Jonny Williams, Associate Director at BRE National Solar Centre, gives an introduction to what the NSC does and how it can help solar installers as well as an update on their solar technology test site.

1. Part of the BRE Trust
Jonny Williams, Associate Director
Gallery, Eden Project, 7th August 2014
BRE National Solar Centre

2. BRE National Solar Centre
– Opened in April 2013 by
Greg Barker MP
– Based at the Eden Project in
Cornwall
– Solar Test Site underway

3. National Solar Centre
• Support the UK solar PV industry – grow, innovate & thrive
• Support solar at all scales
• Provide information for investors, banks and construction industry
• Independent guidance for building owners and occupiers to make
informed choices
• Integrate solar PV and construction industries
• Support Cornish business
Objective
To deliver independent research
led knowledge and guidance for
the solar industry in the UK.

4. Industry Support
The NSC is funded by ERDF with contributions from our Founding Partners

5. 1. Solar Technology Test Site
Office NSC test site

6. 1. Solar Technology Test Site
Why?
Performance claims
Outdoor testing
“More choice is better”
Give confidence
Outputs?
Annual report
Quarterly feedback
DER Lab Specification

7. Testing at the Eden Project System
Module

8. NSC technology test site
What will we achieve:
– Independent evaluation
– Due diligence data
– Commercial showcase
Who will benefit:
– Manufacturers
– Overall Supply Chain
– All interested parties
More Information?
– Technical specification
– Costs

9. Cornwall Deployment (MW) ; Jul 12-May 14
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
<50kW*
50kW-5MW**

10. Cornwall Deployment (MW) ; Jul 12-May 14
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
>5MW**

11. Cornwall Total Installed Systems; Jul 12-May 14
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
<50kW*

12. Enabling Midscale Roofs
Quality - IET Technical Code of Practice
Technical working group with industry input
Led by Martin Cotterell
0kW to 50MW
To be published early 2015
Potential for installation level certification >50kW

13. Enabling Midscale Roofs
Training Courses – national reach, trialled locally
1. Code of Practice
Earthing, LV/HV, thermography, fuses, other areas of
divergence
2. Mid scale, non-domestic roofs
-roof strength, roof types, asbestos, fire hazards, wind
loading, mounting solutions, BIPV options, leases/licences,
landlord/tenant relationships, contracts, energy assessment
- Options for roll out: competent persons, CPD for building
designers, NSC qualification, Cornish testing.

14. Enabling Midscale Roofs
– Publications
-Location/building factors
-Module characteristics
-System design/ installation
-Operational factors
-Performance data
-Lesson learned
-Financial

15. Enabling Midscale Roofs
– Publications
Updated Wind load document
DG489

16. Enabling Midscale Roofs
– Publications
BRE Building 17 at HQ

17. Research
With Met Office and University of Exeter
Output A) Mapping of Solar Generation

18. Research
With Met Office and University of Exeter
Output B) Short term yield forecasting
IEA PVPS (2013) Photovoltaic and Solar
Forecasting: State of the Art

19. 5. What next for Cornwall?
§ Free independent consultancy service for end users – designs,
feasibility, procurement
§ Involvement with Energyfund Cornwall
§ Company Support – installers, agriculture, tourism, commercial
roofs
§ Overlap with “smart tech” – pilot projects & research
§ Storage development and trials
§ Opportunities to participate in test site
§ What do you think?

20. Jonny Williams
Associate Director
williamsjj@bre.co.uk
@natsolarcentre
Mob: 07733 322350
Office: 01726 871830