The Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources Regulations 2011

Duty to ensure certification or qualification schemes are established and to make information available

12.—(1) The responsible authority must ensure that certification or qualification schemes are established by 31st December 2012 for installers of the equipment specified in paragraph (2).

(2) The equipment specified in this paragraph is small scale—

(a) biomass boilers;

(b) biomass stoves;

(c) solar photovoltaic systems;

(d) solar thermal systems;

(e) shallow geothermal systems; and

(f) heat pumps.

(3) In relation to the duty in paragraph (1)—

(a) the certification or qualification schemes may take into account schemes and structures established before these Regulations come into force; and

(b) the certification or qualification schemes must be based on the criteria set out in Annex 4 to the Directive.

(4) The responsible authority must make available to the public such information with respect to the schemes established in accordance with this regulation as the responsible authority considers appropriate.

(5) For the purpose of paragraph (2), equipment is small scale if the capacity of the equipment to generate electricity or (as the case may be) to produce heat does not exceed the capacity mentioned in paragraph (6).

(6) That capacity is—

(a) in relation to the generation of electricity, 50 kilowatts;

(b) in relation to the production of heat, 45 kilowatts thermal.

(7) In this regulation “responsible authority” means—

(a) in relation to England and Wales, the Secretary of State;

(b) in relation to Northern Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment.