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The evolving role of electrical installers: Navigating the energy transition
Depending on how you view it, it’s either a very exciting or daunting time to be an electrical installer. While once straightforward, installations have become increasingly complex, driven by the surge in renewable installations and electrification of load for sustainable, energy-efficient homes.
According to BNEF, by 2035 32.4 million residential chargers will be in place across Europe, from 6.3 million in 2023. Now consumers are seeking multi-layered plans to increase energy efficiency of their homes and save energy costs.
According to S&P, 56.5 GW of storage is expected to be installed on residential establishments in Europe from 2024 to 2030.
Delivering a safe, dependable, cost-effective solution is an unchanging necessity for installers, but how this is accomplished is changing rapidly. Now homeowners are looking towards technologies like solar panels and energy storage to save energy costs, live sustainably and reduce their dependency on the ever more constrained national grid. In fact, it’s estimated that 53% of European family homes are theoretically able to be completely self-sufficient with solar energy generation and energy storage.
Understanding the customers’ motivations for investing in green technologies is integral to the role of the modern-day electrical installer. Those who get ahead of the curve now will be perfectly positioned to grow their customer base and establish themselves as market experts due to the high demand across Europe. In this blog we cover the crucial elements of the installer’s role today and provide insights into maximising value for customers navigating the energy transition.
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It also discusses safety strategies and the role of installers in ensuring safe and effective integration of these systems.
For most homeowners, the journey towards energy efficiency begins with a desire to either reduce costs or become energy independent. In both cases, solar panels are often top of mind. Generating renewable energy at home can reduce reliance on the grid, leading to lower bills while simultaneously contributing to the environment.
Once consumers recognise the benefits of solar panels, energy storage systems become an attractive addition. Energy storage enhances the benefits of solar panels, unlocking the ability to preserve generated energy and use it at the optimum time. Even without solar panels, energy storage can reduce bills by storing low-tariff energy from off-peak times and redistributing this throughout the day as needed.
Determining a customer’s unique consumption patterns, and the customer’s solar production helps to establish the exact storage solution required. By carefully assessing these factors, installers can recommend tailored sizing, suitable components and ensure proper integration that maximises the benefits of energy storage while aligning with the homeowner's needs and desired investment level.
Through a strategic combination of solar panels and energy storage systems, homeowners can achieve significant strides towards energy independence, cost savings, and a reduced environmental footprint. As the demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to rise, installers play a pivotal role in guiding customers through this transformative journey.
No matter which technology, or combination of, the homeowner chooses, several key components are essential for ensuring long-lasting results and minimal maintenance intervention. Often the role of an installer involves advising homeowners on the type and the scale of the technology required. An installer's priority is ensuring safety and operational reliability for their customers. Their recommendations must be based on the latest electrical standards and therefore provide the specific protection requirements for the chosen load type, such as incorporating the right type of protection devices or distribution boards.
Regulatory developments are accelerating the transition towards sustainable energy solutions. Staying informed about these evolving regulations, as well as standards for low voltage installations and products enables installers to better serve their customers and provide compliant, future-proof installations.
For example, the EU’s Solar Power Energy strategy will make it compulsory for large new and existing buildings to install solar panels from 2025 and 2027 respectively, and all new residential buildings by 2029. It also incentivises member states to upskill and grow their workforces in the clean energy sector.
When it comes to retrofitting existing homes, various constraints must be considered, including available space, energy availability, and existing infrastructure limitations. The diverse nature of residential housing stock, ranging from single-occupancy apartments to large, detached homes, necessitates tailored approaches. These must accommodate varying energy demands, ages of homes and the current electrical infrastructure.
The EPBD IV (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive) encompasses more than solar, by demanding that buildings reduce their overall energy consumption. Although each country will have the autonomy to decide how this is achieved, residential buildings will need to reduce their primary energy use by 16% by 2030, and 22% by 2035. A stimulus for property developers and homeowners to install heat pumps, PV panels and energy storage is needed to become more efficient and manage the growth of electrification and EVs.
By navigating these complexities and understanding the unique challenges as well as opportunities created by regulatory requirements and incentives, installers can position themselves as trusted advisors, guiding homeowners through the intricacies of the energy transition and delivering solutions that meet their specific needs while ensuring long-term sustainability and compliance.
Across the broader construction industry there is a shortage of skilled workers throughout Europe. The decline in skilled workers since 2010, has been compounded by a number of different factors:
At the same time the growing electrification of our lives, and the current energy transition, means there is a higher demand for skilled labour than ever before. It is estimated there will be over one million new jobs in Europe related to the energy transition by 2030. Skilled workers are integral for a successful and quick energy transition but 80% of businesses say finding and hiring skilled workers is a struggle. Many countries are beginning to turn the tide by investing in upskilling the younger generation. In the UK the number of roles in the sector has increased by 22,000 since 2020.
Installers can accelerate this education by entering programs or schemes that train staff and find installers near potential projects. This helps to facilitate direct or indirect employment of skilled workers and secure business opportunities.
Eaton supports installers by providing up-to-date technologies. Many products are designed to simplify the role of the installer, with fully compliant pre-wired and prefabricated boards, which reduce the complexity and time of installations whilst providing peace of mind. Eaton also considers the associated training needs of new technologies, including guides and online tools, and with the help of its partners, will source local support if necessary. In doing so, this gives confidence to installers when selecting the components for each project.
The growing demand for skilled installers is a huge opportunity in the market today. To maximise one’s ability to cover demand, and installer needs to stay up to date with the latest technology related to the energy transition. When armed with the correct product offering and the expertise to tackle the complex ambitions of homeowners, installers can service more homes in less time, and grow their business. Eaton’s pre-wired and pre-assembled boards and boxes give a more complete offering to the market, saving installers time and reducing complexity, in turn allowing them to be as efficient as possible.
Eaton has been an expert in power management for over 100 years, the offerings they have now are built upon years of knowledge and experience in the industry. Products are made with the highest quality material to adhere with and exceed requirements. When electricity is so integral to our way of life, and still poses significant health risks if not implemented correctly, choosing trustworthy solutions is crucial for peace of mind long-term.
To find out more about how Eaton can support you as an installer check out some of the links below.
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