Queensland’s electrical safety regulator has warned electrical contractors to only carry out the work they’re qualified to do when installing photovoltaic (PV) panels.

Although electrical contractors are licensed and skilled to undertake a wide range of electrical work related to a building, it often becomes an issue when PV panels are involved. These workers can be asked to do plumbing work as part of the installation which is illegal and should only be done by a licensed plumber.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) allows electrical contractors to install PB systems without a QBCC license but any tasks that don’t involve electrical work must be done by the appropriate professional.

The AS/NSS5033:2014 ‘Installation and safety requirements for PV arrays’ outlines basic installation and safety requirements for situations involving PV but does not include energy storage devices, power conversion equipment or loads.

If any work is taken out by a professional that is not in their trained field of duty, a $1,178 fine per offense is immediately handed out.