Greg Barker announces ‘go-to’ guide for PV installers

Climate change minister Greg Barker has unveiled a new guide for solar PV installers that will ensure grid-connected PV systems meet current UK standards and best practice.


Through a set of standards and regulations, the guide is aimed at typical grid connected systems of up to 50kWp and will be the technical standard to which Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) registered installation companies are expected to meet in order to gain and/or maintain their certification.

Announcing the guide at the first in a series of six Solar Roadshows across the UK, Barker said: “Its widespread use will improve the reliability of installations, increase customer confidence in PV and help us all benefit from quality focused engineering solutions”.

The guide is also an update to the Microgeneration Installation Standard, MIS 3002, for solar PV contractors, which if followed allows individuals the ability to offer feed-in tariff incentives to customers.

Installation companies will have three months from today before they must work to the new version of the ‘MIS 3002 issue 3.0’. However, before May 7 2013 installation companies can use the new version of MIS 3002 and the new PV guide if they choose.

Last month, Barker stressed that Solar PV will play an essential role in the UK’s energy future after coming through a ‘testing period’.

Speaking at the launch of the BRE National Solar Centre on January 16, Barker backed the solar industry for its resilience over two challenging years that saw changes to subsidies and uncertainty for investors.

The Government’s recent recognition and support of the solar industry was also hailed by those in the sector as an important commitment for the UK’s energy future.

Speaking to edie in January, chairman of the British Photovoltaic Association (BPVA), Reza Shaybani, was encouraged to hear the Minister of Energy and Climate Change Greg Barker highlight solar’s position in the UK’s future energy mix.

Leigh Stringer

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