This seems to be a question coming up all the time and the so called Solar installers that are springing up all over that have no Electrical background and DIY projects happening is scary and dangerous
Only registered Electrical Contractors may install Solar(PV) systems
The OHSA and SANS 10142-1 are clear and there is no grey area
To Be an Electrical Contractor he must be able to produce a Registration Certificate as an Electrical contractor issued by the Department of Employment and Labour and be able produce registration with the National Electrical Bargaining Council ( NBCEI)
If those documents cannot be produced he is not an Electrical Contractor and cannot install PV/Solar Installation.
We continually have the statement made that Solar installers are suppliers of electricity and that the isolator to the AC connect point is the point of control and therefore does not have to be carried out by an Electrical contractor as it is not part of the Electrical Installation – This is a Myth or to put stronger a blatant lie
This is a myth and the OHSA and Electrical regulations SANS 10142-1 ED3.01 have clarified and removed any doubt.
The definitions have defined that the consumer is responsible if he generates electricity for himself and the consumer ( definition below) needs to have a COC to legally use the electrical installation.
Definition of electrical installation ( Clause 3.33) clearly includes PV and it includes the brackets that panels are mounted on , trunking , conduit etc
The Electrical Contractor needs to be in General control of the job , not just the connections , the complete works including all wireways , bracketing etc
The point of control definition pasted below is only the point of control if supplied by the " supplier" as defined - If it is the consumers PV system then the isolator for the system is not the point of control.
The installation of Alternative supply including the DC section shall comply with SANS 10142-1 - Section 7.12 of SANS 10142-1 reinforces that including the foreword of SANS 10142-1
If you go over 1,5Kv DC , then you need to go to SANS 10142-2 for MV installations
Pv installations can only be done by Electrical Contractors and that Contractor must employ an Installation licensed electrician or Master Installation Electrician
A licenced single phase tester cannot work with DC and may therefore not sign off on DC installations which would include PV Inverters nor any 3 phase installations.
If a Single phase tester is requested to issue a COC for a premises where inverters( DC involved) or PV system is installed because the property is being sold , he shall not issue the COC as he is legal prohibited from doing so as per Annex M of SANS 10142-1
As Electrical Contractors it is mandatory to belong to the NBCEI.
The " PV Green card " is not a recognized statutory qualification
As the consumer you are held responsible by the regulations and your insurance company could dismiss any claims that may arise from such installation or be destroy by such installation.
Relevant regulations from SANS 10142-1 Ed3.01 pasted below and highlighted in red what is relevant
3.16
consumer
person who is supplied (or who is to be supplied) with electricity by a supplier
(see 3.77); or a person who supplies his own electricity
3.58
point of supply
point at which a supplier supplies electricity to any premises
3.77
supplier
in relation to a particular installation, any local authority (see 3.47), statutory
body or person who supplies, contracts or agrees to supply, electricity to that
electrical installation
3.56
point of control
point at which a consumer can, on or in any premises, switch off the electrical
installation from the electricity supplied from the point of supply
3.33
electrical installation
machinery, in or on any premises, that is used for the transmission of electrical
energy from a point of control (see 3.56) to a point of consumption
(see 3.55) anywhere on the premises, including any article that forms part of
such an installation, irrespective of whether or not it is part of the electrical
circuit, but excluding
a) any machinery of the supplier that is related to the supply of electricity on
the premises,
b) any machinery that is used for the transmission of electricity of which the
voltage does not exceed 50 V, where such electricity is not derived from
the main supply of a supplier, and
c) any machinery that transmits electrical energy in telecommunication,
television or radio circuits
7.12.7 Additional requirements for photovoltaic (PV) and similar
installations that provide a supply as an alternative to the main supply
7.12.7.1 The photovoltaic installation shall comply with SANS 60364-7-712
and the solar panels shall comply with SANS 61215 (for poly and mono
crystalline) or SANS 61646 (for thin-film).
7.12.7.2 The DC component of the installation shall comply with 7.15.
7.12.7.3 The rated voltage of each circuit shall be clearly indicated at all ends
of the circuit.
In the case of combined circuits, every circuit shall be easily identifiable.
Where single core conductors are used, such conductors for each circuit shall
be tied together at intervals to ensure identification, unless another suitable
arrangement is employed.
7.12.7.4 Precautions regarding parallel operation as prescribed in 7.12.6.1,
and overcurrent protection as prescribed in 7.12.4.1 shall be provided.
7.12.7.5 In addition it shall be recognised that the supply from each inverter,
battery arrangement and PV panel (or identified clustered group), constitutes
a supply, and requires arrangements similar to point of supply, which shall
include switch-disconnection arrangements and shall comply with 7.12.5.
7.12.7.6 If applicable, all exposed conductive parts may require earthing as
prescribed in 6.12.3.
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