Incorrect installation of solar photovoltaic systems in Canberra has resulted in the cancellation of about six electricians' licences over the past 12 months.
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In probably the worst case, a Sydney company is being required to correct numerous installations, after which its licence will be cancelled.
ACT Planning and Land Authority records indicate less than 1 per cent of this company's work has been approved at the authority's first inspection and has also failed subsequent inspections. The company has two licensed electricians with accreditation by the Clean Energy Council to install photovoltaic systems. Their ACT electricians' licences were issued this year under a reciprocal arrangement which recognised their NSW licences.
The failure of such a high proportion of solar installations and a rapid increase in the number of installations before the ACT's feed-in tariff scheme closed and before the Federal Government subsidy was reduced means some installations cannot be inspected until at least February. Some people will wait at least five months for an initial inspection.
Numerous complaints have been received by The Canberra Times from people frustrated they cannot derive income from photovoltaic systems which have been installed but not approved. Unlike other jurisdictions, the ACT requires all photovoltaic installations to be inspected before they may operate.
Electrical inspectors are concerned even electricians accredited by the Clean Energy Council do not allow for the higher voltages generated by solar systems in colder climates such as Canberra's. This has meant inadequate wiring, switches and inverters have been used and is a major reason for installations failing inspections. Incorrect installations could cause fires.
It is this potential which caused the ACT Planning and Land Authority, also the electrical regulator, to insist all photovoltaic installations are inspected. It is concerned Canberra did not have enough qualified electricians to support the spike of sales earlier this year.
Companies which marketed aggressively engaged installers from interstate. Though holding appropriate licences and Clean Energy Council accreditation, and with the rush to complete jobs, many installations have had defect notices.
It is understood random audits in other jurisdictions have revealed similar shortcomings.
Accreditation by the Clean Energy Council costs $880 and is valid for 24 months. The Renewable Energy Electricity Act requires photovoltaic systems to be designed and installed by Clean Energy Council accredited installers to receive Small Scale Technology certificates. These certificates can be sold to offset the cost of systems.
Installers must sign a statement that the requirements under the Act have been met including that they have followed the Clean Energy Council's guidelines and state and territory requirements.
A spokeswoman for ACT Environment Minister Simon Corbell said yesterday the ACT had the most rigorous inspection rate for solar installations in Australia.
''The ACT is the only jurisdiction that requires a 100 per cent double inspection for all solar installations.''
There is no gallery attached to this story. A pointer in today's paper was placed on this article by mistake.