Solar Photovoltaic Panel Installation (Nat)

The main issue to consider is the upfront installation cost but as mentioned most people bypass that when considering the future economic payback.

Recently there have been questions about the safety of PV panel installations, due to a few high voltage fires caused by faulty PV panel installation overseas.

Consumer wariness on retrofitting new products to existing houses has also been heightened by the safety flaws encountered under the Federal Governments Homeowner Insulation Program.

The fires that have occurred overseas have been attributed to faulty wiring installation rather than the actual PV panels being faulty. At the time of this fact sheets publication, in approximately the 100,000 solar panel installations Australia wide, there has not been a fire caused by the faulty installation of solar panels.

Currently for homeowners to be eligible to access to the feed in tariff incentive, it is a requirement that the SGU installer is accredited with the Clean Energy Council (CEC). The CEC accreditation process ensures that all grid connect installers of SGU’s are licensed electricians. Applicants must also successfully complete a CEC accreditation course, provide a number of case studies showing correct SGU installation in accordance with Australia Standards and applicants must also have a public liability insurance policy with at least $5 million cover.

In June 2010 the Federal Government amended the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001. The changes relate to the Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme and in particular the installation to SGU’s and their subsequent eligibility for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) (see HIA information sheet NAT EF 10-07).

To enhance the safety and compliance requirements for the installation of SGU’s under the RET scheme, the Government has now made it clear that:

• To be eligible for renewable energy certificates, installations must comply with state and territory regulations for siting panels and building codes, including requirements for panel mountings and connections;
• Installers must be both CEC accredited and licensed electricians, with the exemption of some remote non-grid connections; and
• Installers of SGU’s must retain documentation of how they have met the above requirements.

The enhanced regulations have also increased the penalties for non compliance.

All PV panels installed under the RET scheme and/or installed to receive the feed in tariff must be supplied by one of the registered agents listed on the CEC website or the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator website.

While there is nothing prohibiting any individual or company from selling or installing their own, non-certified/approved PV panels in Australia, the panels will not be eligible for any of the Government monetary incentive schemes available.

For more information about CEC accreditation and approved PV Panels and SGU’s products available and the product which would suit your situation visit www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au

For more information about the RET scheme visit http://www.orer.gov.au/index.html

HIA members can contact HIA’s Planning & Building Services staff for more information.

References:

Infinity Solar Queensland www.infinitysolar.com.au

YourHome Technical Manual http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/index.html