SOLAR PANEL CONNECTIVITY

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (15:56): Recently I had a couple come and visit me who were having some problems—and, I might say, some significant problems—connecting their solar power panels to the electricity grid. The couple had decided to have solar panels installed and connected to the grid, because they felt very strongly about doing their bit for the environment to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Unfortunately, the couple experienced difficulties from the beginning. Back in October last year, the couple engaged an energy consultant to give them advice on installing a solar power system. The couple live in a strata title unit, so there were other issues that needed to be resolved before they could proceed with the new solar installation. Obviously, they needed approval from the strata corporation, and this required at least two-thirds of the unit holders to approve of the installation via a special resolution of the strata corporation. I am pleased to say that was done.

The couple's unit faces north but, unfortunately, their unit did not have enough north-facing roof to enable the installation of solar panels, so the consultant suggested that the western-facing roof would, at a pinch, enable the installation of six 155 watt solar panels, albeit that the panels would be less efficient than if they were facing north.

Based on the assessment of the consultant, the couple proceeded with the quotation and received approval from the federal Department of Environment and Water for the government rebate of $7,440. They also received, through the consultant, a letter from ETSA stating that they had permission to connect the grid interactive inverter and solar panels installation to ETSA's distribution network.

In early December, an electrician was contracted by the energy consultant, and he came to install the solar system. He identified immediately that there would be problems in installing the panels on the western-facing roof and suggested that the eastern-facing roof would be more suitable. The electrician even suggested that the solar panels would be more efficient on this side of the roof, as higher temperatures can diminish the efficiency of the solar panels.

This presented the couple with a dilemma, as they had actually sought and received approval from the strata corporation to place the panels on the western roof but not the eastern side. Eventually that problem was resolved. The change of placement for the solar panels did cause the couple some trepidation, but they were assured by the energy consultant and electrician that all would be okay. By doing that, it allowed the couple to have a number of additional panels installed which, I have to say, pleased them greatly.

When the electrician began putting the warning signs in the meter box, he expressed a vague concern that the meter box might be a little small, but he said that he would discuss that with ETSA. For a number of reasons, there was a delay with ETSA in attending to install the import-export meter, and it was only then that the couple found out for the first time that there was a problem installing the meter. It appears that the existing meter box was of a special type, a moulded internal construction made for a particular meter very common in strata units, whereas the additional import/export meter is actually quite large. Obviously it would not fit in there, so they had more worry and had to approach the strata corporation again to seek approval to have an additional box cut into the wall.

The experience this couple has had to endure clearly shows that there can be significant pitfalls when choosing to install a grid-connected power system. One would have thought that if a proper assessment of the installation had been done by the energy consultant at the initial inspection stage most of the trauma experienced by the couple could have been avoided. Thankfully, I am very pleased to say that the problems have now all been resolved and the couple is very happy with the system.

However, I suggest that people request a full and proper examination of the site at which they are to have the panels installed, and also ensure that their meter box is of a size that will take the import/export meter (although I assume that those in most homes would be of that size). I believe it is very important that people have a proper assessment of their site. I am about to have solar panels installed and the inspection of my place, as far as I understand it, is by a Google search to find out if our roof size is big enough. So, be warned.