Under the Renewable Energy Target (RET) requirements, solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems must be installed to relevant Australian standards and Clean Energy Council (CEC) guidelines in order to receive Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). To monitor this, the Clean Energy Regulator’s RET inspection program has been running since 2010. Global Sustainable Energy Solutions (GSES) is an […]
Category: Standards
DC Isolators: What are the Manufacturer’s Specification Sheets Really Telling You (ONLY VALID UNTIL DATE OF PUBLISHED)
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems use rotary DC isolators with multiple current and voltage ratings more commonly than DC rated circuit breakers. However, the flexibility of these DC isolators introduces instances of incorrect wiring when the manufacturer’s specifications are misunderstood, resulting in DC isolators being underrated for the PV system installed. This document is written to […]
Understanding Earthing
Recent updates to the Australian Standards relating to photovoltaic systems (AS/NZS 5033:2012) have led to questions about the difference between functional earthing and equipotential bonding in photovoltaic systems. This article aims to clarify what is meant when terms like earthing and bonding are used, and to briefly explain why each of these methods is needed.
Isolator Enclosures: more than just a box
Installing rooftop isolators is a requirement under AS/NZS 5033:2012. Rooftop isolators are required to ensure the safety of PV installations during maintenance and in emergency situations. However installing isolators correctly is essential if the full safety benefits are to be provided. This article clarifies the factors that installers need to consider when installing rooftop isolators.
Sealing Roof Penetrations
Roof penetrations for PV systems are often the most difficult parts of installing a PV system, especially on tile roofs. Installations on tile roofs typically require grinding out the underside of numerous tiles for the mounting feet and then having to drill holes for cable entries, then to properly seal these holes can seem tedious […]