A large number of rooftop solar panels in WA have been found to have “unacceptable” defects which could pose a fire risk, according to a report released today.
An EnergySafety audit of 260 grid-connected systems found half had at least one defect.
It found 12 per cent of installations had incorrect wiring and 11 per cent failed to adequately protect cables, which the report found could pose a serious safety risk.
Another 27 per cent failed to comply with labelling requirements.
The audit concluded there was an “unacceptable level of sub-standard solar installations” in WA, and prompted a warning from EnergySafety director Ken Bowron for the solar energy industry to improve its standards.
“It is vital that the rapidly expanding solar industry lift its performance and maintains the highest safety standards now and into the future to protect owners and their property,” he said.
The audit was commissioned in June in response to the spike in demand for domestic solar systems, with 10,000 new systems installed in WA between July and December this year alone.
All the defects were subject to orders to make them safe, and a second inspection was carried out to ensure the systems had been fixed and complied with strict safety standards.
“Householders and businesses must have confidence that their solar equipment meets stringent safety standards. These inspections will be stepped up and continued to ensure compliance with the law,” Mr Bowron said.
“Only licensed electrical contractors may perform the solar installations and householders should receive an Electrical Safety Certificate stating that their system is completely safe.
“Installers must also notify the relevant network operator, Western Power or Horizon Power, when a new installation is completed.”
Sustainable Energy Association chief executive Ray Wills said the report was important but criticised the timing of its release.
“They began collecting this information in June this year, and if it was collated for three months that takes us to September,” he said.
“If they had these concerns, why has it taken until December 23 for their concerns to emerge?”
Professor Wills said householders with roof-top solar panels should be aware, but not alarmed.
“Should people check – yes, but they shouldn’t be alarmed before Christmas,” he said.
“If people feel they have had a bad experience with their installation, they probably have more reason to be concerned.”
In those situations, Professor Wills encouraged people to contact their installer to double check the system was properly installed.
“It is possible that some people have employed a few cowboys, but if they have gone to companies who are members of industry groups, such as the Sustainable Energy Association, they should be confident that the installation was a high quality job,” he said.
EnergySafety acting director Don Saunders said the solar industry was under pressure, which seemed to be resulting in some people cutting corners, but he said this was “no excuse”.
