Grace Grace.
A new code of practice and electrical safety regulations will be put in place this May to enhance safety in Queensland’s growing commercial solar farm industry.
The new regulations mean only licensed electricians can mount, locate, fix or remove solar panels on solar farms with a total rated capacity of at least 100kW.
The Construction and operation of solar farms Code of Practice 2019 and the Electrical Safety (Solar Farms) Amendment Regulation 2019 will become law on May 13 and cover all Queensland solar farms, industrial relations minister Ignazia ‘Grace’ Grace says.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to achieving 50% renewable energy by 2030.
“As a result, we’ve seen unprecedented growth in the number of commercial solar farms in Queensland and that means jobs for installers, Grace says.
“These new regulations are all about ensuring we keep pace with new and emerging technologies and keep workers safe.
“But to ensure the safety of these workers, our regulations need to keep pace with these ever-changing technologies.”
Grace says stakeholders are concerned about unlicensed workers such as backpackers and labourers mounting and removing live solar panels.
“Solar panels generate power as soon as they are exposed to light and cannot be isolated while they are being mounted,” she says.
“Workers are at risk from electrocution and fires if solar panels are not properly earthed during installation.
“Removing panels can be even more dangerous. These are not jobs for unlicensed workers.
Natural resources, mines and energy minister Dr Anthony Lynham says Queensland
is estimated to reach 20% renewable energy by 2020.
“We already have more than $5b in operational, committed or underway projects, creating more than 4600 jobs.
“The new code and regulations can only enhance the industry – ensuring the safety of workers and the highest safety standards.’’
Electrical safety commissioner Greg Skyring says health and safety is the key priority for the electrical industry.
“The new code of practice and regulations will provide guidance and clarity for solar farm developers, owner and contractors when it comes to their electrical safety duties,” he says.
Master Electricians chief executive officer Malcom Richards says the changes ensure Queensland keeps pace with the fast-moving renewable energy industry.
National Electrical and Communications Association executive director Peter Lamont says they will make the solar industry safer.
“The mounting, locating, fixing, earthing and removing of solar panels at solar farms is dangerous work and it should not be undertaken by unlicensed workers. We fully support the new changes,” he says.
In response to industry concerns, the Palaszczuk Government established a stakeholder steering group to explore and address the issue of unsafe work practices at solar farms and to recommend changes.
During the past six months, work health and safety and electrical safety inspectors completed more than 200 audits at solar farms across the state and issued 67 statutory for breaches of work health and safety and electrical safety laws. This includes unlicensed electrical work, non-compliant electrical installations and inadequate safe work method statements and emergency plans.
The regulatory changes only affect commercial solar farms and not residential solar installations or other renewable technologies.
Residential solar installations are covered by an Australian Standard requiring installation to be undertaken by a small team supervised by a licensed electrician.
Visit electricalsafety.qld.gov.au for more information.
