Defects, standards and the things that actually fail an inspection — written by a Licensed Electrical Inspector who sees solar and battery systems every week.
Pat has 25+ years in the electrical trade and 15 in solar. He audits for Solar Victoria, has inspected for the Clean Energy Regulator, and writes here about what he finds on real roofs and in real switchboards — so you can fix it before the inspector turns up.
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Pat SouthwellWelcome back to our monthly chat. I'm Pat from Southwell Solar Inspections. In my line of work, I get to chat with system owners after the solar installation team has packed up and moved on.
Pat SouthwellInstalling solar systems is more than just a job; it involves a deep understanding of numerous Australian standards and guidelines. Among these, AS3000 – The Australian Wiring Rules – stands out as the master standard for electrical work.
Pat SouthwellWhen you get solar installed, any sub-standard work done in the roof cavity is hidden away — out of sight and out of mind — until the inevitable repercussions start to rear their ugly heads.
Pat SouthwellThink of me as a detective, but swap out crime scenes for rooftop and commercial solar setups. Here, the thrill isn't in chasing down overt dangers but in uncovering the subtle, critical details often hidden in plain sight.
Pat SouthwellDid you know that a staggering 90% of solar installation defects are found on the roof? Under the solar panels is where seasoned professionals distinguish themselves, installing systems with a priority on longevity and safety.
Pat SouthwellLet's shed some light on the ongoing debate between disconnection points and rooftop isolators; two critical aspects that have stirred discussions within the solar industry.
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