Solar PV instantly improves your BER

What is a Building Energy Rating?

A Building Energy Rating (BER) is similar to the energy label on your fridge with a scale of A-G. A-rated homes are the most energy efficient and G the least efficient. A certificate stating the property's Building Energy Rating must be provided to prospective buyers or tenants when a home is constructed, sold, or rented under the following circumstances:

• New homes where planning permission was applied for on or after 1st January 2007
• All homes for sale or rent on or after 1st January 2009
• In effect, BER certificates will be compulsory for almost all new homes by mid-2008.

How does solar PV improve my BER?

Approximately 2.7 kWh of primary energy is required (by a power station) to generate and deliver 1 kWh of conventional (grid) electrical to your property. However, every 1 kWp of high-efficiency properly orientated solar PV installed at your property generates and delivers approximately 1000 kWh of renewable electricity per year. This is used directly in your home, therefore reducing your need for grid electricity by 1000 kWh per year, and therefore primary energy by approximately 2700 kWh per year.

By reducing the kWh of primary energy your property needs, solar PV improves its BER, so will increase your home's sale-ability and value.

For example:

• A 60m2 dwelling with no renewable energy source that consumes 102 kWh of primary energy per m2 of floor area per year will get a BER of B2. Adding a 1 kWp solar PV system will automatically improve the BER to A3.
• For any 60m2 dwelling, adding a 1kWp solar PV system will improve a rating of C1 to B2; B3 to B1; B2 to A3; B1 to A2 and A3 to A1.

In other words, Solar PV is the easiest way to improve your property's Building Energy Rating (BER), value and sale-ability.

Read our 2-page brochure for the latest information on how solar PV will improve your Building Energy Rating (BER) (PDF, 224KB)