Summary of Rules for Solar Additions, Alterations, Repairs & Upgrades

If you want to upgrade or repair your solar system, for example, add panels, or replace a faulty inverter, then there are some rules that you have to adhere to depending on whether the work is officially deemed as a 'repair' or an 'alteration/addition'

If the work is classed as an alteration/addition then the installer must:

• Bring the system up to the latest installation standards. Any added hardware has to be on the 'currently approved CEC list'. (Note for installers: there are some caveats you need to be across - see the CEC document linked to at the end of this article)

If the work is classed as a repair, then the burden on the installer is much less:

• They can simply make the repair/replacement using hardware with a suitable specification, without worrying about the rest of the system. 

(Note for installers: there are some caveats you need to be across re: the  - see the CEC document linked to at the end of this article)

If your work is deemed an alteration/addition, the installer must generally bring the whole system up to standard, and that can be expensive.  That can mean it is sometimes cheaper to scrap the old systems and get a brand new system to replace it. Or - if there is room on your roof - add a second system instead of upgrading the existing one That really upsets a lot of people - binning perfectly good hardware. But that's the rules and we have to comply.

Here is a summary of the type of work being done and whether it is classed as a 'repair' or an 'alteration/addition'.

The CEC has a fantastic, detailed guide for installers who are doing repairs, upgrades, additions or alterations to solar power systems. I've attached it to this post.