The reliability of Solar photovoltaic installations in the UK is set to improve even further with the launch of a new PV guide and improved standard for the industry.

The new solar PV guide and updated MIS 3002 standard were launched on Friday 8^th February 2013 and its aim is to raise the standard of Solar PV installations in the UK and provide more accurate performance estimates of Solar systems for customers.

It will be the third revision to the ‘Guide to Installation of Photovoltaic Systems’ and is the culmination of two years of work to bring it up to speed with newer technologies and the fast-paced changes in the solar sector. Changes in the guide will become mandatory under the Micro-generation Certification Scheme (MCS), the Government’s standards body for micro-generation technologies used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources.

Launching the guide, Climate Change Minister Greg Barker, said: “This should become the ‘go-to’ guide for PV system installers. Its widespread use will improve the reliability of installations, increase customer confidence in PV and help us all benefit from quality focused engineering solutions.”

Better performance estimates

One of the key changes in the guide concerns the estimated performance of Solar PV installations. Previously, the performance of a Solar array was calculated on a single geographic location in Sheffield and did not accurately take into account the orientation and pitch of a roof. Going forward, estimates will be given based on regions and installers will be able to consult a new data sheet on radiance based on the exact pitch and orientation of a roof.

The new guide also introduces a more sophisticated means of calculating shade, revises wind uplift calculations, and bans drilling into slate roofs in most cases.

The new guide becomes mandatory from May 7 2013, but installers can start working from it immediately.