ELECSA, the Government authorised no-nonsense scheme for Part P of the building regulations announced today that it has formed a partnership with WM Certification to deliver a public schedule course for the installation of domestic Wind Turbines. With continual increases in electricity bills and Britain having the most consistent wind in Europe, a domestic wind turbine represents a real sustainable, eco-friendly option compared to energy derived from fossil fuels. For homeowners, domestic wind turbines offers them the ability to take part in delivering green energy direct to their home while contributing to the reduction of CO2 emissions and savings off their average annual UK electricity bill.

Property owners can apply for grants for domestic wind turbines from the energy saving Trust and some local authorities are willing to top this up.

With wind turbines currently falling under the scope of Part P, ELECSA and WM Training have jointly developed a recognised training course and qualification for domestic wind turbine installation which meets the industry standards set for Part P self certification.

Successful candidates are awarded 'EL4001- electrical installation of domestic wind powered small scale embedded generators' which is jointly certified by ELECSA and WM Certification.

The five day course of the Installation of Wind Turbines which covers the electrical installation, testing and certification of the turbine and inverter and ensures that trainees are able to install correctly and to the standards set down by the 16th Edition Regulations and Part P.

All fixed electrical installations such as wind turbine installations and alteration work that has been carried out must be certified as complying with Part P of the Building Regulations.

Legally, it is the responsibility of the homeowner to prove compliance which can be demonstrated in two ways:.

- Obtain approval from the relevant local authority and pay for an inspection visit to have them confirm that the electrical installation has approval under Part P the Building Regulations.

- Have the work undertaken by an electrician/tradesman who is registered with a Government authorised Competent Person scheme such as ELECSA.

This means that when property owners install a domestic wind turbine using an ELECSA registered business who has undertaken WM Training's Wind Turbine Installation course, ELECSA will notify the relevant Local Authority and issue a householder certificate which can be used as legal evidence that the wind turbine installation has been self certified as complying with Part P of the Building Regulations and that the appropriate Local Authority has been notified.

This is vital since when the time comes to selling a property, the purchaser's solicitor, while undertaking the necessary searches for building work notices, will ask for evidence that any electrical work installed after 1 January 2005 complies with Part P of the Building Regulations.

Commenting on this development Julian Carter, General Manager, ELECSA, said 'We are pleased to be working with WM Certification, a leader in electrical training courses to make life easier for electricians wanting to self certify under Part P.

ELECSA is proud to be at the forefront for Part P and the training of renewable energy which is becoming increasingly important as a means of reducing carbon emissions to support the Government's goal of reducing the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by the year 2050'.