RES certification for photovoltaic panels

Growing environmental awareness means we increasingly choose eco-friendly solutions. The “eco trend” has reached almost every industry sector, as well as private individuals. Manufacturers of photovoltaic panels and of the broader range of equipment enabling their reliable operation compete to present improvements that generate electricity from the sun more efficiently. The state and local authorities encourage investment in RES, among other things through subsidies that make it easier to finance installations, and through marketing that promotes pro-environmental solutions. Rising environmental awareness supports RES projects in both households and businesses. Owning photovoltaic panels also signals innovativeness and alignment with eco trends on the part of the investor.

Photovoltaic panels – the future of the energy sector

As a result of this trend, demand for photovoltaic solutions continues to grow. Growing demand translates into a supply of equipment and solutions that generate electricity more efficiently. Photovoltaic panels help reduce electricity bills; it is even possible to size a PV installation so that the net cost is reduced almost to zero. Over the years, photovoltaic panels have evolved from devices powering small office equipment such as calculators into systems capable of producing the electricity needed for an entire household. Electricity generated from solar radiation also appeals to people who want to escape civilisation and have a retreat far from large agglomerations, in places that electricity distributors have forgotten and are unwilling to supply with distribution infrastructure. For such people, photovoltaic panels make it possible, at relatively modest cost, to enjoy amenities that require electricity; implementing such an installation in a summer house requires only PV panels, an inverter, a charge controller, a battery and an appropriate set of cables. You will agree that this solution may prove far better than years of correspondence with the power utility to bring a distribution network to the property. The above issues, and many others, confront the investor with a question that seems simple but is very important and difficult: how to choose the right professional.

RES certification – confirmation of the installer’s competence

Growing interest in heat pumps has brought many companies onto the market offering selection and installation of the equipment described. Lack of knowledge of operating principles and disregard for manufacturer recommendations mean that pseudo-installers propose solutions that, in the longer term, may prove not only inefficient but downright dangerous to health and life – incorrect panel mounting, poorly selected cables that can lead to fire, inadequate protection on both the AC and DC sides, and many other incorrect and, above all, dangerous techniques used by so-called “professionals”. How can one protect oneself against such incompetent tradespeople or other scammers? How can one verify a fitter’s competence? A reliable confirmation of competence in the installation and servicing of photovoltaic panels is the certificate of authorised photovoltaic panel fitter issued by the Office of Technical Inspection (UDT). RES qualifications for photovoltaic panels confirm installers’ competence and qualifications. They are also a strong card when recruiting new staff – an employer hiring a person with a RES certificate can be confident of having chosen someone who can handle the most complex equipment selection and installation problems, because they have the appropriate knowledge of the operation and installation of photovoltaic panels. It is also worth noting that holding a certificate confirming competence is often a basic criterion when choosing a contractor for installation work in both public and private contracts. Investors are more willing to work with companies that can document the competence of their staff.

What to do to obtain a RES certificate?

As already mentioned, RES qualifications for photovoltaic panel installation confirm the fitter’s qualifications. The requirement to hold them stems from the Act of 20 February 2015 on renewable energy sources. Under the Act, an installer may apply to the President of the Office of Technical Inspection for a document confirming qualifications to install photovoltaic panels. Under the Act, the installer may obtain a RES certificate if they hold:

• a diploma confirming professional qualifications in the occupation of technician of renewable energy devices and systems, or
• a diploma of completion of higher education in a field or specialisation covering renewable energy installations or sanitary, power engineering, heating, refrigeration, thermal and air-conditioning or electrical equipment and installations

provided they have full legal capacity, enjoy full public rights and have not been convicted by a final court judgment of an intentional offence against the credibility of documents or against economic turnover. For persons who do not hold the diplomas described above, it is necessary to complete training at a training centre and pass an examination before an examination board of the Office of Technical Inspection. Basic training may be completed at a centre accredited by UDT. The conditions for granting accreditation are set out in the Regulation of the Minister of Energy of 9 May 2017 on detailed conditions for granting accreditation to organisers of training in renewable energy sources and of training and examinations for persons applying for the issue or extension of a certificate. Under the Regulation, a centre wishing to meet the requirements necessary to obtain accreditation must fulfil specified conditions; among other things it must:

• have procedures for registering training participants and documenting the course of training together with assessment of its effectiveness,
• have appropriate premises and equipment,
• have a suitably qualified person delivering the training.

A list of accredited training organisers can be found on the website of the Office of Technical Inspection.

Where to take the appropriate training to obtain a RES certificate?

Central Refrigeration Centre “COCH” in Kraków invites you to take the training required for persons applying for a RES certificate for photovoltaic panels. Our qualified staff will provide theoretical and practical knowledge of good installation and operating practice for the equipment described. Knowledge gained during the training cycle will help you prepare for the examination conducted by the Office of Technical Inspection and will be useful in professional work installing and servicing photovoltaic panels. Given the expanding eco trends, knowledge of how photovoltaic panels work can also prove useful in business and social meetings, making us perceived as environmentally aware people with broad technical knowledge. During the training you will not only acquire dry theoretical knowledge; you will also have contact with people who work continuously with photovoltaic panels, operate real units and are keen to share “real-life” information with you. We also note that Central Refrigeration Centre “COCH” in Kraków runs many other interesting and useful courses, including:

• Training enabling you to obtain a certificate as an authorised heat pump installation fitter (RES)
• Training enabling you to obtain F-gas qualifications
• Training in automotive air conditioning

The courses mentioned are only a fraction of those offered by our centre. An individual approach to each client and many years of experience in the refrigeration and RES sectors allow us to provide comprehensive solutions to the problems you bring to us. We invite you to get in touch; for our part we promise both advice on the best sequence of courses so that you take away as much useful information as possible, and well-equipped teaching stands together with a substantive teaching staff eager to share knowledge. We encourage you to review the full training offer on the website of Central Refrigeration Centre “COCH” in Kraków or to contact us by e-mail and telephone. Thank you for reading this article and we warmly invite you to cooperate with us.

Author: Andrzej Chmaj

Sources:

• Act of 20 February 2015 on renewable energy sources (Journal of Laws 2015, item 478)
• Regulation of the Minister of Energy of 9 May 2017 on detailed conditions for granting accreditation to organisers of training in renewable energy sources and of training and examinations for persons applying for the issue or extension of a certificate (Journal of Laws 2017, item 1034)
• www.udt.gov.pl