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.”