The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has confirmed that it will be issuing a code of practice for solar PV next year.
The IET’s new Code of Practice for the Design, Installation and Operation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems will be designed to reassure existing solar users and potential customers over the technology as its popularity increases in the UK.
Due for publication in mid-2014, the code will help address the requirements for designing, installing and operating solar at all scales in the UK. The IET hopes that the new code will provide engineers and technicians with guidance on the ‘safe, effective and competent application of grid-connected solar PV systems’.
Ray Noble, a member of the IET Solar Photovoltaic Technical Committee and the Department of Energy and Climate Change Solar Strategy group, said: “The popularity of solar photovoltaic systems has increased in recent years to the point that a Code of Practice is essential to meeting the challenges of this maturing industry.
“Key stakeholder involvement is critical to this Code of Practice, and so the development of this document by a respected body such as the IET will increase consumer confidence, while also meeting the needs of solar PV professionals, users and owners.”
The IET partnered with the BRE National Solar Centre (NSC) in its development of the Code of Practice. The NSC acted as technical authors for the code and a further technical committee made up of key stakeholders were also consulted in order to build a broad consensus.
As part of the process, IET has also produced a solar PV fact file for the public and policymakers which serves as an introduction to the various types of solar PV. The document can be viewed here.