Requirements for installing small-scale systems

• have AUD$5million in public liability insurance
• be accredited by CEC to design the type of installation being put in place (see http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/accreditation/Solar-PV-accreditation.html for information on the different accreditation types).
• be accredited as required by the jurisdiction in which the installation is taking place to perform that installation. 
  • We recommend checking with relevant local and State authorities prior to starting installation to ensure your accreditations are correct. 
  • A full list of local Governments can be found here: http://www.alga.asn.au.
• Ensure the components to be installed are listed under the Clean Energy Council list of approved products, found at http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/accreditation/Solar-PV-accreditation/approvedproducts.html:
  • AS/NZS 5033 Compliant PV Modules
  • Tested and Approved Grid Connected Inverters.

• Ensure you comply with the CEC Code of Conduct for installations
• Ensure the installation complies with the CEC Guidelines for installation and design, available here: http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/accreditation/Solar-PV-accreditation/New-CEC-guidelines.html
• Ensure the installation complies with the following Standards, as appropriate for the installation:
  • AS/NZS 5033, Installation of photovoltaic (PV) arrays
  • AS/NZS 1170.2, Structural design actions, Part 2: Wind actions
  • AS/NZS 4509.1, Stand-alone power systems, Part 1: Safety and installation
  • AS 4086.2, Secondary batteries for use with stand-alone power systems, Part 2: Installation and maintenance.
  • AS/NZS 3000, Wiring Rules;
  • AS/NZS 1768, Lightning protection;
  • AS 4777, Grid connection of energy systems via inverters

After the installation, you must provide information and signatures certifying your compliance with the above, in order for the agent or system owner to create STCs.  Please see the “Paperwork” section.

Failure to comply with any of these requirements, or providing misleading information about compliance with these requirements, contravenes Section 24B of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000.  Failure to comply with the Act can result in penalties and prosecution where warranted.  Please see the “Compliance” section.

To perform the electrical work on any small generation unit, a member of the installation team must be a licensed electrician and must:

• be accredited to perform the relevant electrical work on the specific installation
• be accredited to perform the relevant electrical work in the local, State, and/or Federal jurisdiction of the installation.
• if the off-grid system is below 50 alternating current and 120 direct current, then the system does not need to be installed by electrician.

The relevant State/Territory licensing authorities, together with the equivalent electrical licence, are indicated below:

• Comply with laws and Standards relating to safety and technical standards. 
• Standards requiring compliance are as follows:
  • AS/NZS 5033, Installation of photovoltaic (PV) arrays
  • AS/NZS 1170.2, Structural design actions, Part 2: Wind actions
  • AS/NZS 4509.1, Stand-alone power systems, Part 1: Safety and installation
  • AS 4086.2, Secondary batteries for use with stand-alone power systems, Part 2: Installation and maintenance.
  • AS/NZS 3000, Wiring Rules;
  • AS/NZS 1768 Lightning protection;
  • AS 4777, Grid connection of energy systems via inverters.
• Provide information and signatures certifying your compliance with the above, to complete the documentation that will permit the agent or owner to claim STCs against your installation.  Please see the “Paperwork” section for more information.

Failure to comply with any of these requirements, or providing misleading information about compliance with these requirements, contravenes Section 24B of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000.  Failure to comply with the Act can result in penalties and prosecution where warranted.  Please see the “Compliance” section of this document for more information.

• The person listed on the Written Compliance Statement and/or the STC Assignment Form as the installer must be able to demonstrate that they have attended the installation at the address listed in the signed documentation.
• Proof of the installer’s attendance has to include a written statement by the system owner or their appointed representative. The current example Written Compliance Statement contains this clause.

In the case where a representative is nominated then the statement will need to explain the relationship between the owner and their representative e.g. tenant, relative, neighbour. In the case of a new development the builder could sign the statement as long as they are not the CEC installer.

• You must provide information and signatures certifying your compliance with the above, to complete the documentation that will permit the agent or owner to claim STCs against your installation.  Please see the Paperwork section.