This year has seen strong growth in solar PV, battery storage and electric vehicle adoption. It’s time we changed our perception of these technologies and acknowledged their place as ‘the norm’, says Griff Thomas, Managing Director of GTEC.
Small-scale electricity generating technologies have had a record-breaking year in 2023. We’ve seen unprecedented adoption of solar photovoltaics with installations exceeding the introduction of the Feed-in-Tariff for the first time. One-in-four systems across Europe also include battery storage and, in the UK, installations are rising month-on-month.
Over the past decade, solar PV has become fairly mainstream – more than 1.3 million homes currently benefit from on the roof panels. The last few years has seen a particular boom with installations figures rising by 114% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year and 120,000 installations in the first 6 months.
Dramatic reductions in hardware costs combined with rising electricity bills means ROI is quick, making PV a sound and affordable investment while stimulating the growth of connected systems, such as energy storage and electric vehicle charging systems.
While not as widespread as solar PV, demand is growing for electrical energy storage systems (EESS), which, alongside photovoltaics, promises the best returns as consumers can use more of their self-generated energy. Batteries can also be charged when energy is cheapest, regardless of solar panels.
What was once the reserve of eco crusaders has now become a mainstream approach that many people benefit from and understand – can we still say that these technologies are ‘alternative’ and is it helpful to do so?
Are we doubling up on competency?
Low carbon technologies benefit from regulatory changes and government funding to secure supply chains and incentivise uptake. However, there hasn’t been any significant funding for solar PV since the end of the FiT scheme in 2019. Since then, the market has grown exponentially and is thriving on its own merits, independent of subsidies.
Yet despite this lack of funding, electricians are still required to jump through the MCS hoop if their customer want to sell excess energy back to the grid. Importantly for electrical installers, solar PV is included in the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations, which means all electricians are made aware of its safety considerations. Solar PV installer training – of which 18th Edition is a pre-requisite – covers SEG paperwork, including registration with District Network Operator (DNO).
Surely now, in an established marketplace, this is enough? You don’t have to hoop jump to fit other electrical appliances, so why PV?
Things are changing
It is arguable that strict adherence to MCS certification might have hindered market growth and innovation by limiting entry to only a select group of certified installers, however, there is evidence that this could be changing. Octopus Energy recently changed its terms to allow consumers to access its SEG without MCS certification for systems that have been self-declared as compliant by installers.
By removing unnecessary barriers and simplifying access to attractive tariffs, we can enable more electrical contractors to upskill to solar PV, while maintaining the integrity and efficiency of this valuable and highly sought after low-carbon technology.
Find out more about GTEC here
