Are You Ready to Test Renewable Systems?
The UK’s commitment to Net Zero by 2050 is reshaping the electrical landscape — and fast. For low-voltage electricians and contractors, this means more than policy changes. It means an overhaul of how systems are designed, installed, and maintained — and a growing demand for those who know how to safely test renewable systems safely, accurately, and in line with evolving standards.
In 2024, the UK added over 191,000 solar PV systems and installed more than 73,000 public EV charging points—a clear sign that electrification isn’t coming; it’s already here. Every installation needs to be tested safely, accurately, and in full compliance with the latest standards.
What’s Driving the Change?
“In 2024, the UK added over 191,000 new solar PV systems and more than 73,000 public EV charging points. That’s more than 500 new energy systems installed every single day — each one requiring compliant, accurate testing.”
Governments worldwide are introducing carbon-reduction strategies that heavily rely on electrification. In the UK, the Net Zero strategy mandates phasing out fossil fuels and large-scale investment in green infrastructure.
That’s why we’re seeing rapid growth in:
- Residential and commercial solar installations
- Home and grid-scale battery systems
- Electric vehicle infrastructure
- Smart home and energy management systems
Each of these technologies demands rigorous, up-to-date testing. And the standards that govern them? They’re evolving rapidly to keep pace.
What This Means on Site
Modern installations are no longer simple radial circuits and consumer units. Today’s low-voltage systems are hybrid, interconnected, and increasingly digital.
Electricians now face:
- Two-way energy flow (e.g. solar → grid)
- Combined earth systems for EV chargepoints
- Integrated battery and load balancing technologies
- Smart devices that affect electrical characteristics of installations
This adds complexity to every part of the job, especially testing. A loop impedance test on a circuit with a solar inverter or EV charger isn’t always straightforward. The same goes for insulation testing across systems that include smart switching or battery backup.
Are Your Tools and Knowledge Up to Date?
To test these systems properly, your test equipment needs to be:
- Safe for use on complex hybrid installations
- Compatible with modern protection devices and smart systems
- Designed to handle new RCD types, voltage fluctuations, and multiple sources
And you need to know exactly what’s expected from a compliance standpoint, especially with the most recent updates in the 18th Edition.
If your test methods are outdated or your kit can’t handle EVs or solar systems, it’s not just a missed opportunity—it could be a liability.
Why It Matters for Your Business
Renewable work is growing — and so is the demand for qualified electricians who can do it properly. If you can’t demonstrate compliance, you’ll fall behind competitors who can.
You’ll also miss out on:
- Government-funded retrofit and green energy projects
- Private contracts requiring certified testing and documentation
- Long-term maintenance opportunities for evolving systems
The message is simple: If you want to stay relevant, you need to stay ready.
What You Can Do Today
Here’s how to stay ahead as renewables reshape the sector:
- Review your tester: Can it handle EV testing, smart loads, and hybrid systems?
- Revisit the regs: Are you confident in Amendment 2 and 3’s changes for renewables?
- Refresh your knowledge: Are you (and your team) trained on solar, battery, and EV setups?
- Go digital: Are your reports consistent, shareable, and regulation-ready?
If the answer is ‘no’ to any of these, it’s time for a reset.
Get the Guide: What’s New in the 18th Edition
Stay compliant. Stay competitive.
Download our free 5-minute guide covering what changed in the latest edition — including what you need to know for EV, solar, and battery testing.
Hear It from the Industry
Want insight from the field?
Watch our short interview with Simon Wood, Global Industry Director for Low Voltage, as he explains how Net Zero is driving change across the industry.
