Standards
Relevant Standards for Design and Installation SPS systems
The applicable primary standards are:
AS 4509 Stand-alone Power Systems
part 1 Safety requirements
part 2 Design guidelines
part 3 Installation and maintenance
AS 4086 Secondary batteries for SPS
part 2 Installation and maintenance
AS/NZS 5033 Installation of photovoltaic (PV) arrays
If you're a CEC Accredited Installer you MUST have and use a copy of these standards. They can be purchased from Standards Australia
Other relevant standards include:
AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Wiring Rules
AS 1768 Lightning Protection
AS/NZS 1170.2 Wind Loads
AS4777 Grid Connections of Energy Systems via Inverters
Maintenance of Systems
It is the responsibility of all accredited installers to advise the owner of a system if it does not comply with the current Standards. This could be as a result of weathering, damage or an upgrading of the Standards themselves.
It should be noted that with the advent of AS/NZS5033 there has been a strengthening of the Standards applicable to PV array installations. Similarly AS4777, for the Standards on grid-connection of energy systems via inverters. AS4509 is also currently being revised so stay tuned for news on the changes to it.
Manufacturing and Importing Standards
Since the advent of the new rebate schemes, the Clean Energy Council has received many enquiries from importers wishing to bring components and entire PV systems into the Country.
There are several requirements to be met:
1. The Australian Standard for Photovoltaic Installations (AS/NZS5033)
Currently this Standard states that grid-connected PV modules shall comply with IEC61730 Class A AND either IEC61215 or IEC61646.
Non-grid-connected systems less than 50 Voc and less than 240 W shall comply with either IEC61215 or IEC61646 AND should comply with IEC61730 Class C. eg. stand-alone systems, park lights, water pumping, etc..
3. The Australian Standard for grid-connected inverters (AS4777)
Grid-connected inverters must comply with AS4777, AS3100 or IEC equivalent and have a current Certificate of Suitability from a state regulator.
4. The Trade Practices Act
We suggest you familiarise yourself with the content of the Trade Practices Act 1974 with regards to importing. Our interpretation includes the need for the importer to provide a warranty as though they were the manufacturer, ensure the goods are of marketable quality and that they are used for the purpose for which they were intended. Trade Practices Act
5. The Department of the Environment (DEWHA) and the Department of Climate Change's requirements for eligibility for rebates.
Each rebate program has its own web pages outlining its requirements in terms of Standards and compliance.
National Solar in Schools Program
The Solar Credits Scheme
6. CEC Accreditation
Rebates and RECs will only be paid when the systems are designed and installed by CEC Accredited personnel. The installation reports must be physically signed off by the installer at the installation site after the system has been commissioned.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) can be applied for up to 12 months after the date of installation.
Tech Info
From time to time the CEC publishes "Tech Info", a short series of articles addressing an aspect of the Australian Standards. These have recently been updated and are mandatory reading for all designers and installers.
