News & Views
7th February 2017
ACT Residential Photovoltaic and Battery Storage Inspection Process
Access Canberra electrical inspections wish to advise the electrical industry of a change of inspections procedures effective 16 January 2017 that should have a positive impact on the Photovoltaic (PV) installations and battery storage industries.
In 2005 the electrical inspection process for Residential Photovoltaic (PV) Inspections were moved to a high risk category, resulting in all new PV installations being inspected before they could be connected to the Electricity Network. Over the last year Access Canberra has noticed a decrease in compliance issues in these types of installations, and also technology changes have prompted a change in the risk profile for this type of installation.
Access Canberra had advised that from 14 November 2016, new zero export Residential Photovoltaic (PV) installations maybe connected to the electrical installation, commissioned and handed over to the owner before the electrical inspectors have conducted the electrical audit of the installation.
The Access Canberra Electrical Inspections team have now updated this advice to include all Residential PV installations, and Residential Battery Storage installations when included in the PV package, exporting and zero exporting systems.
On the Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) form, the type of work is to remain as “new work” and the electrician may now leave the PV installation connected to the electrical installation and left energised before submitting the Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) form. Electricians are reminded that all electrical work is to be reported to Access Canberra within 14 days of the work and penalties apply for failing to do this.
Any electrical installation not found compliant at the time of inspection may be disconnected by the electrical inspector and a re-inspection fee charged to the electrician.
Notes:
This electrical note is applicable only residential (NCC Building Class 1 and 10) PV systems and PV Battery Storage systems, that are charged directly by a PV system.
Where the embedded generation is of a technology other than: Photovoltaic (PV) or a Battery Storage system charged directly by a PV system, the installation cannot be connected to the electricity network until it is approved by an Access Canberra electrical inspector.
The advice in this notice is subject to the electrician gaining prior approval from the Electricity Network Distributor (ActewAGL Distribution) to connect a grid connected inverter to their network. In some cases, the electricity meter may not support net metering/energy export and the electrician must get approval from the electricity metering retailer first. Full details are available on their website http://www.actewagl.com.au
Electricians are reminded that electrical installation connections to the electricity network (grid) are to comply with the Service and Installation rules and embedded generation guidelines as published by ActewAGL Distribution. http://www.actewagl.com.au
