Some defects found when inspecting badly installed solar. If you suspect your system was shoddily installed, you should book an inspection ASAP. But how often should your system be maintained/inspected if you used a reputable installer?
Is getting your panels inspected worth the expense? In the end, it comes down to how safe you really consider your rooftop solar to be.
How Safe is Rooftop Solar?
If you ever drive or ride in a car of your own free will, then it probably makes sense for you to consider rooftop solar safe.
Each year, the average Australian has about a 1 in 20,000 chance of dying in a car accident. But as far as I am aware, no one in Australia has ever died from a faulty solar system. Oh, sure, some installers may have fallen off roofs and some do-it-yourselfers may have managed to electrofry themselves, but I don’t believe anyone has ever died as the result of a fault in an installed system.
This is a pretty impressive result given the number of shonky installers Australia used to have (and, unfortunately, in some areas, still has).
At the start of this year around 17.2% of Australian households had rooftop solar1. This made for a grand total of over 1.6 million systems. On average, each home has had solar for 4.8 years, which comes to a total of over 7.7 million years without a fatality and that’s not bad.
Safety Issues To Consider
Unfortunately, rooftop solar is not perfectly safe. Anything with live current running through it can be dangerous if damaged or defective and solar systems are no exception. Fires have resulted from faults and, while most have been small, some have resulted in whole buildings being burned to bits.
While solar systems have no moving parts to wear out, problems that can potentially occur include:
- Deterioration of cable insulation over time.
- Failure of defective components.
- Components filling with water.
- Corrosion.
- Animals chewing on cables.
- Damage from natural disasters such as earthquakes, bush fires, and storms.
- Damage from home renovations.
- Incompetent installation.
- DC isolator fires.
Having a professional inspect a system can result in problems being identified and rectified before they become a danger.
DC Solar Is Extremely Safe But AC Solar Is Safer
Most rooftop solar systems have a string inverter. This is basically a box that hangs on a wall and is connected to rooftop solar panels by one or more cables called strings. These cables send DC power from the panels to the inverter which changes it into the AC power homes use.
The drawback of string inverters is DC power isn’t as safe as AC power.
While any kind of electrical cabling can be dangerous if it becomes damaged, a DC cable is much more likely to arc than an AC cable. And I’m not talking about the good sort of ark that kills Nazis at the end of an Indiana Jones movie. I’m talking about the sort that can potentially burn your house down and which looks like this:
The danger of a DC arc occurring in a system that has a string inverter is the main safety reason why I would recommend ever having an inspection.
Rooftop DC Isolator Fires
Rooftop DC isolators are switches Australian Standards require to aid our brave fire fighters in their struggle against fire. Unfortunately, these fire-fighting devices have the rather horrible habit of starting fires themselves. Roofs are pretty harsh environments and if isolator switches aren’t built tough enough, they start to deteriorate from exposure to the elements until they become flaming dangerous.
Rooftop isolators are often the weakest link in the entire solar system.
While many of these fires have been confined to just the isolator or the area immediately around it, there have been some that have branched out to burn down entire houses. Isolator fires are particularly dangerous if the wind blows leaves and twigs from nearby trees onto the roof and they collect under the solar system and provide some convenient tinder to set the roof ablaze.
This is what happens when an isolator catches fire. This one was obviously not on the roof.
There have been both mandatory and voluntary recalls of DC isolators. Most were recalled before 2015, so if your system is reasonably new, the isolators are likely to be reliable, although it’s probably still not a good idea to trust them. Not all of the ones that are known to have problems have been replaced and this is something an installer can check when they inspect your system.
Microinverters Have A Safety Advantage
Microinverters are little inverters that are either built into solar panels or installed underneath them. Because they directly change the DC power produced by panels into the AC power homes use, there are no cables carrying DC power about the place and so far less a chance of the arc-angel of death popping round for a visit. There is also no need for rooftop DC isolator switches, with their nasty habit of immolating themselves.
While damaged AC cables are definitely still dangerous, they are much less dangerous than damaged DC cables. A solar system that uses microinverters is really no more deadly than any other electrical item in your home. And possibly less so, because there are no moving parts. They also have the advantage that they can usually be easily monitored online and if they fail, normally only the output of one panel will be lost.
Inspections: How Much And How Often?
The going rate for an inspection by an accredited solar installer is typically $200 to $300. For that money, they will check the connections, cables, panels, rooftop mounting, DC isolator switches, and inverter. Some offer to do extra tests for extra money as part of a premium service, but as far as safety is concerned, I don’t think the extra expense is worth the benefit.
I have been told by an installer the Clean Energy Council recommends an inspection every five years. However, an advertisement for rooftop solar inspections told me the Clean Energy Council recommends annual inspections.
Who to believe?
What the Clean Energy Council actually thinks, I don’t know. If they had a strong opinion, you would think they would have put it on their site somewhere, but I can’t see it.
What do I think? Well, if you’re going to get it done, I would suggest getting an inspection every five years.
So Do You Gamble And Forgo An Inspection Or Not?
Three particular circumstances in which I would recommend an inspection are:
- When you’re moving into a new home that has a “mysterious” solar system.
- When you suspect your system was installed by shonks.
- When you live in an area where you’re required to have an anti-islanding test.
New Home Has Solar? Consider An Inspection.
When you move into a new home that has a solar system installed, the former owners might leave you a wealth of information about it or they may be able to tell you nothing. Some people don’t even know they have solar. If you end up the owner of a string inverter system that is full of mystery and potentially full of faults, then it could be a good idea to have it inspected because you can’t be certain what condition it is in or whether or not it was installed by shonks.
Think Your Installion Was Shonky? Consider An Inspection.
The best way to ensure your installers aren’t shonky is to use reliable installers in the first place.
But mistakes are made, snaky salespeople can be persuasive, and people fall for deals that seem too good to be true and which turn out to be exactly that. If you suspect shonks have done a shoddy job of installing your system, it may pay to have it inspected.
Anti-islanding Test Required? Ask About An Inspection
In Canberra and Victoria, solar households can be required by their network operator to have an anti-islanding test done every five years. This is designed to keep the grid and anyone who might be working on it during a blackout safe. But since you will have to pay for an accredited installer to come out anyway, you may as well see if you can have your solar system inspected at the same time.
[Update 22 February: As Steven Zilm has pointed out in the comments, according to SA Power Networks Small Embedded Generation Technical Guidelines 2013, rooftop solar systems have to be inspected and maintained at least every 5 years. The exact wording is from section 4.6 is:
“ensure that the small-embedded generating unit is inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If there are no applicable manufacturer’s instructions within at least 5 years after the date of installation and within 5 years after each previous inspection;”
And it goes on to say:
“ensure that the customer’s employees, servants or agents who carry out any electrical maintenance function on the small-embedded generation installation or any other part of the customer’s electrical equipment are appropriately qualified and licensed to perform such work.”
This means SA Power Networks could disconnect you from the grid if your rooftop system hasn’t been maintained within the past 5 years. Other network operators could have similar provisions hidden away in their technical guidelines.]
If You Want The Satisfaction…
If you are so inclined, and you have two or three hundred dollars to spare, you can afford to have your rooftop solar system serviced. When I say serviced, I’m not talking about a cursory check by someone so unskilled they’re unaware installing solar panels upside down is a bad idea. I am talking about a good service performed by a professional who will check out your system in detail to make sure everything is working properly, and above all, safely.
If, on the other hand, you don’t have the dollars to spare, take the main safety factor into account – inverters.
Microinverters have a safety advantage over string inverters. If you have a solar system that uses microinverters, doing without rooftop solar inspections is really no more dangerous than doing without inspections for other electrical devices in your home.
If, however, like the majority of solar households, you have a string inverter, then, regardless of how tightfisted you are, it is probably a good idea to have your system inspected about every five years.
Now it is quite possible someone reading this article will say,
“Hey, Ronald! You said no one in Australia has ever been killed by a faulty solar system, but you still recommend inspections every five years anyway. That makes no sense! Looking at the figures you gave, at a rough guess, paying for an inspection may only have around a one in two million chance of saving a life. This means if an inspection costs $250 then the cost of saving one life would be around $500 million. If I can instead save a life for around $4,400 by fighting malaria, it would be over 110,000 times more cost effective.”
Well, in response to that, I would say, “You’re right.”
Also, I would ask, “Are we related?” because you’re thinking like me and that’s always disturbing.
The fact is, when I came up with my recommendation to have solar systems inspected every five years, I was trying to think like a normal person. It wasn’t easy, but I persevered. Normal people seem to enjoy doing things that keep their families safe even when the cost/benefit ratio is ridiculously poor. They get a sense of satisfaction from it.
In truth, I don’t get that sense of satisfaction. And I’d say that’s probably the number one reason why I keep getting divorced. I’m fairly sure it’s not my smell.
Paying for rooftop solar inspections will help protect your property against fire, so it does have other advantages, but it’s not very cost effective and, unless you have a reason to suspect your solar system has a problem, you are not putting your family at any significant risk if you don’t have them done.
When it comes to saving human lives, you are probably better off paying to distribute mosquito nets, trading in your car for one with a higher safety rating, joining a gym, or paying someone to remove the crocodile from your living room.
But the final choice is down to you. If you want the sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing you’ve done something to keep your family safe, even if it is only a very small thing, then ensure your solar system is in good working order – have your system inspected.
Footnotes
- Around 17.2% of Australian had rooftop PV at the start of 2017. The percentage with solar PV or solar hot water is considerably higher, but I don’t have enough information at the moment to work out an exact figure. ↩
About Ronald Brakels
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Modern Solar needs to take its place at the list of shonky installers. If you send me your email address I’ll email you the photos of what they did at my place.
You can send me photos at [email protected]
Hi Ronald, the photo of the panels on the tiled roof happen to be mine.
Was installed 2010 & still working well, has never been inspected in all that time.
Did I send my drone over your house?
Drone, trained fruit bat, same thing really.
But I am glad to hear you haven’t had any problems with your system.
Hey Ronny,
I think you may have missed an important one… In the SAPN distribution network, this is the LAW….
4.6 Compliance and monitoring
The Embedded Generator is responsible for and must:
· maintain the electrical installation at the supply address in a safe condition;
· ensure that the small-embedded generating unit is inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If there are no applicable manufacturer’s instructions within at least 5 years after the date of installation and within 5 years after each previous inspection;
Thanks for pointing this out. I only read the pamphlet SAPN put out and it made no mention of this, which I think is a bit of an oversight:
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0ahUKEwiy_OWriqHSAhWME7wKHbL9DGEQFggbMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sapowernetworks.com.au%2Fpublic%2Fdownload.jsp%3Fid%3D13348&usg=AFQjCNEho6BjwJL_0Y_dl02FMg2NodY_2g
does it part of post sales procedure for inspection and maintenance of solar panel?
I have found the relevant documentation, SAPN’s Small Embedded Generation Technical Guidelines, and updated the article.
It will be interesting to see if SA Power Networks do start going around and checking to see if households have had their rooftop solar systems inspected within the last 5 years and disconnecting them from the grid if they haven’t. It might increase the sales of battery storage.
Hi Ronald:
You mentioned in your article about panels being installed upside down. I expect your comment was tonge-n-cheek that the panel are facing the roof.
My question is, my panels have the serial number listed on the high side of the panel, are these panels upside down? Should the serial number be at the bottom of the slope? Asking because my Trina panels are getting a lot of water stains inside and some areas look like the wires inside are cut through or shorted (not burnt). Are solar panels sealed all around, so it doesn’t matter which way they are installed.
Is there anything I can do to stop this water intrusion? I sent pictures to Trina Solar and this is their reply: “The photos provided show’s a phenomenon called “Snail Trail” or “Black line”. Trina understand that this issue is only aesthetic and should not affect the module production.”
Is this a true statement and should I be concerned?
Thanks
Skipper, there should be no problem mounting modern panels upside down, that is, with the junction box at the bottom of the slope. The panel and its junction box are supposed to be extremely water resistant and so it shouldn’t matter which way around it goes. However, just to be on the safe side, it is probably a good idea to put the junction box at the top of the slope as this will stop water collecting where the cables come out of the junction box. This extra precaution shouldn’t be necessary and I don’t think you have much to worry about, but I would say it is still a good idea, just in case.
But it is not water that has caused those marks on your solar panels. Snail trails on solar panels are caused by Potential Induced Degradation or PID, which is basically damaged caused to the solar panels by electricity not going where it is supposed to go. It does not happen in well designed panels. The snail trails will degrade performance and the damage can start off slowly and then accelerate. If it is bad enough to break the wires (busbars) that cross the solar cells then it seems particularly advanced. If wires are broken, it’s not just aesthetic.
Unfortunately, it is very common for solar panel companies to refuse to replace panels that suffer from snail trails unless they have deteriorated enough for their performance warranty to cover it.
In my opinion, because no reasonable person would have bought a solar panel if they new it would develop snail trails, I think it is reasonable for Trina to provide a replacement or refund. I also think there is a good chance a consumer tribunal would agree with me, but involving one of them would take time and effort. (But could still be worth it.)
One thing you can do is keep track of your system’s performance and if it drops low enough then your written warranty will apply. Of course, they may then only replace the worst panel and leave the others there.
FAULTY PANELS… you really need to read the fine print when it comes to panel warranty. JA Solar has a major problem with snail trails marks under the surface glass and on top of the cells of their panels. JA Solar say it doesn’t affect the output of the system which i do not believe, only after 3 years so you can imagine what they will look like after 10 or 20 years let alone their performance.
The individual tests from each panel from over a long period they want from your installer to accompany the claim will cost you more than the original cost of the system. JA Solar Aus virtually didn’t want to know about it and were no help at all. The defective panels have to be sent back to the manufacturer CHINA… guess who pays for shipping. IF found they are faulty and the replacement panels shipped to Aus… guess who pays the shipping. DISGUSTING.
So basically there is NO warranty for performance or workmanship on these panels and it sounds like JA SOLAR are not the only panel that has this problem. 25 YEAR WARRANTY MEANS NOTHING
“They get a sense of satisfaction from it.”
….picking scabs, too.
ps….. I inspect my solar panels every time I come through the front gate.
(I have those sorts of neighbours.)
Hi
when I had my install ETSA “Small Energy Generator Terms” page 3, item 7 clearly establishes a legal obligation to have inspected no more than every 5 years.
“7. Your responsibilities while your Small Embedded Generating Unit is connected
7.1. While your Small Embedded Generating Unit is connected to our Distribution Network at
your Generation Address , you must:
(a) ensure your Small Embedded Generating Unit is inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and specifications by an appropriately qualified person, with a view to ensuring that it remains safe and functional;
(b) if there are no applicable manufacturer’s instructions and specifications for the purposes of clause 7.1(a), ensure your Small Embedded Generating Unit is inspected and maintained:
within at least 5 years after the date of installation of your Small Embedded Generating Unit ; and
(i)
(ii) within at least 5 years after each previous inspection.”
So if your are on the old 44cent scheme you may want to continue the inspections.
as it also stipulates
(d) provide us with the results of any inspections carried out in accordance with clause 7.1(a) or clause 7.1(b);
(e) comply with all directions in this Agreement regarding the maintenance and inspection of your Small Embedded Generating Unit;
(f) ensure that any electrical work performed on or in relation to your Small Embedded Generating Unit is undertaken by a licensed electrical contractor lawfully permitted to do such work and you make a copy of any relevant Certificates of Compliance available to us;
so this may provide SA POWER with an out for Breach of contract.
Hi,
Can you recommend some reputable brands of DC isolators?
My potential installer uses ZJ Beny DC isolators. I’ve never heard of these and don’t know if they are good.
I worry due to the recent stories about fires caused by DC isolators and the recalls.
Thank you
Unfortunately with DC isolators it is more a case of finding out which are the bad ones after the fact than knowing ahead of time which are good. Even if they pass testing with flying colours it impossible to be 100% certain how they’ll handle years of exposure to the elements on a roof. I can tell you ZJ Beny DC isolators are not one of the prohibited ones and many installers use them. They appear to have a good reputation. Since they are widely used, if they had a problem, hopefully that would have come to light by now.
Hi, I still can’t believe that the so called experts from both the electrical and solar industry insist in their standards that we put a DC Isolator on our rooftops.
The DC Isolator is the least reliable part of the solar system and we put them in the most hostile environment in this this sunny country of ours.
While most manufacturers state that the enclosure that they supply is UV resistant I have never seen one that is UV Proof.
Usually after 4-5 years of direct exposure to sunlight they are so brittle that one small tap and they fall apart and generally they are full of water due to cracking. I have experienced this.
Putting a cover over them does not stop the effect of UV light, it lessens the effect and increases the time for the same result.
If the powers that be claim it is for safety then the don’t know much about Photovoltaics.
The rooftop Isolator when turned to the off position disconnects the power going to the isolator at the Inverter and the Inverter shuts down, it does not deactivate the generating capacity of the panels. While there is light falling on the panels they provide a potential and this can be up to 600 volts on a domestic system and up to 1000 volts on a commercial system.
That potential is there all of the time whether the Isolator is off or on and it will bight you all of the time.
The only way to stop this potential is to cover the panels completely.
After the roof insulation debacle we as Electricians have been constantly reminded to turn the power off when entering a roof space and we have been given stickers to place on manhole covers to remind all and sundry to turn off the power before entering the roof space..
Turn the system off before climbing on the roof. In an emergency you don’t need to be running up to 20 metres to turn off the roof Isolator only to find that it doesn’t kill the power and the Isolator falls apart in your hand and gives you a boot as well.
DC is a powerful source of energy it will kill you and burn you.
Off all the signage that we put on a Solar System we don’t have to erect one that says to turn the system off before going on to the roof.
We should have the clause or clauses that say we should be installing Isolators on rooftops totally removed and a requirement for altered signage for the systems.
This is especially relevant in far North Queensland as we can have up to nearly two peak sun hours per day more then Tasmania
Hello everyone, I have a question?
It is compulsory for a Solar system to be inspected and maintained every 2 years by an accredited solar electrician?
The reason I ask is it’s stated in the T’s & C’s of a Company who is quoting me on a 5KW solar system where I’m required to pay $200 every 2 years for an inspection as part of the warranty.
Hello David
You can be required to have your system inspected every 5 years by your DNSP (Distributed Network Service Provider) but, as far as I am aware, not every two years.
Whenever you purchase something in Australia for under $40,000 you are protected by Australian consumer guarantees that apply no matter what written or verbal warranties you were give and they will still apply if you do not have the system serviced every two years.
HI Ronald
we have also just received a quote where it is stated we must have the system serviced every 2 years in to maintain warranty. This is irrespective of the safety check needed for SAPN.
Customers have the responsibility to maintain their energy system in good condition as per approval issued from their distributor and in accordance with the manufacturer specifications. Customers should arrange for an energy system safety check on a regular basis at a minimum once every 2 years, in accordance with provided maintenance documentation after final payment of invoice and after commissioning the energy system.
https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/consumers/maintenance-and-warranties
The customer is required to service the energy system at their own cost”. Said Solar Company “technician must be engaged for the service works to maintain the energy system lifetime warranty.”
Hello Karyn
I find the requirement to have the system serviced every two years to have the warranty maintained very worrying. If you can tell me the name of company I’ll look into it. (If you don’t want to discuss it here you can email me: [email protected])
Hello Ronald,
Thank you for the info, I did believe it was compulsory to pay someone $200 every 2 years for the next 25 years. This is what is written on their T’s & C’s.
11. Back to base Warranty
You agree $200+ GST will be charged to You every 2 years for service on parts and warranty. This is known as a ‘back to base’ warranty. It is compulsory for a Solar system to be inspected and maintained every 2 years by an accredited solar electrician.
Seems like a bit of lie to get a little extra cash.
Let me know your Distributed Network Service Provider (it should be on your electricity bill) and I will look up their requirements.
Hi Dave,
Is there a preferred way to clean roof top solar panels? Ours Have been up for a couple of years now and have a covering of dust on them.
Cheers
Aaron
Hello Aaron, Ronald here.
The easiest way to clean your panels is to have a professional do it. But if you want to try yourself I have written an article on cleaning panels, although I don’t recommend going up on the roof because of the danger of an accident:
https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/how-to-clean-solar-panels/
A question for Ronald…
If the isolators are outside the building envelope why aren’t they required to be made of a plastic that is ultraviolet resistant.
Shouldn’t manufacturers make components that are fit for purpose? Shouldn’t they offer one for inside the house and outside?
This would add a small cost to the solar system and make it safer.
Shouldn’t the electrical authorities be addressing this problem.
If not them should it find its way into AS3000 where the basics of electrical safety should be.
This seams to be a pretty important point anywhere in the world but it seems that the authorities are asleep at the wheel. I am sure all your readers can follow the logic so why not the people who get paid the big salaries?
So does someone have to die before any action is taken. Kids died installing insulation bats in the roof and this is a far more dangerous current than the 240 volts in your roof (8-13 amps I think).
Someone must be responsible? The codes committee, Electrical Authorities, the Clean Energy Council, the installer or the company selling the system?
When I asked the company installing my system about DC fires they fobbed me off saying it was safe in Australia. I think the answer came from ignorance and no regulations to force them into safe practices.
PeterB
There are definitely rules and guidelines on using appropriate DC isolators. The question is if we need DC isolators on the roof at all as they are a weak point. New Zealand has basically identical guidelines to Australia except for not needing rooftop DC isolators and this only seems to have worked to their advantage.
When installed according to standards DC solar is safe — or at least as safe as any other large electrical device, such as an air conditioner. I personally am fine with it. But if you want extra piece of mind you can use microinverters or a system that is able to detect faults and shutdown.
The rule for DC isolators on the roof doesn’t come from a necessity but rather than a rule which says you must isolate equipment at the source. Some electricians have said that it is for the fire brigade to turn off the power to the inverter! Who in their right mind would go up on top of a roof to isolate a PV system when the building is burning.
There is a DC isolator next to the inverter on the outside of the house wall.
The DC isolator on the roof is the worst place to put it exposed to the sun.
AS3000 may delete this requirement in the next revision..
So in my mind I agree with NZ – were are better off without them on the roof.
The lack of certification by a professional checker is the big problem which should be addressed.
I’d be interested if anyone in SA has actually been contacted by SAPN about compliance with their 5 year inspection rule.
My 1st array went up in 2000 and upgrade in 2008 before they started tracking rooftop solar seriously. Neither has rooftop isolators.
I’m guessing if I were to arrange an inspection, I would be required to add rooftop isolators to comply.
I think I will pretend I didn’t read this and take the old “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” approach.
I recently bought a house in the country with 1kw of solar panels. I’m apparently on a 55c feed in, but my bill for past 3 months is showing a $3 credit – 6 kw exported. Where do I go to understand this? Does this seem correct?
Hello Peta
While a one kilowatt solar system is very small by today’s standards, if it was working properly I would definitely expect you to get more than $3 in solar feed-in tariff on your electricity bill. Unless your electricity use during the day is very high I would expect it to provide you with an average of at least 55 cents a day in solar feed-in tariff and maybe $1 a day on average through the year.
You can check if there is any documentation on the system as the original installers may still be around. There could also be information on what warranties it may have.
If you want someone to check it we can arrange that through our site. Just go to our homepage:
https://www.solarquotes.com.au/
And enter your postcode in the space at the top right. Then click on “Maintenance or upgrade of an existing system” on the right. Then click on “Repair/Maintenance”. Then, provided there is someone in your area who is willing to inspect and repair systems, they will get in touch with you.
If you have any problems let us know and we will arrange to put someone in touch with you directly.