AustralianPV

Association
ABN91006005190

BestPracticeGuidelines
forLocalGovernmentApproval
of(Solar)PhotovoltaicInstallations

June2009 AustralianPVAssociation
ABN:91006005190

92PrincesHwy,LakeTabourie
NSW2539,AUSTRALIA

email:info@apva.org.au
web:www.apva.org.au


CoverPhoto:KyoceraHeybanrooftile

Acknowledgements:

ThisreportwaspreparedbythefollowingmembersoftheAustralianPVAssociation:
LyndonFrearson:CATProjects
MurielWatt:ITPowerAustralia
RobertPassey,MarkSnow:UniversityofNSW
inconjunctionwith:
AndrewNance,MonicaOliphant:StKittsAssociates
ProfessorAdrianBradbrook:SchoolofLaw,UniversityofAdelaide

FundingwasprovidedbytheAustralianGovernmentsLowEmissionsTechnologyandAbatement
RenewablesProgram

IMPORTANTNOTICEPLEASEREAD

TheAustralianPVAssociationacceptsnoliabilityforanyloss,damageorcostincurredasaresultof,orarising
from,relianceonthisdocument.

BestPracticeGuidelinesforLocalGovernmentApprovalof
PhotovoltaicInstallations

WHATAREPHOTOVOLTAICS?

Photovoltaic(PV)systemsproduceelectricityfromsunlight.TheelectricityisproducedbyPVmodulesasdirect
current(dc)andispassedthroughaninvertertoconvertitto240Valternatingcurrent(ac)forstandarduse.The
dc electricity can also be used directly or via battery storage for applications such as street lighting or water
pumping. PV systems should not be confused with solar flat plate or evacuated tube technologies which heat
waterfromthermalenergyfromthesun,alsoreferredtoassolarwaterheaters.

AlthoughCouncilsarenotusuallyinvolvedwithelectricitygeneratingsystems,photovoltaicsareofteninstalled
directlyonbuildings,orusedasareplacementforbuildingelementssuchasroofs,wallsorwindows.Hencetheir
useinurbanareasoverlapswithCouncilresponsibilitiesforbuildingstructures.

PVSunshadesontheCSIROEnergyCentre,Newcastle(Source:R.Corkish)

WHATARETHEBENEFITSOFPHOTOVOLTAICS?

Comparedtootherelectricitygeneratingtechnologies,PViseasytolocateinurbanareas,withashortinstallation
time,andhasnooperatingnoiseandfewaestheticconcerns,alonglifetime,isemissionfreeandhasnoongoing
requirementforfuelorwater.Itoffersawiderangeofpotentialvaluestodifferentpeople:

a building occupier can benefit from reduced power bills, as well as increased self reliance, and
dependingonthesystem,increasedreliabilityofsupply;

a building owner can benefit from visual appeal, green image, enhanced property value and improved
rentalprospects;

electricityutilitiescanbenefitfromreducedpowercostsattimesofpeakload,reducedlinelossesand
deferraloftheneedtoaugmenttheirnetworks;

the broader community can benefit from local employment, reduced power outages or brownouts,
reduced local and global pollution levels, and where the installation is sympathetic to local aesthetics,
fromenhancedpropertyvalues;

thenationcanbenefitfromemploymentcreation,pollutionreduction,andenergyselfreliance.

ENERGYPAYBACKTIMES

The most common myth about PV is that PV does not pay back the energy used to create it. The energy
paybacktimeinwhichtheenergyinputduringthemodulelifecycleiscompensatedbyelectricitygeneratedby
the PV module depends on several factors, including cell technology, PV system application, irradiation, the
sourcesofenergyusedinitsmanufacturingprocessesandtheenergythePVwilldisplace.Alsoimportantis"how
many times the energy invested is returned by the system over its operating life. For a typical 2 kWp rooftop
system, the energy payback time is 2 to 3 years using multicrystalline modules and more than 7.5 times the
energyusedinitsmanufactureisgeneratedovera20yearlife.Forthinfilmmodules,thepaybacktimeishalf
thatofcrystallinemodules,butthelifetimemaybeshorter.
Energyoutput

Netenergyoutput

Manufacturing
energyinput

23 2030yrs
YearsofPhotovoltaicsystemoperation
yrs

INSTALLINGPVSYSTEMS

Inurbanareas,themostcommontypeofPVinstallationisonarooftop.Typically,thePVarrayisplacedflush
withtheroofline,leavingagapofatleast100mmtofacilitateairflowneededforcooling.Foroptimumelectricity
outputthearrayshouldbeplacedonanorthfacingroofatanangleequaltothelatitudeofthelocation.Detailed
latitudeanglesareprovidedinthetablebelowformajorcitiesofAustraliaandhighlightthedifferencebetween
Darwin(12.4o)andHobart(42.8 o),butshowonlya6degreesrangebetweenPerth,Sydney,Adelaide,Canberra
andMelbourne.

TableshowingLatitudeanglesofAustraliancapitalcities

CITY Darwin Brisbane Perth Sydney Canberra Adelaide Melbourne Hobart

Latitude 12.4S 27.5S 31.9S 33.8S 35.2S 34.9S 37.8S 42.8S

To find the latitudes and longitudes of other Australian towns and cities, see Charles Sturt University
http://www.csu.edu.au/australia/latlong/index.html

Suitableroofsurfacesmayofcoursenotfacedirectlynorth,whilemostresidentialroofsareattiltsof20or25
degreesandcommercialroofsat5or10degrees.Thereis,however,scopeforsomedegreeofvariationfromthis
idealwithoutsignificantlyeffectingoutput.Forexample,anortheastfacingroofat20degreesmightresultina
outputbeingreducedbylessthan5%.ForaSydneyrooftop,annualoutputwouldbereducedbyaround15%if
thearrayisfacedeastorwestand35%iffacedsouth,asshowninthechartbelow.Forlowpitchedroofs,the
arraymaybeplacedonaframeorothersupportstructuretoraiseittotheoptimumtiltangle.

Chartforlatitude35SshowingeffectoforientationandtiltonPVoutput(asa%ofoptimum)

FlushmountedPVarrayonaQueenslandSchoolbuilding
(Photo:Ergon)

Rooftop
PV Array

PV Electricity
Output (dc)
Inverter
PV
Electricity PV
Export Electricity
to house
Electricity (ac)
Network
Solar powered
Grid home
Electricity
Import

Layout of a typical grid-connected rooftop PV system

INSTALLATION:WHODOESWHAT?

TheCleanEnergyCouncil(CEC)runsanaccreditationsystemthatcoversboththedesignandtheinstallationofPV
systems. Even licensed electricians need to undertake this accreditation, because dc wiring is not covered in
standard electrical training. In South Australia, installers are required to undertake additional training on roof
inspection,toascertainstructuralintegrity,especiallyforsystemsweighingmorethan100kg.Incycloneareasof
QueenslandandtheNorthernTerritory,additionalrequirementsandinspectionsmayalsobenecessary.Inmost
cases,thePVinstallerwillensurethatallnecessaryarrangementsareinplace.However,somemayleaveittothe
buildingownertoorganisepriortoinstallation.

Forgridconnectedsystems,approvalsmustbereceivedfromtheelectricalnetworkserviceprovider(NSP)forthe
connection.ThismeansthatinvertersapprovedforuseonAustraliangridsmustbeused,theNSPhastoknow
theinstallationhasbeenmadeandthatappropriatesignageandsafetyswitchesareinplaceincaseworkneeds
tobedoneontheelectricitylines.Approvalmustalsobesoughtfromtheelectricityretailer,witharrangements
forpossiblesaleofelectricity,andforinstallationofappropriatemeters.Inmanycases,retailersprovidesmall
systemstheoptionofnetmetering,wherethepriceofelectricityexportedtothegridfromthePVsystemisthe
sameasthatchargedforelectricitypurchasedbythehousehold.Someretailersofferhigherpricesforelectricity
providedbythePVsystemtothegridduringpeakhours.InmanyStates,feedintariffsalsooperate,whereby
exportedpowerispaidahighertariff.ThetariffsvarybyStatesomearepaidnetofhouseholduse(netexport
FiTs),othersforallPVelectricitygenerated(grossFiTs).

Arrangementsandcostsfortheaboveprocessesandmetersvaryfromoneelectricitycompanytoanother,with
somerequiringadditionalinspectionsandfeesandothersrelyingonaccreditedinstallers.

PVmodulesmountedonatiltedframeontheSouthAustralianParliamentHouse
(Photo:SAGovernment)

KEYISSUESFORCOUNCILS

Keyissuesfromadevelopmentassessmentperspectivearethoseofurbanplanningandbuilding:

Willtheinstallationbeconsistentwiththecharacterofthebuildingandlocalareawhereitwillbe
installed?

Willtheinstallationbestructurallysoundinitsownrightandnotcompromisethestructuralintegrityof
thebuildingtowhichitismounted?

In the first case, local government can assist proponents by giving clear guidance on what is required for
Development Approval. Similarly, photos of successful installations can be of great assistance to someone
finalisingthedetailsoftheirinstallation.Differentpanelbrandsandtypeshavedifferentaestheticcharacterand
maybeconsideredmoreorlessappropriateforagiveninstallationdependingonthecharacterofthebuildingon
whichitistobeinstalled,rooftype,colouretc.Photographicexamplescanbeofgreatassistance.

StructuralissuescanbedealtwithinastreamlinedwaythroughadherencetotheBuildingCodeofAustralia,the
use of Australian Standard or Engineer Certified framing systems and recognition of the training and skills of
installersaccreditedbytheBusinessCouncilforSustainableEnergy.

AsmorePVsystemsareinstalled,CouncilsneedtoconsidertheimplicationsofSolarAccessandmaximisingsolar
accessbenefitsinlanduseplanningandLocalEnvironmentPlans(LEPs).Typically,solaraccessismeasuredbythe
numberofhoursthatthesuncanshineontonorthfacingsurfacesbetweenthehoursof9amand3pmonthe
shortestdayoftheyear(wintersolstice,21stJune).Itisimportanttoensurethatbuildingsdonotinfringeonthe
solar access provisions of a neighbouring property. The height of buildings, especially those located on a
propertysnorthernboundary,canbeacriticalfactorinensuringgoodsolaraccess.Neighbourhoodagreements,
suchascovenants,maybeenteredintobetweenpropertyownerstoprotectPVsolaraccess.

To assist in avoiding conflicts, landuse plans can take a lead in promoting good solar access zoning. Well
orientatedlotsenablethefuturebuildingtobemoreenergyefficient,requiringlessartificialheating,coolingand
lightingandalsohavepotentiallygreaterroofspacecorrectlyorientatedforsolarwaterheatersandPVarrays.
Northfacingslopesimproveopportunitiesforsolaraccess;smalllotsarebestsuitedtonorthfacingslopeswith
gradientsoflessthan15%(or1:6).Southfacingslopesimposeapenaltyonsolaraccess;largelotsandlowest
densitiesarethereforebestsuitedtosouthfacingslopes.

Helpfulsolaraccessreferencesareincludedattheendofthisbrochure.

Exampleoflightweight,insulating,selfinterlockingPVrooftileswhichrequirenoroofpenetration(Photo:SunPowerPowerguard )

THEAPPROVALPROCESS

Thefollowingshowsthegeneralplanningprocesstobefollowedforphotovoltaic(PV)systemprocessingin
SouthAustralia.AnyoneplanningtoinstallaPVsysteminSAshouldasktheirinstallerthequestionsinthe
flowcharttodeterminewhatplanningapprovals,ifany,arerequired.

WHENISCOUNCILINVOLVEMENTNOTREQUIRED?

InmostStates,CouncilinvolvementisnotnecessaryforinstallationofstandardPVsystems,aslongasaccredited
installersareusedandsystemsmeetAustralianstandards(seebelow).

SouthAustralia

accredited installers need to have undertaken additional training on verification of the structural
integrityoftheroofifsystemsweighmorethan100kg.

NorthernTerritory

Cycloneareas(within100kmofthecoast)mayneedtofollowrequirementssimilartothoseimposedon
solarwaterheaters.Theserefertocertificationofthestructuralintegrityofthebuildingaswellasusing
productswhicharelistedintheNTdeemedtocomplymanual.

WHENISCOUNCILINVOLVEMENTREQUIRED?

InmostStatesandTerritories,Councilinterventiononlyoccurswhenheritageorsolaraccessissuesarise,orfor
unusual or very large installations. For heritage or conservation areas, Council involvement may only be
necessaryifthePVarraycanbeseenfromthepublicdomain.SolarAccessmaybecomeanissueiftrimmingor
removalofvegetationisinvolved,orifadjoiningbuildingsapplyfordevelopmentswhichwouldshadeexistingPV
installations.

SouthAustralia:

StructuralrequirementsarecontainedintheBuildingRulesConsentguidelines,whichcomplywiththe
BuildingCodeofAustralia.

Development Plan consent for PV installations is restricted to prescribed Heritage Areas and
ConservationZonesandwillrequiresufficientinformationtoinformanassessmentoftheimpactofthe
installationonthecharacterofthebuildingandarea.

Inheritageareas,itcouldbeusefulforCouncilstoprovideexamplesofinstallationtypeswhichwouldbeallowed.
ThesecouldincludespecifictypesofPVwhichblendintotheroofline,arehiddenbehindabuildingelement,are
installedonselfsupportingframesseparatefromthebuilding,oronadjacentbuildings.

Whereroofstructuralstrengthisinquestion,examplesoflightweightmodulesorthoserequiringminimalroof
penetrationshouldbediscussed.

ExampleofPVrooftileswhichblendintoaslateroofandmaybeacceptableinaheritagearea.(Photo:SolarCentury)

WHATCANCOUNCILDO?

Inordertostreamlineprocesses,reducecostsandhenceencouragetheuseofPVinstallations,Councilscould:

ProvidetrainingonPVforCouncilstafflikelytohavetodealwithenquiries

Provide information on PV to ratepayers (see below), including local accredited installers and
componentsapprovedforuseinAustralia

ProvidecleardefinitionsofPVsystemswhichdonotrequireCouncilconsent

ProvideasimpleguidetotheprocessesrequiredforapprovalofPVsystemswhichrequireDAs

Work with other Councils and with Local Government Associations to standardise processes across
CouncilsandStates/Territories

Waivefees

ConsiderpreapprovedPVtypesforheritageareas

Better define elevations from which PV should not be visible in heritage areas, for instance, to allow
installationswhichmaybevisiblefromlittleusedbacklanes

ConsiderfacilitationofbulkpurchasearrangementswhichreducePVcostsforratepayers

Supportmovestostandardiseinsuranceofinstallersandsystems,inlinewithnormalbuildingcodes.

WHATINFORMATIONCANCOUNCILPROVIDE

There is a great deal of community interest in PV and Councils may increasingly be asked for information.
CouncilsshouldbeabletoprovideratepayerswithrelevantinformationonDevelopmentApplications,Heritage
or other requirements. For information on PV systems, the resource list below provides a number of useful
websitesanddocumentswhichratepayersshouldbereferredto.

CouncilsmaywishtohavecopiesofthebookletsElectricityfromtheSun:SolarPVSystemsExplained,SolarPV
SystemsUsersMaintenanceGuideorPhotovoltaicSystems(availablefrom
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs67.html)availableforperusalbyratepayers.

Inaddition,CouncilsmaywishtokeepalistoflocalaccreditedPVdesignersandinstallers.Theuptodatelistof
accreditedinstallersbysuburborpostcodeisavailablefrom
http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/info/AccInstallers%20List%20%20all%20post%20%20090610.pdf.

Ingeneral,CouncilsmaynotwishtoprovideadviceonpriceorPVbrands,butcouldreferenquiriestothelistof
PVmodulesandinvertersapprovedforuseinAustralia:
http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/info/IEC%20PV%20Module%20list%20090626.pdf

http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/info/Inverters%20List%20090526.pdf

Ratepayersshouldbeadvisedtoseekseveralquotes,tocheckforaccreditationandtoascertainwarranty,
insuranceandmaintenanceinformation.

TECHNICALDETAILSOFPHOTOVOLTAICS

Most photovoltaic devices, or solar cells, are manufactured from

semiconductors, which can conduct electricity when electrons are freed
from their atoms using the energy from photons of sunlight: the
photovoltaic effect. Cells are connected to an external circuit to allow
currentflow.Sincethevoltageandcurrentofasinglecellislow,cellsare
usuallyconnectedtogethertocreatesolarmodulesorpanelswiththe Photovoltaiccell
desiredvoltageandcurrent.Similarly,modulesareconnectedtogetherto
formarraysandsystems.

At present most solar cells use semiconductor silicon, which has a

bandgap in the visible spectrum, i.e. can use photons with energy from
sunlighttoreleaseelectrons.Cellscanbeslicedfromasinglelargecrystal
(cSi), or from a cast of multicrystalline silicon (mcSi) material. Cells Photovoltaicmodule

made from single crystal silicon have a higher efficiency then multi
crystallinecells,becausetherearenograinboundariestoblockelectron

flowsortoproviderecombinationsites.However,multicrystallinesilicon
is cheaper and less energy intensive to produce and so has become

increasinglypopular.

Photovoltaicarray
The silicon purification and wafering processes are energy intensive and
one of the main cost components of crystalline Silicon solar cells. The
cellsarecoatedtominimisereflectionoflightoretchedtoincreasereflectionofscatteredlightbackintothecell
andtohencetomaximiseconversionofincominglighttoelectricity.Cellscanbemadebifacial,allowinglightto
enter from both surfaces or they can have rear surface treatment to encourage internal reflection of light and
henceenhancelightcapture.Metallicgridsonthesurfaceofthecellscarrythecurrenttotheexternalcircuit.

Inordertoreducesiliconusageandremovetheexpensiveingotandwaferprocesses,variousmethodsareused
to deposit semiconductor layers as thin films directly onto useable substrates such as glass, metals, such as
roofingsheets,andplasticsofvarioustypes,includingflexiblesheets.Todatethemostsuccessfulofthethinfilm
technologies is that of amorphous silicon, a disordered, noncrystalline allotrope of silicon, which can be
depositedonawiderangeofsubstratesinlowtemperature,continuousprocesses.Amorphoussiliconcellsare
widelyusedinsmallconsumerproducts,suchascalculatorsandwatches.Ingeneral,theyhavenotyetachieved
theefficiencyandstabilitylevelsofcrystallinesiliconmodules,butarefindingagrowingmarketinphotovoltaic
buildingproductsandotherspecialpurposeapplications,aswellasinlargescalesolarpowerstationsorsolar
farmswheretheirlowercostisanadvantage,asitisforotherthinfilmproducts.

Multijunction aSi products, using layers of other materials, including Germanium, silicon carbide and nano
crystallinesilicon,areoftenusedasmeansofincreasingefficiencyandstability.Arangeofnovelconceptsare
underinvestigationandareexpectedtocaptureanincreasingshareofthePVmarketovertime.Someofthese,
suchasnanosiliconcells,aimtocombinethehighefficienciesofcrystallineproductswiththelowmanufacturing
costofthinfilms.Others,suchasorganiccellsuseentirelydifferentprocessesandmayformthebasisofverylow
costPVproducts,evenifefficienciesremainrelativelylow.ThesetechnologiesmayprovideanewrangeofPV
applications,builtintoconsumerproducts,clothingorbuildingmaterialsandreplacingbatteriesinawiderange
ofappliances.

ENERGYOUTPUT

TheenergyproducedbythePVsystemwilldependonthetechnology,thelocationandhowclosetheinstallation
is to optimum orientation. There are several important factors that impact on or can be used to improve the
energyoutputfromPVsystems.

TypicalOutputfrom1kWofgridconnectedPVinstalledattheappropriateorientationandinclination

1. Since PV modules rely on energy from the sun, the most important factor impacting performance is the
amount of sunlight falling on the module. Hence, systems in sunny clear areas will generate more power
thanthoseinlocationswithlesssun.Theoutputfromtypicalsystemsisshownabove.

2. BecausePVmodulesaremadeupofinterconnectedcells,shadingonevenasmallpartofamodulecanmean
that no current flows through and the annual system output is disproportionately impacted. Similarly,
depending on how the array is wired, shading of a single module may mean no current flows through the
entirearray.Shadingcanoccurfromadjacentbuildings,trees,chimneys,powerpoles,satellitedishesorany
other obstruction at roof height. A small amount of shading early morning or late afternoon may be
tolerable,butshadingofanypartofthearrayduringpeakdaylighthoursshouldbeavoided.
3. TheoutputofsiliconPVmodulesreducesastemperatureincreases.AmorphousSiliconPVmoduleshavea
lowertemperaturecoefficientthancrystallineproducts,resultinginlessoutputdegradationandtherefore
relativelygreaterenergyyieldsathighertemperatures.ThetemperatureofaPVmodulecanbekeptaslow
as possible by ensuring that the mounting method allows adequate ventilation at the rear of the module.
This is more of an issue for rooftop and building integrated PV than it is for field arrays, since the former
havemorerestrictedrearventilation.
4. Amorphoussiliconandotherthinfilmproductshaveadifferentspectralresponsetothatofcrystallinesilicon
products,someperformingbetterincloudyconditionswheremoreenergyispresentinthebluewavelengths
between400and500nm.
5. Solar PV array orientation has a large effect on energy yield. Typically, fixed PV arrays are oriented for
maximum annual yield, with the array inclination favouring the summer period where radiation levels are
higher.Foroffgridinstallations,inclinationisusuallysettomaximumwinteryieldwhensolarradiationisat
aminimum,soastoprovideasconsistentanoutputaspossibleovertheyear.AfixedPVarraymayalsobe
oriented to maximum yieldat onepoint during thedaywhen electricity demand ishighest or spotmarket
pricesareatapeak(e.g.westfacingtomeetlateafternoonpeaks).

6. Tracking systems, usually ground mounted, increase yield by allowing the array to follow the sun over the
course of the day, while the array mounting can also be adjusted for inclination to achieve a better yield
acrosstheyear.

7. Higher efficiencies and lower costs can be achieved by concentrating sunlight, using low cost reflectors or
mirrorsontosmallareasofphotovoltaiccells.Suchsystemsaredescribedbytheirconcentrationcompared
toonesunor1000W/m2.Concentrationsofupto500sunshavebeenachieved.SpecialpurposePVcells
areusedduetothehightemperaturesandtheneedtocollectandtransferlargeramountsofelectricityper
unitarea.ConcentratorPVsystems(CPV)requireclearskysolarconditionstoallowfocussingandgenerally
perform better in dry desert areas. Concentrator systems also require the use of trackers, and hence
introduceamechanicalcomponentintothePVsystem.

USEFULREFERENCES&WEBSITES

AustralianandNewZealandSolarEnergySociety
www.anzses.org.au

AustralianPVAssociation
www.apva.org.au

BestPracticeGuidelinesforLocalGovernmentApprovalofPhotovoltaicSystems,AustralianPVAssociationforthe
DepartmentofEnvironment,Water,Heritage&theArts,June2009.
www.apva.org.au.

BureauofMeteorology
www.bom.gov.au/climate/

CleanEnergyCouncil
www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au

ExamplesofPVsystems
www.demosite.ch

HowPVworks
www.howstuffworks.com/solarcell.htm

InternationalEnergyAgencyPVPowerSystemsProgramme
www.ieapvps.org

NSWSEDA(2005)SolarAccessforLots.GuidelinesforResidentialSubdivisioninNSW
www.energysmart.com.au/brochures/Solar_Access_for_Lots_Guide.pdf
PlanningGuideforPV
http://pvcityguide.energyprojects.net/

PVSyst(PVsimulationtool)
www.pvsyst.com

QueenslandGovernmentDept.ofPublicWorksSmart&SustainableDesignsDesigningforQueenslands
Climatewww.build.qld.gov.au/smart_housing/pdf/qld_climate.pdf
SearchengineforlatitudesandlongitudesofAustraliancitiesandtownsCharlesSturtUniversity
http://www.csu.edu.au/australia/latlong/index.html

SolarAccessandLotOrientationAmbrose,M.andMiller,A.(2008)
http://yourdevelopment.org

SolarHomes&Communities
http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/pv/index.html

Standards,Training,AccreditationandApprovedPVProducts
http://www.bcse.org.au/home.asp

StateEnvironmentalPlanningPolicy(SEPP)65supportedbytheResidentialFlatDesignCodePart03Building
Design,RulesofThumb.Aminimumproportionof70%ofsolaraccessissoughtbyResidentialDesignFlatCode.
www.planning.nsw.gov.au/asp/pdf/06_0127_appf_sepp_65_comp_table_taa.pdf

SustainabilityVictoriainformationfactsheet:sitingandsolaraccess
www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/resources/documents/Siting_and_solar_access.pdf

YourHomeSustainableDesignGuideandPV
www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/index.html

RELEVANTAUSTRALIAN&INTERNATIONALSTANDARDS

AS/NZ1170 Structuraldesignactions:Minimumdesignloadsonstructures.

AS1170.2 Part2Windloads.

AS1319 Safetysignsfortheoccupationalenvironment.

AS1530 Methodsforfiretestsonbuildingmaterials,componentsandstructures.

AS1530.4 Part4Fireresistancetestsofelementsofbuildingconstruction.

AS1768 Lightningprotection.

AS1931.1 Part1HighvoltageTesttechniquesGeneraldefinitionsandtestrequirements.

AS1940 Storageandhandlingofflammableandcombustibleliquids.

AS2279 Disturbancesinmainssupplynetworks.

AS2481 Allornothingelectricalrelays(instantaneous&timingrelays).

AS/NZ3000 ElectricalinstallationsBuildings,structuresandpremisesSAAWiringrules.

AS3008 SelectionofCables.

AS3100 Approval&testspecificationGeneralrequirementsforelectricalequipment.

AS3300 Approval&testspecificationGeneralrequirementsforhousehold&similarelectrical
appliances.

AS3595 EnergyManagementPrograms.

AS/NZS3131 Approvalandtestspecificationplugsandsocketoutletsforuseininstallationwiring.

AS4509 forStandalonesystems.

AS4777 Gridconnectionofenergysystemsviainverters.Part1installation,Part2Inverter
requirementsandPart3protectionrequirements.

AS/NZS5033 InstallationofPhotovoltaic(PV)Arrays.

AS/NZS6805 forstandalonesysteminverters.

IEC61215 Crystallinesiliconterrestrialphotovoltaic(PV)modules:Designqualification&type
approval.

IEC61643 Lowvoltagesurgeprotectivedevices.

IEC6164312 Part12:Surgeprotectivedevicesconnectedtolowvoltagepowerdistributionsystems
Selectionandapplicationprinciples.

IEC61646 Thinfilmterrestrialphotovoltaic(PV)modulesDesignqualificationandtypeapproval.

IEC617301 Part1:Photovoltaic(PV)modulesafetyqualification:Requirementsforconstruction.

IEC617302 Part2:Photovoltaic(PV)modulesafetyqualification:Requirementsfortesting.

EN50380 2003Datasheetandnameplateinformationforphotovoltaicmodules.

GLOSSARYANDACRONYMS

Alternatingcurrent(AC):Electriccurrentinwhichthedirectionoftheflowisreversedatfrequentintervals.In
EuropeandAustralia,thisoccurs100timespersecond(50cyclespersecond,i.e.50Hertz(Hz))and120timesper
secondintheUSA.Alsoseedirectcurrent(DC).

Balance of systems (BOS): The parts of the photovoltaic system other than the PV panels including switches,
controls, meters, powerconditioning equipment, and any supporting structure for the panels and storage
components.

Buildingintegratedphotovoltaics(BiPV):TheintegrationofPVintotheexternalbuildingskin.

Clean Energy Council (CEC): Is the organisation that implements the PV installers accreditation scheme in
Australia.

Development Application (DA): A document submitted by a resident or developer to the Local Planning
Authority/Councilthatspecifiesthetypesandnatureofalterations/developmentstheywishtoundertake.

DevelopmentControlPlan(DCP):AdocumentproducedbyLocalPlanningAuthorities/Councilsthatspecifiesthe
typesandnatureofdevelopmentspermittedintheirarea.

Direct current (DC): Electric current in which electrons are flowing in one direction only. Also see alternating
current(AC).

Energypaybacktime:Thetimerequiredforanyenergyproducingsystemordevicetoproduceasmuchuseful
energy as was consumed in its manufacture and construction. For PV the energy payback time is between 6
monthsand4years.

Finalannualyield:Totalphotovoltaicenergydeliveredduringoneyearperkilowattofpowerinstalled.Unit:kWh
perannumperkWinstalled.

GridconnectedPVsystem:Systeminstalledonconsumers'premises,andconnectedtothelocalelectricitygrid,
usuallyontheirsideoftheelectricitymeter.ThisincludesgridconnecteddomesticPVsystemsandothergrid
connectedPVsystemsoncommercialbuildings,motorwaysoundbarriers,etc.

Inverter:Devicethatconvertsthedirectcurrent(DC)producedbyaPVsystemintoalternatingcurrent(AC),that
caneitherbeusedinthehomeorexportedtothegrid.

Kilowatthour(kWh):Unitofenergy(powerexpressedinkWmultipliedbytimeexpressedinhours).

Load: The amount of electric power that is being used at any given moment. Also, in an electrical circuit, any
deviceorappliancethatisusingpower.

Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET): An obligation placed on electricity retailers by the Federal
government,thatrequiresthemtosourceatleast9,500GWhofelectricityfromrenewablesourcesby2010,and
tomaintainthisleveluntil2020.ThishasbeensupercededbytheRenewableEnergyTarget.

OffgridPVsystem:Systeminstalledinhouseholdsandvillagesthatarenotconnectedtoautilitysdistribution
network(grid).Usuallyusesbatteriestostoreelectricity,mostcommonlyleadacidbatteries.Alsoreferredtoas
standalonephotovoltaicpowersystems(PVSPS)orremoteareapowersupplies(RAPS).

Peak power: PV modules are rated by their peak power output. The peak power (or installed power) is the
amount of power output a PV module produces at standard test conditions (STC). Unit: Watt peak (Wp). See
belowforanexplanationofSTC.

Photovoltaiceffect:TheprocessofphotonsoflightexcitingasemiconductormaterialinaPVpaneltoproducean
electriccurrentofvolts,thusproducingelectricityfromsunlight.

Photovoltaicpowersystem:Asystemincludingphotovoltaicmodules,inverters,batteries(ifapplicable),andall
associatedinstallationandcontrolcomponents,forthepurposeofproducingsolarphotovoltaicelectricity.Also
commonlyreferredtoasPVorphotovoltaics.

PV:Abbreviationofphotovoltaicsanddependingonthecontext,canrefertocells,modulesorsystemswherea
systemismadeupofmodulesandamoduleismadeupofcells.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs): Each REC corresponds to 1 MWh or electricity from renewable sources.
Theymustbesurrenderedtogovernmentbyretailerstoprove

Renewable Energy Target (RET): An obligation placed on electricity retailers by the Federal government, that
requiresthemtosourceatleast45,000GWhofelectricityfromrenewablesourcesby2020,andtomaintainthis
leveluntil2030.ItsupersedestheMandatoryRenewableEnergyTarget.

Renewableenergy:Energysourcesrecentlyderiveddirectlyorindirectlyfromtheenergyofthesun,theearths
core,orfromlunarandsolargravitationalforcesthatarerenewableovershorttimeframes.Theseincludesolar,
wind,biomass,tidal,wave,hydroandgeothermalenergy.

Standardtestconditions(STC):Thetestingconditionsusedtomeasurephotovoltaiccellsormodulesnominal
output powerwhere the irradiance(sunlight) level is 1000W/m2,the reference airmass is 1.5 times the solar
spectralirradiancedistributionandwithacellormodulejunctiontemperatureof25C.

Watt(W):Unitofpower.OneWattisequaltooneJoulepersecond,with1kWhequaling3.6MJ.Multipleslike
kW (1000 W) or MW (1000 kW) are also used. In this publication, it is understood to be power output under
standardtestconditions(STC).AlsowrittenWp(peakWatt)byPVprofessionalstomeanpeakpoweratSTC.