The ABC recently published an article about the increasing number of poor quality and faulty solar panels being installed in Australia. You can read the full article here, or we’ve summarised the key points for you.
The number of badly installed and unsafe rooftop systems in Australia has been estimated in the tens of thousands, according to the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO). Roughly one in five Australians have solar panels, and of these, one in 30 are now considered unsafe. Which translates into hundreds of thousands of poor installations and tens of thousands of unsafe solar systems.
PHOTO: Rex Leighton (ABC News: Jerry Rickard)
As reported by the ABC, Rex Leighton, a Wollongong resident, spent 8 grand on his solar installation, expecting it to last at least 25 years. However, due to a manufacturing fault, it only lasted four and a half years. Mr Leighton said it was “incredibly disappointing, to say the least.”
The low quality and faulty panels don’t work as efficiently or last as long as they are supposed to. They cannot be repaired but must be replaced. Although purchasing cheaper panels may seem like the smarter option, it could end up costing you a lot more in the long run. Manufacturing faults are not visible to the naked eye, which is why it’s important to have your panels installed by a company that guarantees high-quality panels.
PHOTO: Dr Michelle McCann (ABC News)
Dr Michelle McCann runs a lab in Canberra where they test commercial solar panels. She told the ABC that they have found that “performance is really variable across Australia. Some are fine, great, and some are really poor.”
Why is this happening? Basically, Australia doesn’t have a rigorous testing process when it comes to solar panels, and the demand for cheap product means that we’re receiving low-quality panels.
PHOTO: Steve Attard (ABC News)
In the worst case, unsafe panels can cause house fires. The acting commander of Fire Investigation and Analysis at Melbourne’s Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB), Steve Attard, told the ABC that he knows of 25 fires in Melbourne alone that were started by problems with rooftop solar in the last 5 years.
It is essential when looking for a solar provider that you look for accredited solar products and installers, to avoid poor quality and dangerous panels. PowerSmart Solutions are accredited by the Clean Energy Council in Installation and Design. We guarantee the installation of high-quality, safe solar panels for your home. We’re here to help ensure you’re investing in the best quality solar system for your home.
