This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
ECA News


All the latest news www.eca.co.uk


Energy reduction initiative must avoid FITs fiasco


Paul Reeve, ECA head of Business Policy and


Practice said: ‘Anything that encourages businesses to cut their energy bills, while providing work for the sector, should be welcomed. However, the government cannot allow this idea to turn into yet another “FITs fiasco”. The government must ensure that there is a guaranteed rate of return, or businesses won’t see the benefits.’ Reeve added: ‘We advise the government to


keep the scheme simple and carefully consider how any financial incentive would be paid. We particularly believe any financial inducement will be more effective if it is offered at the start of the project, and reduces the initial capital expenditure. This would encourage businesses to look into commissioning improvements and create work opportunities for skilled contractors.’ The ECA has urged government to learn from


ECA delivers solar PV ‘bible’ n


The ECA has warned that the government’s proposed Energy Demand Reduction


initiative (EDR) must avoid the mistakes made when it launched the Feed-in Tariff scheme (FITs). In its submission to the government’s consultation, the ECA says that to succeed, the scheme must be simple and properly subsidised.


Under the proposed EDR, businesses will receive


an as-yet unspecified financial incentive for making energy efficient improvements to their premises. The ECA has recommended that lighting upgrades, along with building control systems, should be made a priority for the scheme, as these will offer the greatest rate of return.


n


The 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 former 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


10 ECA Today June 2013


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- focused engineering solutions.’ Under the stewardship of Gemserv – the current licensee


of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) – the newly improved guide includes all the latest in system design and installation techniques. It has significantly enhanced information on 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 have been required to work to version 3.0 of the standard since 7 May this year. n The guide, available in electronic


the example of other countries, such as the Energy Saving Certificate scheme implemented in France and the ‘pro-kilowatt’ scheme in Switzerland, which have successfully encouraged businesses to commission energy saving improvements. Reeve concluded: ‘Our sector can make a real


difference in cutting the costs of commercial energy usage. We hope the government will listen to industry and, by tackling climate change, create a real climate for growth in our sector.’


form, is free from www. microgenerationcertification. org and hard copies are available from the ECA shop at www.eca.co.uk


SHUTTERSTOCK/PIXEL EUROPE


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68