I'm renting in North Queensland and set up my own off-grid solar system with two 440W panels and one 550W panel. They charge two 200Ah lithium batteries and power a 2kW inverter that runs a washer, dryer, and deep freezer. The system is well-fused and wired appropriately, but my landlord's insurance says they won't cover a fire risk because it's DIY and requires certification for safety. A friend who owns an electrician business assured me that since my setup isn't connected to the house's electrical system, it's not considered an electrical installation by Australian standards. I've talked to the real estate, but they still insist on certification. Is there a way to get this certification that seems to be non-existent, or do I have to dismantle it and face higher energy bills?
3 Answers
In some places, like Norway, solar setups above a certain wattage, like 200W, need certification, even if they're off-grid. It's realistic that your landlord might just want to cover their bases by requiring this for insurance. It could help to look into local regulations to see if you actually need a certified electrician to give it a look and sign off on it. That might give your landlord peace of mind too!
The certification requirements can be tricky! Usually, it involves getting a licensed electrician involved to check your setup and sign off on it, much like you mentioned it works in the States. Every region has its own rules, so it might be wise to check with local authorities or a qualified electrician to see how to get an official review or even certification for your DIY work.
It sounds like your landlord could be a bit overcautious about your setup. Since it's technically under ELV laws, as your electrician friend pointed out, there's a case to be made for its safety. If they seem rigid, you might need to weigh the options of either finding out more about actual certification paths or possibly removing the system if it's not feasible to comply.