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BRE Introduces New Solar PV Certification Scheme

Cristina Diaconu July 20, 2016

The Building Research Establishment (better known as BRE) is launching a brand-new certification scheme to allow solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installers to reassure their customers that systems are delivered safely and, more importantly, that PV systems will perform reliably. There are currently around 870,000 PV systems in operation across the

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Latest Issue
Issue 328 : May 2025

IET

Bogus manuals, putting safety at risk, highlight SELECT’s campaign for professional recognition of electricians

Kenneth Booth January 8, 2019

The ongoing threat of poor and potentially dangerous electrical work has been highlighted once again by SELECT, the industry body for Scotland’s electrical sector professionals, as it is revealed that counterfeit copies of vital wiring regulations are being offered for sale. The bogus PDF copies of BS7671:2018, the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) Wiring Regulations, could be devastating for electrical professionals, with missing or corrupted information potentially leading to unsafe work and risking fire, electric shock or even death. The latest counterfeiting activity reinforces the message that SELECT has been promoting in the Scottish Parliament in its campaign, backed by the Scottish Joint Industry Board and Unite the Union, for recognition of electricians as a profession. SELECT’s case was pressed recently (October) in a Holyrood debate in which evidence was presented of unqualified and under-qualified people who masquerade as electricians endangering public safety by carrying out work across Scotland. Dave Forrester, Head of Technical Services at SELECT, said: “Only a short time after the issue of safety was debated in the Scottish Parliament, we have now uncovered bogus British Standards and other manuals being offered online to companies which will put consumers in further jeopardy”. Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at the IET, said that the fake PDFs, which were being distributed through a variety of channels, looked “convincing” on the first inspection. However, they are sprinkled with errors and corrupted information. The IET is now taking action to combat the counterfeiters by inserting a hologram in its Regulations, commonly known as the 18th Edition, to help users identify genuine copies. It contains the IET logo and the word “Genuine”. Mr Coles said: “Ensuring that genuine copies of IET publications are being used by electrical professionals is important in order that correct standards are used to protect the public and those working in the industry from injury and fatality.” SELECT’s campaign for protection of title has been at the forefront of its work following a speech by a Government Minister at a European electrical contractors’ conference in Edinburgh in 2015. It has been supported by unions, trade bodies and politicians from all parties. Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, recently said in Parliament that discussions would continue with the aim of bringing a Ministerial view to Parliament in due course. SELECT’s 1250 member companies account for around 90% of all electrical installation work carried out in Scotland. They have a collective turnover of around £1 billion and provide employment for 15,000 people. For more information please contact Alan Wilson, Acting Managing Director at SELECT, the Electrical Contractors’ Association of Scotland, The Walled Garden, Bush Estate, Midlothian, EH26 0SB. T:  0131 445 5577<tel:0131%20445%205577>. F: 0131 445 5548. E: admin@select.org.uk<mailto:admin@select.org.uk>. W: www.select.org.uk<http://www.select.org.uk/>   Twitter: http://twitter.com/updates_select https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWJVjt14CvIig8bIKwidVug

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BUREAU VERITAS CALLS ON CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO GIVE PART 8 THE GREEN LIGHT

BDC News Team February 8, 2018

With just a few months to go until the arrival of the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations, Bureau Veritas is calling on construction industry to embrace the changes brought by the new Part 8 section – stating it is an important step forward in the UK’s green agenda. As one of the most successful countries in its carbon reductions, the UK continues to make huge headway in its target towards reducing emissions by 80% on 1990 levels before 2050 – with the adoption of more energy efficient solutions integral to this. Yet until this point, there has been no official best practice regulation around the design and installation of energy efficient technology – meaning it has been all too common for installations to be completed with little regard to energy use and emissions. Cue the arrival of the 18th Edition this July (2018) which, for the first time, will go beyond just looking at safety requirements to include a section dedicated to energy efficiency in installation – a move which Bureau Veritas states will bring renewed focus on the energy efficiency plight. Mahendra Mistry, technical manager for electrical systems at Bureau Veritas, said: “Although it’s been the subject of much debate, with some stating that the Wiring Regulations should be confined solely to safety requirements, the introduction of an energy efficient section is an vital step forward in ensuring the most current and relevant guidance possible. “Until now, energy efficiency has all too often been a ‘nice to have’, with it all too common for installations to be chopped and changed, with little regard to the distribution of electricity or potential losses. However, by making energy efficiency a primary focus from the offset, we can look to ensure that each and every installation is completely as safety and sustainably as possible.” Comprising 25 pages, the new Part 8 section provides guidance on ensuring the energy-efficiency of electrical installations with a view to lessening environmental impact, reducing energy losses, using energy only when required and potentially at a lower tariff, reducing maintenance by ensuring equipment is installed correctly and enhancing life-time efficiency. The consensus is that the change could help coerce increased demand for smart solutions, such as electric vehicles, LEDs, power factor correction and the like, while, in turn, opening up new business opportunities for electrical contractors. Mahendra adds: “As an industry, we still have a huge job to do in terms of not just meeting carbon reduction commitments but ensuring a sustainable infrastructure; which Part 8 will help to more adequately address. Indeed, it may mean more change for construction sector and contractors to get to grips with but it is an important regulatory reform which not only aid our sustainability plight but create new opportunity.” To find out more about Bureau Veritas please call 0345 600 1828 or email info@uk.bureauveritas.com. Alternatively, please visit www.bureauveritas.co.uk

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BRE Introduces New Solar PV Certification Scheme

Cristina Diaconu July 20, 2016

The Building Research Establishment (better known as BRE) is launching a brand-new certification scheme to allow solar photovoltaic (PV) systems installers to reassure their customers that systems are delivered safely and, more importantly, that PV systems will perform reliably. There are currently around 870,000 PV systems in operation across the UK, fitted on residential and commercial properties. Despite that figure, there has never been a standardised certification scheme or best practice framework in place thus solar PV customers cannot be provided absolute confidence or certainty as to the value of the service provided. With a view to remedying that uncertainty, BRE Global, is unveiling a new certification scheme capable of providing quality assurance on systems of 50 kWp (equivalent to around 350m2) and above. BRE’s new scheme was launched at yesterday’s Solar PV Summit in London. With the solar PV certification scheme, the world-leading scientific research group, responsible for the much sought-after BREEAM environmental and sustainability building standard, principally aims to instil greater confidence in solar PV amongst installers, developers and customers and, in turn, ecnourage greater uptake of the energy generation technology. Jonny Williams, Director of BRE’s National Solar Centre admitted that its currently difficult for end users to ascertain the standard with which their system has been fitted and be sure that it will continue to perform consistently in the years ahead. The new certification will eradicate that problem, he said, formalising the practice and expectations as well as making sure al solar PV systems are appropriate to the property on which they’re fitted. As well as details on best practice installation, the scheme also comprises system design and on-site commissioning information. It has been developed on the back of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Code of Practice for Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems. Firms securing BRE certification must undergo regular surveillance assessments in order to maintain compliance.

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