The New South Wales Government will inspect a further 500 solar panels in Sydney to ensure the installations are safe for consumers and comply with regulations. The announcement to undertake more checks was made by Fair Trading Minister Mr Anthony Roberts and comes after the peak body representing electrical contractors has called for a nationwide review of solar panel installations.

National Electrical and Communications Association NECA pressured the government after revelations that 5 per cent of those in Port Macquarie in northern NSW contained potentially fatal flaws.

NECA NSW chief executive, Mr Lindsay Le Compte, said electrical contractors support further inspections of solar panels because electrical safety must be guaranteed in any electrical installation.

“NECA supports the move to inspect the installations of solar panels to ensure they comply with the existing electrical and building regulations,” Mr Le Compte said.

Electrical safety, he said, is paramount during any electrical installation and solar panels are subject to the same regulations as other electrical installation s and this is why the installation needs to be conducted by people with the appropriate licence.

“There are plenty of installers that have done the right thing but I think it is important to make sure that consumers are confident their solar panels are safe and more inspections will address this.”

NECA advises consumers to only engage licensed contractors who are accredited to install solar panels.

The heads-up comes with solar rebates and incentives being slashed or wiped out altogether, resulting in the race to have systems installed before changes to programs come into effect. Consequently, this is resulting in corners being cut by inexperienced operators new to the market.