Solar PV self install ?

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axxaa

64 posts

Master Geek

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#237551 7-Jun-2018 12:57

Apologies. This has probably been asked before. Wonder if anybody has installed a Solar PV System themselves, rather than using Harrisons etc. I'm aware that the connection to the house switchboard will have to be done via a certified Electrician.

If so, wonder what gear you used, and general thoughts are.

Cheers

tripper1000

1617 posts

Uber Geek

#2031447 7-Jun-2018 14:51

I hooked up a 300watt system with a grid tied inverter from AliX and got into a bit of strife after the meter reader noticed. It is now disconnected.

I live in the Vector lines network area and there is a bunch of rules to be complied with:

1) The inverter has to be an approved model - it can't be anything you got of AliX. Vectors website lists the approved models and the ANZS. I believe many of the AliX ones would comply with the applicable ANZS, however they need to be Lab tested and certified to comply before you can legally connect them.

2) The installation has the electrician certified as stated.

3) The address has to be registered on a government database of "unsafe electrical installations" (I'm assuming it is potentially unsafe to lines-men??).

4) You must have a return (?) meter installed, and if not, you need a dispensation (from a government department somewhere).

For me it wasn't worth it for a 300watt system. I did it as a bit of experiment to 1) make use of solar panels I got for free, 2) see if it could be worthwhile going larger and decided it wasn't.

tripper1000

1617 posts

Uber Geek

#2031457 7-Jun-2018 15:00

Had a dig through my email an dug out these links that I was bashed with:

It was the "Hi Risk" not "unsafe" database.

https://www.energysafety.govt.nz/energysafety/app/highrisk-db/home

Vectors Rules. Your lines network will have similar rules.

https://www.vector.co.nz/personal/solar-old/connecting-your-generation-to-our-network/10kw-or-less

Some useless and generic info but I believe this is the department that gives the dispensation if I don't want a return meter for my 300watt system.

https://www.ea.govt.nz/consumers/how-do-i-generate-my-own-electricity/

Aredwood

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2032345 8-Jun-2018 20:40

Been there, done that. But my system is only 12V based, and due to its design, it is physically impossible for it to export power to the grid. It is mainly to keep the backup batteries that run my router, WiFi etc. Charged during an extended power outage.

It will still save a very small amount on my power bill. Due to my battery charger not needing to use as much power.

If you want a grid connect system- just get an electrician in. And offer to do the grud work for him.

Edit to add.

The smart meters can detect exported power. And are normally programmed so that power flowing in either direction will make the reading go up. So if you do try to install a grid connect system on the sly, it will actually make your power bills more expensive.

SATTV

1648 posts

Uber Geek

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#2032352 8-Jun-2018 21:07

Also keep in mind any work over 50 volts AC or 120 volts ripple-free DC is required to be done by an electrician even if it is on private property and not connected to the grid.

There are several electricians who specialize on solar these days so you dont have to go through Harrisons / HRV etc. in saying that they are installing systems day in day out and would be going through a lot of product and I would expect they would get volume discounts.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

MichaelNZ

1388 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Integrity Tech Solutions

#2032369 8-Jun-2018 21:51

I have done it myself and gotten it signed off by an Electrical Inspector. An Electrical Inspector is not generally an electrician, but they have an electrican's license. They need to sign off "high risk" work whether done by a homeowner or a licensed electrician. In the case of solar, the "high risk" classification is due to the solar array and DC component.

So what is required?

1. You must own the place and be working on your residence - ie: not a house you are renting to someone or commercial instalation.

2. You must abide by the same regulations as an electrician. At minimum this will be AS/NZS 5033 (Solar arrays) and AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring standards). Additional standards are applicable in the case of battery banks - ie: off grid or hybrid systems.

3. All of the items you use must comply with relevant electrical regs and you will need to furnish the SDocs (Supplier Declaration of Comformity) to the Electrical Inspector.

4. You will need a good understanding of the principles of mains wiring and DC wiring. One example of a long list - Do you know what equipotential bonding is? The electrical inspector will check you have this right (It's on the ROI certificate).

5. You must be a sucker for details and doing it "by the book".

Now here's the catch - do not under-estimate the amont of work and study required to meet point 2. The regs are long, confusing in parts and quite frankly, unless you have someone in the industry willing to help you with advice, you will be pushing the proverbial uphill.

Even getting ahold of the regs can require a bit of ingenuity. I will leave working that one out up to you.

So in summary, it can be done. But at things stand at the moment, I am the only intividual non-electrician I am aware of who has managed to pull it off.

If you are the sort of person who has the "she'll be right" attitude, a jackass, or want to argue with professional advice, give up now. I'm not saying you are, but I am cynical after contributing to many forums on this subject.

Disclaimer - I am not a professional and you must make your own enquiries.

WFH Linux Systems and Networks Engineer in the Internet industry | Specialising in Mikrotik | APNIC member | Open to job offers

elbrownos

109 posts

Master Geek

#2033494 11-Jun-2018 09:08

SATTV:

Also keep in mind any work over 50 volts AC or 120 volts ripple-free DC is required to be done by an electrician even if it is on private property and not connected to the grid.

That's nonsense. You can do all sorts of mains electrical work yourself, as long as you don't work on the switchboard.

https://worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/consumers/safe-living-with-electricity/getting-electrical-work-done/doing-your-own-electrical-work/

elpenguino

3423 posts

Uber Geek

#2036367 14-Jun-2018 09:57

elbrownos:

SATTV:

Also keep in mind any work over 50 volts AC or 120 volts ripple-free DC is required to be done by an electrician even if it is on private property and not connected to the grid.

That's nonsense. You can do all sorts of mains electrical work yourself, as long as you don't work on the switchboard.

https://worksafe.govt.nz/managing-health-and-safety/consumers/safe-living-with-electricity/getting-electrical-work-done/doing-your-own-electrical-work/

That's true and householders have a document called ECP51 to search for and study as a quick start guide.

Unfortunately ECP51 is aimed at the level of DIY batten holder and broken light switch changes rather than PV work so it won't give you much detail.

One of the main things to bear in mind is that you need to get your electrician on board early so you don't end up with a mess that no one wants to finish off for you.

I would agree with the earlier statement that the regs are full of cross references and contradictions so studying them will not yield easy answers - but the regs is all we've got so give it a go.

If you don't have a tame sparkie, the regs can be bought online at the standards shop.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

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MichaelNZ

1388 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Integrity Tech Solutions

#2036375 14-Jun-2018 10:03

Don't start the project unless you -

a. Know what you are doing (TBH if you haven't done it before, you won't know what you are doing because a lot of the information out there is the blind leading the blind) -or-

b. Have onside someone who is a professional in the solar industry who will help you out. Your average sparkie does not understand solar.

Here is ECP51 -

https://worksafe.govt.nz/laws-and-regulations/standards/electricity-standards-and-codes-of-practice/

WFH Linux Systems and Networks Engineer in the Internet industry | Specialising in Mikrotik | APNIC member | Open to job offers

TheMantis

142 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#2036465 14-Jun-2018 12:03

MichaelNZ:

An Electrical Inspector is not generally an electrician, but they have an electrican's license. They need to sign off "high risk" work whether done by a homeowner or a licensed electrician.

An Electrical Inspector is almost always a fully qualified and licensed Electrician with substantial real world experience. The exception to this is if the person was a qualified electrical engineer prior to 2010 - there would be very few Electrical Inspectors qualified in this way. In effect, an Electrical Inspector is an Electrician who has decided (and is suitably trained and qualified) to specialise in the testing and compliance elements of electrical work.

ECP 51 is very old and is so out of date it can't really be relied upon. In fact many parts from ECP 51 are cancelled by parts of the Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010.

FYI, the hierarchical order of legislation for compliance purposes is: 1. The Electricity Act 1992, 2.The Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010, 3. Applicable Standards and ECPs.

Other than AS/NZS Standards every other document is available online for free.

Regs=The Electrical (Safety) Regulations 2010, Wiring rules=AS/NZS 3000:2007 - the terms aren't interchangeable.

Don't even bother doing any of your own electrical work without a copy of AS/NZS 3000:2007 as an absolute minimum.