Updated August 16, 8:50pm AEST:
Although subject to change, home solar panel installations are currently listed as authorised providers under the official list on coronavirus.vic.gov.au. The website states the following:
Services that operate solely outdoors where physical distancing can be maintained at all times. Solo work only unless additional workers are required for safety reasons:
- Outdoor maintenance, repairs, cleaning and other building work, including at occupied premises.
- Home renovations and installations (outdoor only)
- Home solar panel installations in Melbourne (only for outdoor work or in roof cavities with external access).
Download your authorised provider and authorised worker permits
Solar installers must ensuire they obtain their authorised provider permit and that their employees have a certified authorised worker permit. Authorised workers will be required to carry permits when working, and when travelling for work, from 11:59pm on Tuesday August 17. The authorised provider and worker permits can be downloaded here.
We will continue to keep you updated on any changes, but we are hopeful that the solar industry can continue to operate at some capacity during this extended lockdown.
Original article:
Melbourne’s lockdown has been extended two weeks until September 2 and new restrictions have been put in place. From 9:00pm to 5:00am, those in Metropolitan Melbourne cannot leave their home except for limited reasons. Essential workers will be able to leave home to go to work.
It is anticipated that additional restrictions in relation to the movement of tradespeople (including Melbourne solar installers) will be announced in coming days. Furthermore, Premier Dan Andrews has announced that essential worker permits would be required after 11:59pm Tuesday night. The authorised provider and worker permits can be downloaded here.
What we can likely expect, based on the Premier’s announcement, is that the Melbourne solar industry will be operating as it did last year with staffing reductions in place except for critical infrastructure and emergency repairs.
The Premier added that “at large scale construction sites, staffing must reduce to 25 per cent or five workers on site, whichever is higher.”
“Authorised workers will be required to carry permits when working, and when travelling for work, from 11:59pm on Tuesday August 17. The permits need to be certified by an employer”, he said.
Energy Matters will be following the news closely and will be updating this page with the latest information on restrictions for Victoria’s solar industry as they are announced.
The most current information available on restrictions and guidelines for the Victorian solar industry (as of August 16) are as follows:
*Metropolitan and Regional Melbourne are subject to different sets of restrictions.
Metropolitan Melbourne:
Solar installations can occur if:
- They can be undertaken completely outdoors with the relevant COVIDSafe plans and precautions in place. No internal access to premises is permitted.
- Entry to any roof cavity is possible from outside of the building to minimise risks to residents.
- Battery installations can occur in garages only where the garage is standalone and no internal access to the primary residence is required.
- Up to five workers are permitted per site (with an additional supervisor) for businesses with an ABN.
Door-to-door sales activities are not allowed.
Regional Victoria:
All solar installations can recommence under specific conditions.
Solar installations can now take place indoors and outdoors at occupied properties under the following conditions:
- Relevant COVIDSafe plans and precautions must be in place.
- A face mask must be worn indoors and outdoors at all times, unless you have a lawful reason not to wear one.
- Social distancing must be maintained.
- Door-to-door sales activity can recommence in regional areas if workers are regionally based. A face mask must be worn at all times and social distancing must be maintained.
Workers cannot travel from Metropolitan Melbourne to undertake door-to-door sales.
Door-to-door sales activity will be banned under the Solar Homes Program from 1 September 2021.
