- Published:
- Monday, 19 June 2023 at 2:31 am
Installers: Some opportunities for improvement have been identified through independent audits of solar panel (PV) installations in the Solar Homes and Solar for Business programs.
One opportunity for improvement relates to inadequate or incomplete documentation.
Your installation may be selected for a safety and quality audit and must comply with all aspects of the standards. This includes complying with the updated AS/NZS 5033:2021 Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays, published on 19 November 2021.
The updated requirements became mandatory on 20 May 2022 and are reflected in our Solar PV Audit Checklist (version 3.1). Please refer to this audit checklist in your review of the following installation tips.
Documentation installation tips
Installers should take care to read AS/NZS 5033:2021 section 6 thoroughly and ensure all required documentation is provided to the homeowner at the completion of the installation.
Independent auditors are finding that the following checklist references are not always met:
Checklist reference: Doc 3
Checklist question: A list of actions to be taken in the event of an earth fault alarm.
Standards reference: AS/NZS 5033:2021 section 6.
Checklist reference: Doc 5
Checklist question: System connection diagram that includes the electrical ratings of the PV array, and the ratings of all overcurrent devices and switches as installed.
Standards reference: AS/NZS 5033:2021 section 6.
Checklist reference: Doc 7
Checklist question: Maintenance procedure and timetable.
Standards reference: AS/NZS 5033:2021 section 6.
Checklist reference: Doc 8
Checklist question: A maintenance checklist for the installed equipment.
Standards reference: AS/NZS 5033:2021 section 6.
Technical mentoring and support
Our technical mentoring and support initiative is a terrific opportunity aimed at helping increase compliance with standards. Free on-site technical mentoring is provided by experts within the industry while you are installing solar panel (PV) and battery systems. Access to support for 30 days by phone or email is available after.
We may recommend installers whose installations have been found to be non-compliant take part in technical mentoring and support.
See Audits and Technical mentoring and support.
More information
For guidance on how to comply with the relevant standards, please refer to:
- Clean Energy Regulator: Solar PV installations on or after 1 April 2022
- Energy Safe Victoria: Ensuring you have a compliant PV installation
- Energy Safe Victoria: PV systems documentation - AS/NZS 5033 requirements
For more information, guidance and tips, see Audits, safety and quality.
Updated