The number of complaints against solar power installers has increased over the last few months according to the Clean Energy Council.
Inspections carried out by the CEC have found systems installed in an unsafe way; increasing the risk of fire. In other instances, systems have been installed in such a way that performance is substantially decreased and complaints have also been lodged about exaggerated system performance information being provided by some companies.
Investigations of complaints by the CEC has led to BCSE accreditation being stripped from one installer, with the possibility of more to come.
The goal of the Clean Energy Council’s BCSE accredited solar power installer scheme is to protect the industry and the customer by requiring accredited designers and installers to design and install systems that meet standards and provide customers with systems that meet their performance expectations.
Over the next 12 months a new division set up within the CEC will be undertaking compliance audits for both grid-connect solar power systems and solar hot water systems that have received federal government rebates.
These audits will include desktop, drive-by and on-site audits. Desk top audits will cross reference installers with dates that installation reports are signed. If it appears that it was physically impossible for a person to have been involved with the installations they have signed they will ask to explain how it was achieved. Performance information provided by installers to customers will also be requested and checked.
The drive-by audits will check that systems are not completely shaded by a tree. On-site audits will check that solar hot water systems and solar panels installed after June 1 2009 are compliant to the new IEC standards and on the approved list. Checks will also be made as to whether the electrical wiring meets standards including voltage drop, the protection equipment is rated correctly and the mounting structure meets AS1170 standards.
The CEC will adopt the policy of informing state regulators of non-compliance.
The Clean Energy Council has also reminded installers that when the electrician signs the certificate of compliance that they are signing a legal document stating they have installed the system in accordance with all standards.
According to Max Sylvester of Energy Matters, a national provider of solar power solutions, the crackdown is welcomed. “We like to think the majority of those involved in the Australian solar industry are ethical and work to the highest standards, but unfortunately there is the cowboy element that put profits before safety and quality. We look forward to seeing those operators being weeded out.”
“Energy Matters released a consumer’s guide to solar power last year to help raise awareness about the tricks used by shonky operators and the CEC’s initiative will certainly help those who have fallen victim to these companies.”
