Hi all,
If you like the idea of being able to install your own 12 Volt solar module to run a ventillation fan in your shed, or keep a battery charged to run a light in your shed, or install any other small solar panels on your premises, then you might find that it is much harder and more expensive than it used to be, unless you have your say NOW (by 28th Oct).
The standard for solar installations, AS5033, is being revised, but the draft standard is open to comments from the public until the 28th. AS5033 requires such things as:
corrosion resistant mountings, surge protection, uv resistant materials, circuit breakers, disconnecting devices, earth fault interrupters, steel wire armoured cables, earthing and bonding arrangements, equipment marking, wiring identification, fire emergency information, labelling/signs for disconnection devices, documentation, maintenance recommendations, commissioning tests, commissioning sheet, insulation resistance measurement, open circuit voltage measurements, infrared scan, earth fault protection test, lightning protection, screening and shielding, etc. etc.
In the future, if you want to know which of these you would need to apply to your DIY installation you would need to spend a few hundred $$$ buying the standard, then who knows how much more making your little solar panel comply with complicated rules.
Presently (in the 2012 version of the standard), solar arrays of less than 240 Watts and less than 50 Volts are outside the scope of the standard - which is sensible as such modules are not especially hazardous. The draft standard will remove this restriction for fixed modules, and only allows PORTABLE arrays to be exempt. So your solar powered pocket calculator will not need lightning protection and danger signs, but your solar powered illuminated street number might.
If you would like to have your say on this topic, go to this web address and find AS5033 and leave some comments:
Here are more instructions for leaving comments:
You need to create an account to read the draft standard and make comments, but it is free of charge and your only way to influence these rules.
Chris