MCS Solar Thermal Working Group Final Minutes on 21 ST February 2017

Transcription

1 Meeting of: MCS Solar Thermal Working Group Date: 21 st February 2017 Time: Venue: pm Gemserv offices, 8 Fenchurch Place, London, EC3M 4AJ Attendees: Name Patrick Davis (PD) (Chair) Colin Meek (CM) Paul McEntee (PM) Neil Sawers (NS) Keith Horgan (KH) Imogen Jamie (IJ) Brian Kay (BK) Representing Cool Sky RECC Kingspan Environmental Ltd Grant UK Ofgem Gemserv Gemserv Apologies: Name Chris Roberts Kevin Lucas Christine Schams Stuart Elmes Martin Butcher Representing Clean Energy Consulting Travis Perkins BEIS Virdian Solar Vaillant 01/11/2018 Page 1 of 11

2 Agenda Items: No. Item Reference Led by 1. Welcome to the meeting Verbal Chair 2. Previous meeting minutes and actions STWG_ a STWG_ b MCS Administrator 3. SMG Update Verbal MCS Administrator 4. Novation Update Verbal MCS Administrator 5. Annual Inspection for in Roof Solar Thermal Panels STWG_ Chair 6. STA Verbal Chair 7. BEIS consultation response on RHI reform Verbal Chair 8. TSPEC Verbal MCS Administrator 9. AOB and date for the next meeting - TBC Verbal All 1. Welcome to the Meeting The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting and the agenda was approved. 2. Previous meeting minutes and actions The working group reviewed the minutes from the previous meeting and agreed the document to be an accurate reflection of the discussions. IJ updated the group on the ongoing actions from the previous meeting; 01/11/2018 Page 2 of 11

3 Action no. Action Status Update ACTION _01 MCS Administrator and PD to produce a paper explaining the importance of attending the IEA meetings. The Chair updated the group to say that this was passed on from BEIS to STA but felt that the MCS Administrator should raise this again with BEIS. Being part of the IEA meetings can potentially bring Global and mutual recognition for the scheme. It was also suggested that it is in the interest of product Certification Bodies to participate in the IEA meetings in order to attain industry relevance and key updates. The Chair highlighted that BS EN :2006 which is referenced in MIS 3001, has been replaced by BS EN ISO 9806:2013. He also mentioned that EN : 2006 is currently under reform. NS questioned the implementation timeline of the European Standard and whether the group should look at alternative methods taking Brexit into consideration. The Chair informed the group that manufacturers are likely to continue to work towards European and international standards. NS explained that a similar situation occurred within the Heat Pump working group where manufacturers were given a timeline in which all products had to be retested. It was recommended that the MCS Administrator discuss this with heat pump and solar thermal product CBs to see how transition of product testing is applied. Action: MCS ST_ : MCS Administrator to discuss with heat pump and solar thermal CBs about the transition of product testing when a standard is superseded. The MCS Administrator recommended that the solar thermal standards are to be reviewed by the working group and that the 01/11/2018 Page 3 of 11

4 change process will need to be followed. The Chair mentioned that ESTIF have published a product transition document. Action: MCS ST_ : PD to forward the ESTIF product transition document to the MCS Administrator to circulate to the working group. ACTION _04 MCS Administrator to put forward a change request form to the SMG outlining the inclusion of the Please refer to agenda item 3 to see an update. TSPEC at the pre-contractual stage in the standard. ACTION _05 MCS Administrator to circulate the final version of the TSPEC calculation to the group once Please refer to agenda item 8 to see an update. received. ACTION _06 MCS Administrator to contact Demigraphic to request a quote on combining the TSPEC Please refer to agenda item 8 to see an update. calculator and the compliance certificate. ACTION _07 PD to send the combined TSPEC and Compliance Certificate for IJ to put forward at the next SMG Please refer to agenda item 8 to see an update. meeting for review and approval. STWG_ If approved by the SMG; MCS Administrator to add a declaration of conformity into the Excel Please refer to agenda item 8 to see an update. version of the TSPEC. 01/11/2018 Page 4 of 11

5 3. SMG Update MCS Solar Thermal Working Group IJ informed the group that issue of 3.0 of MCS 001 (Installer Certification), issue 1.0 of MGD 001 and the Quality Management System (QMS) templates were all approved and published on the 16 th December The Experienced Workers Route (EWR) Pilot was discussed which was due to end in December 2016 but is ongoing and a further update on this will be provided shortly. The Solar Photovoltaic WG proposed the development of a battery storage guidance document or standard which has been recognised as a priority for the Scheme. IJ established that one of the main outcomes from the SMG is the approval of an update to MIS Key updates include the development of the Heat Pump System performance Estimate template which can be adapted for other heat technology systems. The heat pump compliance certificate and handover pack checklist have also been reviewed and simplified. In the meeting, it was explained that the modification to the heat pump installer standard is primarily evident where a performance estimate template contract would be provided to the customer before they sign the installation contract. A key driver for an update to the heat pump installation standard was the RECC performance estimates report which highlighted the main areas of non-compliance within heat technology installations. Following the updates, the group briefly mentioned the practicality of making the TSPEC compulsory, which is in line with RECC s recommendations. The group agreed that the subject will be discussed in more detail under agenda item Novation Update IJ explained to the group that there has been a considerable amount of progress made over the last few months with MCS novation. First and foremost, the MCS scheme and BEIS have agreed many of the outstanding areas during negotiations. Additionally, both MCS and BEIS are working together on the final points of the agreement as well as finalising the transfer of the MCS documents. The aim throughout the process is to ensure all existing standards are up to 01/11/2018 Page 5 of 11

6 date and remain publically available. IJ informed the group that that there is no finalised date for the remaining points but the teams involved are working hard to finalise them as soon as possible. KH noted that a handover would be a more appropriate title rather than novation. 5. Annual Inspection for in Roof Solar Thermal Panels The Chair introduced this item by directing the group to read the document STWG_ Annual Inspection for Roof Solar Thermal Panels enquiry received by the MCS helpdesk team. IJ notified the group that MCS has received a number of queries regarding inspections on in roof panels and how to check for leaks without removing parts of the roof. The Chair advised that a pressure loss could indicate a leak and that a solar controller could indicate a fault within the system. In observation of the document, the group agreed that the question raised by the installer and the answer provided by the Chair should be circulated to the Certification Bodies so they are aware of this information. KH questioned whether this document would need to be distributed to the SMG in order to become a commonly agreed position (CAPs) document. IJ suggested that perhaps it would better if the Certification Bodies reviewed the document first before it is directed to the SMG. IJ suggested an action will be undertaken by MCS to share the document with the CBs at the CB forum which was supported by KH. IJ expressed to the group that the circulation of this document among other organisations will be helpful in providing consistency in information provided rather than potential unreliable verbal communications which may have been provided by manufacturers. IJ welcomed any comments from the group before moving onto the next agenda item. 01/11/2018 Page 6 of 11

7 Action: MCS ST_ : The MCS Administrator to share STWG_ Annual Inspection for Roof Solar Thermal Panels with the CB forum for comment, with the potential to use as a CAP. 6. STA The Chair presented the agenda item by addressing his proposal to have the MCS Solar Thermal working group and the Solar Trade Association (STA) meetings on the same day. PD explained that the integration of the STA and the STWG would produce the maximum attendees for meetings. PD proposed a schedule for the meeting which can take place on the last day of April 2017 with the MCS meeting arranged for the morning and the STA meeting in the afternoon. PD offered to coordinate with MCS and the STA to arrange the meetings to take place on the same day. Action: MCS ST_ : The Chair to coordinate with MCS and STA to have the solar thermal working group meetings on the same day. 7. BEIS Consultation Response on RHI Reform Subject to governmental agreement, the reform identified changes to the financial incentives, in particular eliminating all support for domestic and non-domestic solar thermal installations by April PD announced to the group that there was overwhelming support in retaining the financial incentives for solar thermal installations. IJ added that the STA proposal shows 60% of respondents were in support of keeping solar thermal in the domestic RHI from At the last STWG meeting, the group noted that if the proposed reforms occur, there may be potential impacts on the MCS scheme, including low attendance in the solar thermal meetings as well as questioning the role of MCS where there is no financial incentives involved. 01/11/2018 Page 7 of 11

8 The WG suggested a strategy to mitigate any issues from April The group discussed some of the work the STA undertakes; including the lobbying of space heating and hot water (which is common in some EU markets) and how it could support solar thermal remaining as a feasible technology option in the industry. The group heard that the domestic RHI was designed with the aim to dynamically encourage an arrangement of solar thermal with other technologies. PD highlighted how the technology has progressed since the introduction of RHI and the work the STA are currently undertaking in attaining thermal storage. 8. TSPEC IJ displayed the heat pump system performance estimate template to the group and explained that the document will become mandatory for MCS heat pump installers to use and be provided to the consumers pre-contract. The Chair explained that the Solar Thermal working group feel that the TSPEC captures all the required information but they would like it to also be mandatory and provided pre-contract. IJ noted that the solar thermal installation standard would need to be updated to highlight that the TSPEC is mandatory, also the standard would need to describe what to do for a non-domestic installation. KH reminded the group that some of the core purposes of the update to MIS 3005 is providing simplification for the calculation of room by room heat loss and the predictive figure for the financial incentives rates. The group questioned the simplicity of the TSPEC by speculating whether the installer can gather the customer s details and provide a preliminary estimate over the phone rather than attending the site. KH queried whether RECC has any information on their website regarding consumer rights for onsite and offsite contract signing. CM explained to the group that information is available and perhaps it would be in the consumer s interest to have the onsite contract because the cancellation period is expected to be longer. Additionally, 01/11/2018 Page 8 of 11

9 it may be beneficial for the installer to sign the contract on site to conduct the necessary checks and avoid making any mistakes. CM suggested that it may take 6 months to produce guidance to avoid any breaches that can be made by the installer or the consumer. KH suggested that it may be useful for MCS to provide a reminder for the principles of contracts in the schemes newsletter. Action: MCS ST_ : MCS Administrator to consider circulating a reminder to installers on the principles of the consumer contract regulations in the next issue of the MCS Newsletter. IJ invited the group to provide their views or suggestions for improving the TSPEC. PD suggested that perhaps the capital cost quotation section can be improved and KH proposed a cell to notify the customer about the prices which should be in line with the RHI scheme. Other changes raised by the group included the plan to have the TSPEC aligned with the performance estimates template to give a price breakdown. KH advised the group that it may be a challenge to have these alterations actioned due to the government regulations changing in April 2017 and the modifications aligning with the RHI scheme. KH explained that a period of 6 months to prepare the proposed TSPEC changes should be expected and October 2017 will perhaps be the time these changes can be made. KH noted that the TSPEC and its combination with the compliance certificate was raised at the January 2016 SMG meeting. KH suggested that the compliance certificate can be removed from the scheme once the TSPEC becomes mandatory. KH added that the ST working group needs to be certain that the TSPEC covers every requirement of the standard and compliance certificate before the compliance certificate is replaced. 01/11/2018 Page 9 of 11

10 In regards to the compliance certificate, it was noted that a signed declaration would be sufficient. IJ clarified that a review would be required by the WG for the installer standard, TSPEC and compliance certificate. Additional changes mentioned to the group include the caution before altering settings yellow label which has now been removed for other heat technology standards. The STWG will need to consider the impact if they wish to remove the label requirements. Action: MCS ST_ : MCS Administrator to circulate the heat pump system performance estimate template to the STWG for their information. 9. AOB and date for the next meetings AOB Action 1 IJ explained to the group that the weekly product data sheet has become larger due to the changes of the standards. As a result to the alterations in the sheet, manual errors have been caused and IJ recommended that each WG should review sections and technology type of the sheet for accuracy and relevancy. Additionally, some of the questions on the data sheet are not specific and therefore open to interpretation. In order to rectify this matter, IJ recommended to circulate the data sheet to the WG so a decision can be made whether all of the current data entry points are required and if guidance could be provided as to what information is required to fill out the sheet correctly. KH suggested that the data sheet can be dispersed and reviewed among the specific WGs. IJ offered to take responsibility to circulate the sections among the relevant groups. Action: MCS ST_ : MCS Administrator to circulate the product data sheet for the working group to review. 01/11/2018 Page 10 of 11

11 AOB Action 2 IJ informed the WG that once the Quality Management System (QMS) templates were approved by the SMG; the SMG suggested that specific technology templates were developed. The MCS 001 WG and CB Forum differed to the SMG view as they believe that specific technology templates would not serve a real purpose as they would essentially just be a checkbox against the requirements of the MIS standards. IJ informed the group that MCS 001 WG proposed the handover checklist to be reviewed. The logic is that if the compliance certificate and TSPEC are going to be revised then a third review should be undertaken for the handover. IJ advised the group that it may take at least 6 months for this review to be completed. AOB Action 3 IJ expressed to the group that the MCS 001 WG would prefer if the reference materials in the MCS standard can specify whether the reader needs all or part of the document. The objective of the MCS 001 WG is to have a user friendly standard where the installers are clear whether they need to be aware of specific clauses in external standards or have access to and knowledge of standards in their entirety. It was agreed that this will be reviewed as part of the full standard review. There was no further business and the Chair closed the meeting. The next meeting dates are to be confirmed. 01/11/2018 Page 11 of 11