Information for Installers

To help to ensure quality of installations, installers under the SCHRI programme are required to be accredited. For the following technologies, SCHRI relies on the accreditation undertaken under the UK Microgeneration Certification Scheme, a scheme operating in the UK and managed on behalf of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBEER) by Building Research Establishment (BRE) Certification:

• Solar photovoltaics
• Micro hydro-electric;
• Micro wind;
• Solar water heating;
• Automated wood fuel heating systems (boilers and room heaters/stoves); and
• Ground source heat pumps.

If you are an interested in becoming an accredited installer of one or more of these technologies, you should contact BRE Certification information line on 0845 6181 514, email: microgeninstallers@bre.co.uk or access www.ukmicrogeneration.org for details of how to apply. To gain accreditation, installers need to demonstrate previous experience in the installation of the relevant technology.

Installers that were previously accredited through Clear Skies will need to re-apply for accreditation to BRE Certification.

SCHRI funds a wider range of technologies than those accredited by BRE Certification. For such technologies, the installer accreditation approval system is managed directly by EST. These technologies are:

• Solar space heating systems;
• Air source heat pumps; and
• Connections to the Lerwick District Heating system.

For an application form and guidance on how to become an accredited installer for solar space heating and air source heat pumps, please request the application form by sending an email to: accreditation@est.org.uk or call the accreditation team on 020 7222 0101.

For connections to the Lerwick District Heating system, the accreditation system operated by Shetland Heat and Power Limited will be utilised. Potential installers should contact Shetland Heat and Power Limited (phone 01595 697 111) for further information.

Commissioning statements

To claim grant SCHRI householder applicants must submit an Installation Commissioning Form which should be completed by the accredited installer on system commissioning. Grant claims can not be processed without a commissioning certificate so please ensure you supply your customers with this document as soon as possible after installation completion.

To download a Commissioning Form, click on the relevant link/s.

• Solar Water Heating
• Small-scale Wind
• Small-scale Hydro
• Heat Pumps (ground, water and air source)
• Automated Wood Pellet Stove
• Automated Wood fuelled Boilers
• Lerwick District Heating Scheme

Training

Training is not currently a route to accreditation in itself and installers will need to have completed at least one installation for the relevant technology that they are applying for.

The training courses currently available are:

Solar Thermal - a 4 day training course covering the design and installation of solar thermal systems has been developed and approved by BPEC. Inverness College will soon be offering this course, with the first course expected to be run sometime in the summer. The College is also investigating provision of training in other technologies such as heat pumps and wind turbines - further details will be posted here when they become available.

Solar Photovoltaics - a 5 day training course has been developed by IT Power, CREST, TNEI and ISPQ with the support of The Carbon Trust and STREEM (Skills Training for Renewable Energy and Energy Management). Several UK colleges and training organisations are now delivering this nationally recognised grid-connected PV installation course, City & Guilds course 2372. For more information, click here.

Further information about training courses will be added here as it becomes available. Training providers are invited to submit details about any training courses relevant to the SCHRI - please phone the SCHRI Management Team on 0131 555 7900.

Whilst not a substitute for training programme, a wind installer's guide has been produced by the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme. The guide titled "Installing small wind-powered electricity generating systems (CE72)" aims to provide system designers and installers with sufficient information to ensure that small wind energy systems comply with current UK standards and with industry Best Practice. Click here to download it or call 0845 120 7799 to order a free copy.

Additional information

Installer accreditation update 27 July 2007