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
What they are, how they work and why they are popular in many countries.
Plastic, recycling and its symbol
Student competition winning, M.C.Esher inspired Möbius strip design symbolising continuity within a finite entity.
Do you take the lead in a circular construction economy?
Help us develop and expand this wiki as a resource for academia and industry alike.
Warm Homes Plan Workforce Taskforce
Risks of undermining UK’s energy transition due to lack of electrotechnical industry representation, says ECA.
Cost Optimal Domestic Electrification CODE
Modelling retrofits only on costs that directly impact the consumer: upfront cost of equipment, energy costs and maintenance costs.
The Warm Homes Plan details released
What's new and what is not, with industry reactions.
Could AI and VR cause an increase the value of heritage?
The Orange book: 2026 Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018
ECA welcomes IET and BSI content sign off.
How neural technologies could transform the design future
Enhancing legacy parametric engines, offering novel ways to explore solutions and generate geometry.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government and other bodies.
From QS to further education teacher
Applying real world skills with the next generation.
A guide on how children can use LEGO to mirror real engineering processes.
Data infrastructure for next-generation materials science
Research Data Express to automate data processing and create AI-ready datasets for materials research.
Wired for the Future with ECA; powering skills and progress
ECA South Wales Business Day 2025, a day to remember.
AI for the conservation professional
A level of sophistication previously reserved for science fiction.
Biomass harvested in cycles of less than ten years.
An interview with the new CIAT President
Usman Yaqub BSc (Hons) PCIAT MFPWS.
Cost benefit model report of building safety regime in Wales
Proposed policy option costs for design and construction stage of the new building safety regime in Wales.
Do you receive our free biweekly newsletter?
If not you can sign up to receive it in your mailbox here.