Qualit’EnR - Association for Quality of Renewable Energy

Created by five professional entities (CAPEB, Enerplan, UCF-FFB, UNCP-FFB and SER), Qualit’EnR has been the body for the installation quality of renewable energy systems since 2006.

Qualit’EnR aims at helping consumers to find a skilled professional able to provide advice and install a renewable energy system in their house.

That is why Qualit’EnR manages four quality schemes :

• Qualisol for solar thermal (solar domestic hot water systems and combined solar systems),

• QualiPV for solar photovoltaic (grid-connected photovoltaic generators),

• Qualibois for bioenergy (stoves, boilers and inserts),

• QualiPAC for aerothermal and geothermal energy (heat pumps).

These schemes gather more than 13 000 companies.

Qualisol, QualiPV, Qualibois et QualiPAC - Four quality labels managed by Qualit’EnR

A goal

Obtain recognition for independent companies skilled in renewable energy system installation.

• Promote renewable energy installation best practices.

• Develop related services such as consulting, after-sales service, and maintenance.

• Help individual customers choose a competent, professional installer with confidence.

The Qualisol, QualiPV, Qualibois and QualiPAC quality labels are:

• Approved by ADEME and local authorities.

• Recommended by Espace Info Energie information centres.

• Used by professional organizations (CAPEB, FFB, etc.) and industry manufacturers.

• Supported by energy operators (EDF, GDF Suez, Primagaz).

• Frequently cited by the media as a mark of quality for consumers.

A commitment to quality

Installers wishing to display a quality label must commit to a quality charter and meet the acceptance criteria.

Recognised skills

The Qualisol, QualiPV, Qualibois and QualiPAC labels help draw attention to companies skilled in renewable energy system installation. Applicant companies must demonstrate the following:

• The company’s activities include installing relevant renewable energy systems.

• It has the required insurance for the activities and installations performed: general and decennial liability insurance.

• At least one “reference” person in the company has significant installation experience or has completed Qualit’EnR-recognised training.

A three-year commitment

During its three-year membership period, the company using the label undertakes to:

• Have one of its installed systems audited by Qualit’EnR.

• Install a minimum number of systems.

Since Qualisol, QualiPV and Qualibois labels are delivered for a specific year, companies must renew their subscription each year in order to retain its label or labels.
 

A 10-point charter

The applicant company must undertake to uphold the ten points of the quality label’s charter. An overview:

1. Ensure that the required professional skills are available in-house. Be up-to-date with social security contributions and tax payments and provide the legal warranties required for the activities and installations performed.

2. Recommend equipment that complies with regulations in force (standards, technical opinions or EC mark) and best meets the customer’s needs.

3. Advise customers and help them choose the solutions that best meet their needs.

4. Following a property survey, provide the customer with a complete, descriptive estimate in writing for the proposed installation.

5. Inform customers regarding administrative requirements, such as submitting notifications prior to the installation or qualifying for available state aid.

6. Complete the installation in compliance with the customer’s order and best practice.

7. Calibrate and start the installed system. Give the customer the technical installation and user’s manuals for the equipment.

8. Give the customer a complete, detailed invoice for the service provided as well as any statement the customer needs to claim applicable aid or tax incentives.

9. In the event of incidents involving the operation of the installed equipment, respond rapidly and perform the required verifications and repairs.

10. Facilitate any verification or audit that Qualit’EnR may wish to perform of installed systems.

You can find the complete charters (French version):

• Qualisol

• QualiPV

• Qualibois

• QualiPAC

Benefits

All installers that have obtained the label receive the following benefits:

• Listing on the web portal: www.qualit-enr.org,

• Free technical assistance

• Advertising and communications material: car stickers, promotional literature, posters, signs to be put up at installation sites, and so on.

• Information in “Qualit’EnR infos,” “Qualit’EnR flash infos” (an e-newsletter) and the installer-only sections on the web portal: www.qualit-enr.org.

The label helps installers reinforce their image as an environmentally-conscious company.

 

A focus on the audit process

Qualit’EnR arranges audits of systems that have been installed for individuals and are operating. Sites may be selected at random, to reach the goal of having each installer audited once during the three-year commitment period, or may be targeted (so-called “triggered” audits) following the receipt of complaints received from regional authorities, ADEME, Espace Info Energie information centres, or individuals, for example.

The quality audit process provides:

• An opportunity to assess the quality of installation work and whether the installer has upheld the commitments made in the Qualisol, QualiPV or Qualibois charter.

• A learning opportunity for installers, since they may discuss with auditors possible ways to improve their installation practices.

• An opportunity to update training manuals, taking into account defects that are commonly observed.

• A tool to measure the effectiveness of public spending on renewable energy, since al the audited sites have received aid from a regional authority.

A focus on training

Training is a key pillar of the Qualit’EnR quality process. Hundreds of skilled trainers cover the entire country to deliver high-quality training to installers:

• Approval process for “traditional” training centres and operators having signed an EFIQUA charter.

• Mandatory training for trainers employed in certified centres and fulfilment of training equipment specifications.

• A few facts and figures:

  • 293 recognised trainers

  • 96 approved training centres and 27 EFIQUA manufacturers

  • 6 “general” training manuals

  • Over 5,000 labels delivered in 2008 following completed training programs

Where to train: French version