Australia requires solar panel testing and certifying to IEC Standards

PV (photovoltaic) modules sold in Australia must now be tested and certified to IEC Standards by a laboratory accepted by IECEE, the IEC worldwide system for conformity testing and certification of electrotechnical equipment and components.

The Solar Homes and Communities Plan of the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, is a new programme that encourages the long-term use of PV technology to generate electricity from sunlight and to increase the use of renewable energies in Australia.

The key objectives of the programme are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to help develop the Australian PV industry and to increase public awareness of renewable energies.

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts issued guidelines for residential applicants outlining under what conditions homeowners can receive cash rebates for the installation of PV systems on their residences.

To be eligible, applicants must have a family taxable income of less than AUS $100 000, be connected or close to a main-grid, install at their principal place of residence and hire a contractor accredited for the design and installation of the PV system, among other requirements. All equipment in the PV system must be new and meet the relevant Australian standards, or, where they don't exist, the relevant international standards.

In addition 朼nd this is of particular interest to the IEC and the IECEE ?all PV modules must be tested and certified to IEC 61215, Crystalline silicon terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval, or to IEC 61646, Thin-film terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules - Design qualification and type approval, by a laboratory registered under the IECEE CB Scheme and CB-FCS Scheme.

A similar programme is in place for schools and educational buildings. Here again, all installations must conform with the relevant Australian or international standards and be certified to IEC 61215 or equivalent.

IECEE Executive Secretary Pierre de Ruvo said: "This is a significant step for IECEE and the CB Scheme and we are extremely pleased to have a government place its trust in our system."

The IECEE PV sector of activity dates from 2003. Under the agreement signed earlier this year between IECEE and PV GAP (the Global Approval Program for Photovoltaics), IECEE is now the exclusive provider of the PV Mark through its NCBs (National Certification Bodies). For a transition period until the end of 2008, PV GAP retains overall responsibility before transferring full ownership of the Mark to the IECEE (see the May 2008 e-tech).

The Australian government programme encourages households to install solar panels tested and certified to IEC standards.