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
Apprenticeship announcement by the Prime Minister
Welcomed but with call for more actionable detail.
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.