Huge number of solar rooftops ‘non-compliant’ and unsafe

The record numbers of households adopting solar rooftops has prompted a call to improve regulation from Ausgrid, which found a staggering 82 per cent of installations were “non-compliant”.

Exclusive: The record numbers of households adopting solar rooftops has prompted a call to improve regulation from Ausgrid, which found a staggering 82 per cent of installations were “non-compliant”.

In a submission to a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the Climate Change (net zero future) Bill 2023, the network operator said while it “strongly supported” the Bill, it was concerned about the fragmented approach being taken to the energy transition.

The approach had seen multiple players seeking to create an unregulated profit margin from the transition, negatively impacting customers while compounding cost of living pressures.

There was also no framework to protect customers who chose a “net zero choice” such as installing a rooftop solar system, it said.

Ausgrid market development and strategy acting group executive Alex McPherson said the network operator had recently purchased data from more than 200,000 smart metres in its network area, and found more than 80 per cent of solar installations were non-compliant.

In western Sydney, many homes have solar panels installed on the rooftops. Picture: NCA NewsWire

This had exacerbated “over-voltage” issues, which were creating problems for both solar and non-rooftop solar customers, he said.

Electrical appliances are designed to operate within a particular voltage range.

Should the voltage be too high, appliances, wiring and other electrical equipment can be damaged.

At an extreme level, overvoltage could start a fire although Ausgrid — which does not install solar rooftops — is not aware of any.

While solar rooftop installation have an inverter to control the voltage, non-compliant systems had meant some disabled or were not set properly.

Existing regulations do not permit Ausgrid to be involved in solar rooftop installations.

Solar panels on rooftops of houses in The Ponds, in northwest Sydney. Picture: AAP

“With record numbers of rooftop solar being installed in NSW, the noncompliance by solar installers will continue to compound without the introduction of a regulatory framework that enables NSW distribution network service providers, or requires NSW Fair Trading, to enforce training, compliance and reporting on electrical installers,” he said.

The lack of consumer protections from the “unplanned, fragmented” approach would also lead to issues in the electrical vehicle charging infrastructure space, Mr McPherson warned.

Along with enhancing consumer protections, Ausgrid wants targets set for NSW distribution network service provides (DNSPs) to deliver net zero infrastructure and services like community batteries, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and distributed renewable energy zones.

National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) chief executive officer Oliver Judd urged the public to ensure they only engaged a licensed electricians when having solar rooftops installed.

Solar panels on the roof of Bringelly Village shopping centre in Sydney. Picture: AAP

Customers should also request a copy of the CCEW (Certificate Compliance Electrical Work) once the install has been completed, he said.

“There are far too many non-compliant rooftop solar systems being installed in NSW,” Mr Judd said.

“The safety and reliability of our power supply is critical and we can’t afford to let shoddy workmanship compromise this.

The Association’s policy director Neil Roberts said non-compliant installations not only caused overvoltage issues such as damaging household appliances, but also presented “serious risks” to the safety and reliability of supply.

“Consistent network overvoltage can affect and even damage consumers appliances and disrupt the operation of other equipment in the area,” he said.

“Non-compliant installations can also present serious risks to the safety and reliability of supply.

“The regulatory framework that is in place for electrical work is not supported by modern systems which would ensure installers are completing and documenting mandatory safety and compliance tests, and there are insufficient numbers of installation inspectors to investigate and secure compliance.”
Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Huge number of solar rooftops ‘non-compliant’ and unsafe