Solar Latest News Round-Up Issue 10
Issue 10 of our Solar News Round-Up - A bulletin that contains the latest Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Testing news has now been published.
Renewable interest is growing
Electrical contractors are turning to the renewables sector in increasing numbers, according to the latest industry survey...
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Bright future for solar says report
Consultancy firm McKinsey has published a new report on solar PV technology that says that solar PV will reach grid-parity with coal and nuclear as soon as 2020...
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Free hands-on solar PV system electrical test training
Solar PV test specialist Seaward Solar is hosting a series of free hands-on training courses across the country to help installers to fully understand the electrical testing requirements of solar PV systems...
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Solar PV fire highlights dangers
After dealing with what is thought to be Britain’s first solar panel fire, Kent firefighters are teaching other brigades how to tackle solar panel blazes...
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New Solarlink PV test kit has datalogging capabilities
The latest solar PV electrical installation test kit from Seaward Solar enables contractors to meet the requirements of MCS MIS 3002, quickly, thoroughly and effectively...
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Green light for Green Deal providers
A major step forward in implementing the Green Deal was achieved when the government announced the first 22 organisations to become Green Deal Providers...
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Falling solar PV installations
The latest solar PV installation figures from the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) show falling registrations for the feed-in tariff scheme...
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Queen’s Award for Seaward
The Seaward Group has won a Queen’s Award for its specialist electrical safety testing equipment...
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New Solarlink PV Test Kit Has Datalogging Capabilities
The latest solar PV test kit from Seaward Solar enables contractors to meet international electrical commissioning and system safety requirements quickly, thoroughly and effectively.
The new Solarlink Test Kit includes all the necessary test equipment and datalogging capabilities needed to perform pre-installation site surveys and measure the electrical safety and performance of PV systems in line with IEC 62446.
The kit combines the comprehensive electrical commissioning test capabilities of the new PV150 solar installation handheld tester with the advanced Solar Survey 200R multifunction PV survey meter.
Special wireless Solarlink connectivity between the two instruments enables real-time irradiance to be displayed and measured at the same time as electrical testing is being undertaken. This means that irradiance, module and ambient temperature can be recorded in real time within the PV150 as the electrical tests are conducted.
Once testing is completed, the USB download of time and date stamped test results, irradiance and temperature measurements provides full traceability and speeds up the completion of PV system documentation and customer handover packs.
In addition to solar PV system installation and commissioning, the new Solarlink Test Kit is ideal for conducting site surveys of potential installations, by quickly providing the information needed to calculate estimated annual solar irradiation and system yields of PV and solar thermal systems, as described in SAP 2009, Appendices H and M.
As well as the PV150 and the Solar Survey 200R and associated calibration certificates, the comprehensive kit includes an AC/DC current clamp, MC4 and Sunclix test lead adaptors and test probes – with a quick start instruction guide and video.
Visit the SolarLink Photovoltaic Test Kit product page for more information or request a quote.
Solar Latest News Round-Up Issue 9
Issue 9 of our Solar News Round-Up - A bulletin that contains the latest Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Testing news has now been published.
FIT Q&As and court decision
The Supreme Court has now rejected the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) appeal over premature cuts to the feed-in tariff scheme for solar photovoltaics. A panel of Supreme Justices refused Government leave to appeal an earlier High Court ruling that the cuts were unlawful. This means that all systems installed between December 12...
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New MCS Solarlink™ kit
The latest solar PV electrical installation test kit from Seaward Solar enables contractors to meet the requirements of MCS MIS 3002, quickly, thoroughly and effectively. The new MCS Solarlink™ Test Kit includes all the necessary test equipment and datalogging capabilities needed to perform pre-installation site surveys and measure the electrical safety and performance of PV systems...
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Green Deal Assessors
The government has announced that £3.5 million has been earmarked to support the training of qualified staff to support the Green Deal energy efficiency financing scheme. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is to provide £3m alongside a further £500,000 from the CITB-Construction Skills body to fund the training of 1,000 Green Deal assessors...
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Make solar PV compulsory says MP
Conservative MP, John Stevenson, believes that it should be compulsory to fit solar panels to all new homes built in the UK. The MP for Carlisle has called on ministers from the Department of Communities and Local Government to make solar panels a mandatory requirement for all new builds as part of building regulations...
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Seaward at Solar UK Conference
The second Solar UK Conference will take place in London on 25th April under the theme of ‘making the FiT work’. This year’s extended event includes installer sessions and a networking event, The Solar UK Industry Awards - the only UK Awards to recognise and reward success and innovation in the lab and in the field...
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New Kit Meets MCS Solar PV Test Needs
Seaward Solar has expanded its range of specialist test equipment for solar PV installation work with a new kit that provides the complete solution to MCS electrical testing needs.
The new all inclusive MCS Test Kit from Seaward Solar enables all installers to meet the electrical test requirements of MCS and BS EN 62446 quickly, easily and safely.
Traditionally, PV installers have brought together various test instruments in order to complete the solar system commissioning tests required by MCS.
Now, the new test kit from Seaward makes the choice of system testing equipment much simpler by combining the multi function PV100 electrical tester with the Solar Survey 100 irradiance meter, a clamp meter and supporting accessories.
The rugged and robust PV100 tester is hand held and battery operated for maximum portability. With the push of a single button the required sequence of electrical tests is carried automatically in a safe and controlled manner, avoiding the risk of contact with exposed live DC conductors.
The tester also has inbuilt memory for the storage of up to nine datasets for use in test reports. Voltage and current results are also compared by the tester to check that they are within 5% of each other; another requirement of IEC 62446.
The Solar Survey 100 multifunction irradiance meter is also included in the new MCS kit. This instrument uses a reference cell to make accurate irradiance measurements and also features dual temperature measurement, orientation and inclination measurement.
These special features enable the user to quickly identify the location where maximum levels of solar power can be collected and accurately measure irradiance, roof pitch, orientation and both ambient air and PV module temperature.
Completing the new MCS kit is an AC/DC current clamp, test probes‚ alligator clips, Sunclix and MC4 adaptor leads.
To support this all inclusive test package, also available is a complete range of Seaward Solar inspection test report and certificate documentation packs and the Seaward Solar Cert Elements PC software package for the automatic compilation of all PV test documentation and client system handover packs
Read more about the Solar MCS Test Kit.
Solar Latest News Round-Up Issue 8
Issue 8 of our Solar News Round-Up - A bulletin that contains the latest Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Testing news has now been published.
More food for thought on FiTs
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has published its response to the controversial Phase 1 consultation on solar PV feed-in tariffs...
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See new Seaward MCS test kit at Ecobuild – Stand N2772
At this year’s Ecobuild show, Seaward Solar is launching a new solar PV test kit that provides the complete solution to MCS electrical testing needs...
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Solar UK Conference
The second SOLAR UK Conference will take place in London on 25th April under the theme of ‘making the FiT work’...
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Meter made for PV
Solar PV installation company, Groombridge Solar of Deal in Kent, recently put the Seaward Solar PV100 through its paces for an exclusive product review in Professional Electrician magazine...
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Coping with the cuts roadshows
Seaward at Ecobuild, London, UK - March 2012
Ecobuild 2012
Seaward Solar Stand: N2772
Seaward Solar can draw on over 75 years experience in electrical safety testing technology to ensure that solar PV installers meet all international safety and technical standards.
For all involved with solar PV installation, rigorous testing and reporting is crucial to ensure maximum ROI, optimum conversion of solar energy and important operator safety for the lifetime of the array.
Seaward Solar’s unique range of test equipment and accessories meets these needs by providing a total solution for solar PV installation and testing.
New for Ecobuild, Seaward is introducing an all inclusive MCS Test Kit to enable all installers to meet the electrical test requirements of MCS and BS EN 62446 quickly, easily and safely.
Traditionally, PV installers have brought together various test instruments in order to complete the solar system commissioning tests required by MCS.
Now, the new test kit from Seaward makes the choice of system testing equipment much simpler by combining the multi function PV100 electrical tester with the Solar Survey 100 irradiance meter, a clamp meter and supporting accessories.
In addition to the new test kit, Seaward also supplies the Solar Survey 200 irradiance meter, which has the added benefit of a large internal memory and real-time clock for data logging purposes,
Also available is the Solar Power Clamp which enables power measurement and analysis on AC and DC systems for diagnostic checks.
In addition to these instruments, solar PV test documentation and information for client handover packs can be completed quickly by either the Seaward Solar Cert Elements software package or with the special Seaward Solar inspection test report and certificate documentation packs.
Solar Latest News Round-Up Issue 7
Issue 7 of our Solar News Round-Up - A bulletin that contains the latest Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Testing news has now been published.
FiTs still uncertain
The Court of Appeal has determined that the proposal to reduce tariff rates for systems fitted after December 12, 2011 is illegal. The court judgement was initially interpreted as meaning all those who have installed...
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Italy heads solar PV league table
Italy has overtaken Germany as the world’s top solar PV market. Although final solar PV installation figures for 2011 have yet to be confirmed...
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The untapped potential of solar energy
In 90 minutes, enough sunlight strikes the earth to provide the entire planet´s energy needs for one year. So says a new publication, Solar Energy Perspectives...
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New Seaward solar power clamp for PV power analysis
A highly versatile new AC/DC clamp meter has been introduced for effective power measurement and diagnostic testing of solar PV systems...
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Solar Latest News Round-Up December 2011
The December issue of our Solar News Round-Up - A bulletin that contains the latest Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Testing news has now been published.
Rush to meet FiT deadline
Figures released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) showed that November accounted for 30% of the solar PV systems installed during 2011. The weekly figures show that the number of solar PV installations completed from November 20–27 totalled 11,395 with 10,998 of those being <4kW systems...
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Seaward at Ecobuild
Seaward Solar will be exhibiting at this year’s Ecobuild Show being held at the ExCel centre in London from 20th to 22nd March. Visitor to stand N2772 can see for themselves the latest in electrical safety testing technology for solar PV applications...
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Green Deal funding
The Government has announced the approval of £200m to be used as an incentive for the public to pick up the Green Deal scheme when it is available for homeowners in October 2012. While the primary goal of the Green Deal scheme is to increase energy efficiency of UK homes and business buildings to reduce the carbon emissions associated with...
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PV100 comes with UKAS certification
Due to further improvements to the Seaward UKAS schedule (Laboratory No. 0809) we are now able to provide UKAS certification with all Seaward Solar PV100 testers. The UKAS certification applies to new products and those returned for calibration and provide confirmation of test accuracy through Seaward’s comprehensive UKAS accredited test regime...
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DECC’s revised budget adds £197 million to spending cap
DECC have quietly increased the spending envelope for the feed-in tariff budget by £197million over the next 4 years. This revised figure reflects a reclassification of larger-scale schemes that have elected to receive feed-in tariff rather than the RO...
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Solar Latest News Round-Up November 2011
The November issue of our Solar News Round-Up - A bulletin that contains the latest Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Testing news has now been published.
FiT for purpose?
In recent weeks solar PV industry news has been dominated by Government plans to reduce the Feed in Tariff (FiT). The proposal – still subject to consultation...
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REA & STA solar industry survey
In the wake of the DECC FiT review, the Renewable Energy Association and Solar Trade Association carried out an immediate industry survey answered by 139 solar companies to identify the likely impact of the proposed cuts on the UK industry...
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New irradiance meter is the ultimate solar site survey tool
A new high specification instrument combines irradiance measurement with a host of other features to enable solar PV and solar thermal contractors carry out site surveys quickly and easily...
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Renewables the key for future of electrical contracting
The NICEIC and the ECA have jointly produced their ‘2021 Vision: The Future of the Electrical Contracting Industry’ which points to the growing opportunities in renewable energy and sustainable developments...
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New solar PV system documentation packs
Comprehensive solar inspection test report and certificate documentation packs from Seaward Solar make it easy for installers of solar PV systems to complete the necessary test reports in compliance with the...
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New ECA renewables forum
The Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) has launched an e-forum for mechanical and electrical contractors who want to keep up to date and share their questions and expertise in the area of microgeneration and renewables...
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RHI & Green Deal programmes
New Multi-Function Irradiance Meter
The latest addition to the Seaward Solar test range is a multi-function irradiance meter.
The highly versatile Seaward Solar Survey 100 incorporates a precision PV cell sensor alongside a digital compass, digital tilt meter and high accuracy dual channel thermometer.
As a result this new product is designed for everyday use by solar PV panel contractors and solar thermal installers to carry out site surveys professionally and quickly.
As well as providing highly accurate irradiance readings in either Wm-2 or BTU/h/ft2, the ability to determine roof pitch, site orientation and and both air and PV module temperatures, means that optimum locations for PV panel installation can be identified easily.
The compact and robust Solar Survey 100 is battery powered and has a display hold feature allowing site readings to be taken in even the most difficult locations.
As such it is an indispensable tool for all involved in solar installation work.