The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has published the hard copy version of the updated industry ‘bible’ on solar PV, ensuring installers will be ready to work with the next generation of photovoltaics.
Energy minister Greg Barker recently unveiled the new Guide to the Installation of Photovoltaic Systems, which has been updated in the wake of uptake by businesses and householders. The ECA was a core member of the MCS Solar PV Working Group, which was tasked with revising the guide.
The guide was originally drafted and published by the government’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the 1990s and has been the core document for the installer community ever since. However, in light of advances, the 100-plus page guide had fallen out of step with current technology and installation techniques, sparking demand for a crucial update managed by key industry experts.
Giuliano Digilio, ECA head of technical services, said: “It has been a huge honour that our essential expertise has been drawn on to help update this all-important guide, adding a much needed new testament to the solar PV bible.”
Barker said: “I pay tribute to those who have worked on this guide over the last few months. It is the ‘go-to’ text for PV system installers and its widespread use will improve the reliability of installations, increase customer confidence in PV and help consumers benefit from quality focussed engineering solutions.”
Under the stewardship of Gemserv, the current licensee of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, the newly improved guide includes all the latest in system design and installation techniques. It has significantly enhanced information regarding performance calculations, dead load and wind load requirements, as well as clarification on the requirements for RCDs and array frame earthing and bonding.
The MIS 3002 Standard, which covers PV installation, has also been updated to reflect its status as a key document for assessment. The latest version of MIS 3002 is available to download at www.microgenerationcertification.org and contractors must start working to version 3.0 of the Standard from 7 May 2013, three months from the date of publication.
Kunal Sharma, Gemserv MCS delivery manager, added: “It’s vital that industry guidance keeps pace with advancing technology and regulation. The MCS PV Working Group has carried out an excellent makeover to develop a mandatory and authoritative guide for MCS registrants.”
The guide is available in electronic form free from www.microgenerationcertification.org. Hard copies are available from the ECA shop at www.eca.co.uk.