In April we held a well-attended gathering at Kew Gardens to launch our Biodiversity Guide for solar developments; hot on the heels of our Planning Guide for solar farms. These two documents are free to download (www.bre.co.uk/nsc). BRE is also about to release a new version of the widely-used guide to simplified wind loading calculations for solar panels on roofs (DG489) and a guide to the safe selection and use of DC isolators. A guide to the performance of PV systems on non-domestic buildings was published last year. The NSC website upgrade will be completed over the next few weeks and we will then be able to offer all of these and other key solar publications from one place.
Aside from publications, the test site for side-by-side comparison of solar panels and inverters is due to be constructed at the Eden Project site during the summer and we are currently signing contracts with manufacturers who are keen to prove the performance and quality of their products.
These initiatives, as well as our consultancy services, such as independent inspections and fault diagnoses, are all aimed at supporting the emerging solar market by providing solid, unbiased information for installers, developers, financiers, distributors and end users.