Accreditation guidelines

New guidelines for installers

In September a new edition of the CEC installation guidelines was introduced.
It is available by clicking here.

Under the terms of your CEC install accreditation, you are expected to adhere to these guidelines. The main changes in the new edition are;

PV array cable is recommended to be SDI solar cable, similar to that used for array wiring. The allowance to use TPS cable has been removed.
Recommended voltage drop on PV array cable is <1%.
The rooftop array isolator, if installed, must be mounted with the enclosure opening in such away to avoid water ingress.
On rooftop junction boxes, if installed, the conduit entries should be on the lower side or bottom of the J-box.
Engineering certificate. Installers must obtain from their frame supplier a copy of the engineering certificate stating the frame is certified to AS1170.2 for their location. They must also obtain information on how the frame is to be mounted on the roof to maintain this certification. A copy of the certification must be provided to the customer.
Engineering declaration. You must install the frame in accordance with the recommendations of the supplier/manufacturer and provide a declaration of this to the customer. Note: elevated frames are subject to much higher wind loadings and the certification and recommendations must cover this situation if applicable.
Earthing of LV array frames. Metallic module frames must be earthed if using a transformerless inverter with no galvanic isolation.
Earthing of LV Arrays. If the module manufacturer recommends earthing of either the array + or array -, these arrays must not be connected to a transformerless inverter with no galvanic isolation.
Mechanical protection of array interconnect cables may be required where the presence of fauna may be expected to constitute a hazard. For example, possums or rodents eating through insulation.

The most common problem encountered during the current round of inspections is lack of documentation.

As installers you need to ensure that the customer is provided with the following documents;

List of equipment supplied including Make and Model numbers or PV modules
Warranty information
System performance estimate (average kWh/day or /year)
Array frame engineering certificate
Array frame installation declaration
Shutdown procedure
System connection diagram
Manufacturer handbooks for all equipment supplied
Maintenance procedure and timetable
Commissioning sheet and install checklist

Of particular concern is the failure to provide a datasheet on the PV modules by many installers. This document is critical for future repairs, maintenance and upgrades, and as proof of what was installed. The installer must provide this document, even if not supplied with the modules, and ensure that the module appears on the CEC compliant PV modules list. Both the name and the module number must correspond.

The lack of a system performance estimate supplied to customers is of particular concern. While this is primarily the responsibility of the accredited designer to provide, it is the responsibility of the installer to ensure it is provided to the customer at handover.

There are continuing problems with the Emergency Services sign ‘SOLAR ARRAY ON ……..’
which also includes the Array Voc and Isc. These are often filled in with incorrect information, or even left blank. Filling in with ball-point pen is not acceptable. It must be a permanent marker and clearly visible from 0.8m [capital lettering – 5mm for each metre of view distance. 0.8 = 4mm capitals]
This must be the Voc of the array, and the Isc of the array, not of the module.
Please ensure it is accurate. This becomes very important as new modules on the market have different voltages depending on the number of cells.

If you are an accredited installer but not an accredited designer, you must ensure that the system you are installing has been designed correctly. See Responsibilities of Accredited Designers below. For example, if you are buying a kit from a wholesaler, will your supplier take responsibility for the design of the system? If not, you will need to work with an accredited designer to sign off the design, including the system performance.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF IMPORTERS AND DISTRIBUTORS

Modules

If you are importing PV modules, you must ensure the module is approved for use in Australia before you sign the contract. There have been a number of cases this year where importers have containers of stock landed in Australia before finding they cannot be approved for use in Australia. A licenced electrician cannot legally install the modules unless they are approved, as AS5033 is now called up by AS3000.

Both the certifying body and the associated test laboratory must be on the IECEE list shown on the CEC website.

The modules must be sold under the name of the Licence Holder shown on the IEC certificate.
It is not permissible to sell them under your own name, as this is in breach of the terms of the certificate. If a brand name is used, it must be used in association with the full licence holder name.

If you wish to use your own brand name on modules you market, you need to apply to the certifying body, through your supplier, for a certificate in your own name, and get this approved and listed.

The module label and the datasheet must bear the exact same model number as the certificate and the AS5033 Compliant Modules list. Every power rating approved for use in Australia is listed. Module types or families will always have the power rating as a suffix. If in doubt, please email accreditation@cleanenergycouncil.org.au for clarification.

New guidelines will require applicants to supply copies of representative module labels and datasheets to ensure they agree with the certificate.

The installer must supply a copy of the module datasheet to the customer at handover, so your cooperation in making these available to the installer is required.

As an importer, you are legally responsible for meeting any warranty obligations, including manufacturer warranties. Your ability to get warranty support from the manufacturer will depend on the strength of your ongoing relationship with the manufacturer. For your own protection you should ensure you work with manufacturers who you know you can trust to provide this long-term backup, before entering into contracts. Many module importers insist on visiting the factory before entering into a contact to purchase.

Array Frames

For manufacturers and distributors of array frames, the new Installation Guideline now requires an engineering certificate to be supplied to the customer by the installer, stating that the frame is certified to AS1170.2 for their location. The installer must also obtain information on how the frame is to be mounted to the roof to maintain this certification. As the supplier, you will need to be in a position to provide this certificate, and the associated recommendations on the number of attachment points required for different roof types and different installation circumstances.

It is suggested that the installer will get recommendations for the worst case they will usually encounter. These parameters need to be clearly spelled out in the recommendations. For unusual installations, outside these parameters, the installer will need to go back to you for advice on roof fixings.

Your cooperation on this will be required if the installer is to meet their obligations under these guidelines, and under the new regulations being introduced by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator for the Solar Credits scheme.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF SYSTEM DESIGNERS

Under the terms of your CEC design accreditation, you are expected to adhere to the CEC System Design Guidelines. This specifies that a site inspection must be conducted to determine, among other things

Energy efficiency initiatives that could be implemented by the owner
Occupational safety risks of the site
Whether the roof is suitable for mounting the array
Solar access for the site
Whether any shading will occur and its estimated effect on performance
Orientation and tilt angle of the roof
Where the inverter will be located
Location of a.c. switchboards and any alterations required

The guidelines require the quotation to include the following as a minimum:

Full specifications of the system including quantity, make and model number of the solar modules and inverter.
Estimate of yearly energy output of the system based on available solar radiation adjusted for tilt, orientation and shading, and taking into account temperature, dirt, module mismatch, cable losses and inverter efficiency.
Estimated dollar savings based on current energy pricing
A firm quotation which includes all equipment and install charges.
Warranty information on all equipment.

If you run a sales company and engage accredited installers, someone in your company must be an accredited designer who takes responsibility for the system design and performance estimate for each job. If you do not take this responsibility, you need to inform the installer of this.

The reason that rebates and feed-in tariffs are paid to customers is primarily due to the greenhouse gas savings generated. It is critical to the future of the solar industry that this simple fact is not forgotten.