18 February 2010 PEACE OF MIND FOR ALICE SPRINGS SOLAR INSTALLATIONS
Recent statements regarding the threat of house fires from rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installations needs to be put in context, says Alice Solar City General Manager Brian Elmer.
“The Alice Solar City program has helped fund almost 200 household and commercial solar panel installations in Alice Springs and we take safety very seriously.”
“Out of 10,000 estimated house fires per year, none have been documented to be caused by PV panels and the safety record of the solar PV industry in Australia is very good.”
“I would like to assure householders and business owners in Alice Springs that the standard of equipment and installation used in our program meets and in many cases exceeds Australian and international standards.”
“The type of solar panel that was found to have a fault is not installed in Alice Springs through the Alice Solar City program.”
“All solar panels receiving government support, including under the Alice Solar City, must be installed by an accredited installer. The panels must comply with the Australian standard. All houses connecting solar panels back to the grid must also be installed by a licensed electrician.”
