Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are becoming an affordable way for households to lower their electricity bills and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
The information on this page will help you choose a solar PV system and ensure it is safe.
On this page:
How to check your solar PV system installation video
Choosing a solar PV systemFinding an accredited installer
Rebates and incentives for solar PV systemsBefore you have a solar pv system installed
Safety checks after a solar PV system is installed Incorrectly installed DC circuit breakersHow to check your solar PV system installation video
Find out what safety checks you can perform after your solar PV system has been installed.
Choosing a solar PV system
There are a number of guides that can help you to choose the right solar PV system for your needs.
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Finding an accredited installer
Ensure the individual designing and installing your solar PV system is accredited by the Clean Energy Council.
The installer carrying out the work should be a licensed electrician. You can check if your electrician is licensed in South Australia by searching the licensing public register.
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Rebates and incentives for solar PV systems
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Before you have a solar PV system installed
Check you have a suitable location for panels
Solar PV panels produce most power when they are pointed directly at the sun. In Australia, solar modules should face north for optimum electricity production.
Solar PV panels should ideally be in full sun from at least 9am to 3pm. They should not be placed in shaded areas. Even a small amount of shade - from things like trees, roof ventilators or antennas - will have a large impact on the output of a panel, as it changes the flow of electricity through the panel. Shading on just one of the cells in a solar panel results in a loss of power from many cells, not just the one that is shaded.
Check you have the correct meter
SA Power Networks will be able to advise if you require a new meter for your solar PV system. See the SA Power Networks guide to installing a solar PV system for more information.
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Safety checks after a solar PV system is installed
1. Are cables secure?
2. Are isolating switches and shutdown procedures clearly labelled?
3. Has the installer given you a certificate of compliance?
1. Are cables secure?
Ensure that all cables associated with the system are secure and properly enclosed to protect them from mechanical and environmental damage. Unprotected cables, for example laying loose across your roof, could easily become damaged and present a safety risk.
Solar array cables that are not secured or protected |
Solar array cables that are not secured or protected |
Solar array with correctly secured and protected cables |
2. Are isolating switches and shutdown procedures clearly labelled?
Your solar PV system should have labels which clearly identify switches (isolators) controlling:
- the supply from the solar panels (DC supply)
- the supply from the inverter unit (AC supply)
- the normal electricity supply main switch
The system should also have:
- clear shutdown procedure instructions which can be followed if you need to shut down the supply from the solar panels.
- a label on your main switch board and meter box identifying that your home has a dual energy supply.
If there is no shutdown procedure displayed or you do not understand the procedure instructions, do not operate any of the switches until your installer has explained their use to you.
Make sure you ask your installer to show you the location of all the relevant switches and labels.
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Solar system with clearly labelled switches and shutdown procedure |
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Switchboard with dual supply and solar array clearly labelled |
3. Has the installer given you a certificate of compliance?
An electrical certificate of compliance must be given to you within thirty days of the solar system being connected.
If you do not receive an electrical certificate of compliance this could jeopardise your insurance if an electrical-related incident subsequently causes fire or damage to the property.
See
Using a licensed electrician and electrical certificate of compliance.
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Incorrectly installed DC circuit breakers
Incorrectly installed DC circuit breakers on some solar panel systems present a very low safety risk to households.
The
Clean Energy Council has been working on correcting this issue over the last twelve months and released an
information sheet (92kb) to help consumers.
Any safety issue would only occur should a system with an incorrectly wired DC circuit breaker be manually turned off by a person during peak load, in which case the circuit breaker might burn out. Even under such conditions the probability of an incident is deemed to be very low.
The advice from the industry’s expert advisory panel - the Standards, Training and Accreditation (STA) Committee - confirms that the greatest risk to householders would be in them manually shutting off their system. They advise owners of solar panel systems to leave their solar system alone.
Contact your installation company if you have any concerns about whether your system's DC circuit breaker is of a type which presents a risk, or to confirm that it was installed correctly.
For more information, view the Clean Energy Council's
media release.
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Further help and advice
If you would like further general information about installing solar panels please contact the Energy Advisory Service.
If you have safety concerns about a solar installation at your home please contact the Office of the Technical Regulator.
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