News

Service solar systems regularly

By Riverine Herald

May 11, 2023

Don’t forget: Energy Safe and Solar Victoria reminds households to have their solar systems serviced regularly. Photo by Contributed

Energy Safe Victoria and Solar Victoria are reminding Victorians about servicing their solar photovoltaic (PV) systems every two years to ensure their safety.

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The Show Your Solar Some Love campaign was launched last year by the agencies to highlight the risk of solar PV system fire and failure when not serviced regularly by a licensed A-grade electrician.

Extreme weather events such as wind, rain and hot and cold temperatures can cause damage and wear to solar PV installations. These risks can be reduced with regular services.

Energy Service Victoria chief executive officer Leanne Hughson said solar PV systems need to be maintained the same way that cars need to be serviced, to ensure they are running safely.

“Unfortunately, Energy Safe regularly investigates fires that could have been prevented if the solar PV system had undergone regular servicing,” she said.

We encourage Victorians using solar to ensure their systems are serviced by a licensed A-grade electrician at least once every two years.”

In 2022, Energy Safe investigated 44 solar PV system fires, the majority of which occurred in systems that had not been serviced in the past two years.

Victorian Government research shows that fewer than half of Victorians are aware of the importance of servicing their solar PV systems.

Currently, there are more than 655,000 solar PV systems installed across Victoria, with 53,000 installed in 2022.