revealed
Employing People with Criminal Convictions Report.
Tackling unconscious bias; Women's History Month
Personal reflections, as the last week of March approaches.