A new reference document is helping installers understand their obligations when repairing or making alterations to solar or battery systems, writes former Clean Energy Council technical program specialist Billie Smith.
The solar industry continues its progress towards national renewable energy targets. Since 2008, more than 22GW of rooftop solar has been installed on residential homes across Australia. It is a huge achievement and everyone who works in renewables can take pride in being part of it.
Australia’s enthusiastic uptake of solar and batteries has been driven by a desire to take control of energy usage, protect the environment, manage consumption and rein in energy costs.
Industry demand has given us the luxury of options to increase renewable energy sources within our homes, with many solar and battery systems available, including string systems, optimised systems, microinverters, hybrid inverters, AC (alternating current) and DC (direct current) coupled battery systems, and hot water diverters.
However, we can’t ignore the realities of this progress and the sheer size of the collective infrastructure involved.
With 3.4 million systems out there producing clean energy, care and attention is needed to ensure their continued benefit.
There are many factors determining whether a solar system requires repairs or alterations. This includes:
• damage from storms or other external events
• failing inverters and PV modules that need replacing
• evolving technologies influencing change to Australian Standards
• solar users seeking to increase system size or add batteries.
Ongoing and preventative maintenance is critical for the longevity and correct operation of any complex solar system. Inevitably, there comes a time when prevtative maintenance is not enough, and the system requires repairs or alterations.
The challenges presented by these considerations form the fundamental principles behind the Clean Energy Council’s new ‘Advice on Repairs and Alterations’ document. The Clean Energy Council has prepared the document’s advice – in consultation with Australian state and territory electrical regulators – to assist industry understand its obligations when working on a repair or alteration to an existing PV or battery system.
All electrical installations are required to comply with AS/NZS 3000:2018 from which the following definitions are taken:
• Clause 1.4.8 – Alteration: A modification to part(s) of an electrical installation
• Clause 1.4.101 – Repair: Work to restore the electrical installation to safe and sound working condition after deterioration or damage has occurred
The advice takes the following standards into consideration:
• AS/NZS 3000:2018
• AS/NZS 5033:2021
• AS/NZS 4777:1:2016
• AS/NZS 4777:2:2020
• AS/NZS 5139:2019
The Clean Energy Council’s aim in producing ‘Advice on Repairs and Alterations’ is to assist the industry in maintaining existing infrastructure to ensure maximum benefit, and encouraging renewable and sustainable practices, while making it possible to meet the obligations of complying with relevant AS/NZS standards, manufacturers’ specifications, and distributed network service provider (DNSP) and regulator requirements.
The document does not provide an exhaustive list. However, it goes into depth on some of the most common questions received by the Clean Energy Council, breaking down industry scenarios including damaged components that need replacing; modifying or moving a system; increasing rooftop solar capacity; and the addition of a battery system.
As a sustainable industry, there must be focus on not simply condemning a system but requiring it to be removed and sent off to be recycled to eliminate needless e-waste, which goes against the fundamental renewable and sustainable principles we are working to achieve.
‘Advice on Alterations and Repairs’ drills down on relevant standards and regulations to ensure that, where possible, existing systems can be restored to safe and operable condition after damage or degradation has occurred.
Correctly designed and installed solar can have an expected life of 25 years. It is inevitable some components may fail during this time, but it is fair and reasonable to look for ways that will allow the system to operate for as long as possible.
We are all part of the solution. It is important to find ways the industry can meet the needs of consumer demand by safely and sustainably maintaining existing systems, and by altering systems on homes of people who want to expand their renewable energy journey.
The ‘Advice on Alterations and Repairs’ document is one small step to helping the industry work together to move in the right direction to enable a renewable and sustainable nation.
Clean Energy Council myCEC subscribers – including all accredited installers and designers – can access the ‘Advice on Alterations and Repairs’ document by logging on to their account.