qbcc queeslad buildig ad costructio commissio A GUIDE TO THE INSTALLATION OF ROOF MOUNTED SOLAR POWER AND HOT WATER SYSTEMS. Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 1
TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Page 3 COLLECTION SYSTEMS Page 3 Solar Electricity Solar Hot Water QUOTES AND CONTRACTS Page 4 DOMESTIC BUILDING CONTRACTS ACT 2000 Page 4 QUEENSLAND BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION ACT 1991 Page 4 CONTRACTS Page 5 QUEENSLAND HOME WARRANTY SCHEME Page 5 QBCC LICENSING REQUIREMENTS Page 5 Solar hot water systems ad photovoltaic solar paels Istallatio of solar hot water systems Istallatio of photovoltaic solar paels o roofs or attached to a buildig CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL ACCREDITATION Page 6 Beefits of accreditatio Reewable Eergy Certificates (RECs) Page 7 Solar credits Approved products Stadards BUILDING APPROVAL AND CERTIFICATION OF SOLAR PV SYSTEM INSTALLATION Page 7 CONSTRUCTION Page 8 Geerally Structural performace Material Compatitbility Page 9 Weather-tight istallatios Ability to resist hail ad other impact Summary ad recommedatios QUEENSLAND SOLAR BONUS SCHEME FOR CONSUMERS Page 9 Key eligibility MONETARY REBATES Page 10 Feed-i tariffs Reewable Eergy Certificates (RECs) Next steps Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 2
INTRODUCTION The type ad size of PV paels to be used; Solar paels have bee istalled o the roofs of houses ad other buildigs i Australia sice the 1970s. The mometum has grow expoetially sice the Australia Govermet itroduced icetives for the purchase of small solar uits to reduce reliace o supply from the electricity grid. I 2007 the govermet committed to esurig that 20 percet of Australia s electricity supply would come from reewable eergy sources by 2020 by establishig the expaded atioal Reewable Eergy Target (RET) scheme. Sice November 2007, over 880,000 rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems ad over 560,000 solar ad heat pump water heaters have received support uder the RET scheme. This period of uprecedeted growth has bee drive by the upfrot support uder the scheme, rapidly decliig system costs, a high Australia dollar, State ad Territory feed-i tariffs ad risig etwork prices. The geeratig capacity of the system to be istalled (the bigger the system the more PV paels ad the greater the roof area required); The type ad size of ay structure eeded to support the paels; The type of roof claddig (steel, tiles, other) ad the agle of the roof; Whether the system is coected to the grid or stad-aloe; The visual aesthetics of the istallatios. Solar PV paels are differet to solar hot water systems, which are also mouted o household roof-tops but use the heat from the su to provide hot water for household uses. Houses with solar systems use solar power first before sourcig electricity from the grid. State based schemes such as feed-i tariffs, where excess household eergy from a solar electricity system is fed ito the grid, have provided further icetive to istall solar. Photovoltaic paels have o movig parts, require little maiteace ad ca be expected to last more tha 20 years, but must be istalled correctly to perform to their maximum efficiecy. Grid-coected (GC) solar PV systems eed a iverter to trasform the DC electricity created by the photovoltaic paels ito AC electricity suitable for ordiary household eeds. Whe the paels are ot producig electricity at ight, electricity is supplied to the home from the electricity grid. For systems with a optioal battery backup, the iverter regulates the chargig of batteries. The electricity stored i the batteries ca the be used at ight or durig blackouts. Collectio Systems Solar Electricity May factors impact o the type of solar collectio system chose. It is importat that a holistic approach is adopted by desigers, builders ad homeowers whe cosiderig the most appropriate system for ay site. Factors that may ifluece the desig iclude: The orietatio of the roof ad the ushaded roof area available; The total hours of sulight received i the area; Solar Hot Water I early 2010, the Australia Govermet aouced its Reewable Eergy Bous Scheme to assist households to reduce their carbo emissios. Uder the Smallscale Reewable Eergy Scheme, eligible solar water heaters ad heat pumps are etitled to a umber of Small-scale Techology Certificates (STCs). This is based o the estimated amout of electricity i megawatt hours (MWh) the system displaces over the course of its lifetime. The umber of STCs a particular solar water heatig model is etitled to create will deped o its istallatio date ad geographic locatio idetified through its postcode. As part of its Natioal Strategy for Eergy Efficiecy the govermet also aouced a phase out of greehouse itesive electric hot water systems i ew buildigs from 2011. Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 3
However o February 1st 2013, the Queeslad Plumbig ad Wastewater Code requiremets madatig the istallatio of solar, heat pump or gas hot water systems i ew houses (or whe replacig a hot water system i existig houses) were repealed. Home owers ca ow istall hot water systems that best suit their circumstaces. A solar water heater uses eergy from the su to heat water. Water is heated by the su as it passes through collectors located o the roof of a house. The mai solar collector types are flat plate ad evacuated tube. Evacuated tube systems are more efficiet tha flat plate systems i most situatios but are also more expesive. They offer the beefit of beig able to be idividually replaced if a tube should fail, ad their tubular shape ad vacuum isulated characteristics mea they are directly exposed to the su for loger tha flat plate collectors. The heatig of water i these systems is ofte supplemeted by either electricity or gas. Storage taks for solar hot water systems ca be istalled o-roof, i-roof or o the groud depedig o the stregth of the roof structure ad the type of system selected. Solar hot water systems may also be used to supplemet existig hot water systems such as off-peak systems ad istataeous systems. Domestic Buildig Cotracts Act 2000 Domestic buildig work that is carried out directly for the homeower ad exceeds $3,300 i value (iclusive of labour, materials ad GST) is govered by the Domestic Buildig Cotracts Act 2000 (the DBC Act). The DBC Act requires that cotracts meet a umber of striget madatory coditios. Some of the key provisios of this legislatio are listed below, however for further ad more comprehesive details of this Act, Cotractors should refer to the QBCC booklet titled Domestic Buildig Cotracts Act 2000 What Cotractors Need To Kow, o the QBCC s website. Homeowers should refer to the QBCC s website www.qbcc.qld.gov.au Some key provisios are: Cotracts must be i writig ad siged by both parties. Deposits must ot exceed a madated maximum amout - amely 10% for work valued at less tha $20,000 ad 5% for work valued i excess of $20,000. Progress paymet stages must be clearly defied ad paymet for ay work shall ot be made uless the work has bee carried out. The cotractor must provide the homeower with a QBCC approved Iformatio Statemet ad a siged copy of the cotract withi 5 busiess days of eterig ito the cotract. Quotes ad Cotracts I Queeslad, the Queeslad Buildig ad Costructio Commissio Act 1991 ad the Domestic Buildig Cotracts Act 2000 determie the legislative requiremets i relatio to cotracts for buildig work. Essetially it is the ature of the buildig work to be performed (domestic or commercial), ad for whom the cotractor will be performig the work (i.e. dealig directly with the homeower or sub-cotractig to a pricipal cotractor or commercial buildig ower), that determies the applicable legislatio ad the format of cotract required. It is very importat that cotractors uderstad their cotractual obligatios ad use appropriate cotract documetatio, as failure to do so may result i costly disputes, leave the cotractor exposed to the risk of prosecutio, or give rise to cotract termiatio ad loss of reveue. Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 4 The cotract is subject to a 5 busiess day coolig off period to protect homeowers from high pressure salesmaship. Geerally, variatios must be recorded i writig ad siged by the homeower prior to the work beig carried out. Cost plus cotracts are ulawful i most situatios. Queeslad Buildig AND CONSTRUCTION COMMISSION Act 1991 If a cotractor has o direct cotractual arragemet with the homeower (e.g. either because the work is commercial or because the cotract is a sub-cotract with a pricipal cotractor), the requiremets of the Domestic Buildig Cotracts Act 2000 do ot apply. Istead the provisios of Part 4A of the Queeslad Buildig ad Costructio Commissio Act 1991 ( QBCC Act ) have effect. These cotractual provisios are less
oerous tha those applyig to domestic buildig work ad apply to buildig work valued at $3,300 or more. Some key provisios of the QBCC Act iclude: A writte cotract is required for work valued at $3,300 or more - or for work of ay value if the work is udertake by a cotractor holdig a QBCC licece i Plumbig ad Draiage or Draiage. The obligatio to have a cotract i writig rests with both the pricipal cotractor ad the subcotractor. The cotract must iclude the scope of services to be provided, the cotractor s ame ad licece umber, the value - or the method by which the value of the cotract will be calculated, the paymet arragemets, ay retetios or securities, the completio date, the address of the site of works ad the eed to record ay directios give uder the cotract i writig. Further iformatio i relatio to commercial cotracts or sub-cotracts ca be obtaied from the QBCC publicatio Cotractual Obligatios, Demerit Poits ad Bas available o the QBCC s website at www.qbcc. qld.gov.au. queeslad Home Warraty scheme The istallatio of a solar hot water system or solar PV power system: oly becomes work requirig paymet of a Queeslad Home Warraty Scheme premium whe such work is icluded with other works (e.g. costructio of a ew home) ad the is oly covered for o-completio; ad work performed i isolatio (e.g. retro-fittig solar hot water systems or solar PV power systems to a existig buildig) does ot require paymet of a premium. More iformatio for cotractors i relatio to the Queeslad Home Warraty Scheme ca be obtaied from the QBCC booklet Facts for Licesees ad for homeowers from the booklet Smart Buildig & Reovatig. This iformatio is also available from the QBCC website at www.qbcc.qld.gov.au. qbcc queeslad buildig ad costructio commissio CONTRACTOR LICENCE NAME LICENCE NUMBER LICENCE CLASS JOHN CITIZEN EXPIRY 89123 DATE 31/12/2015 BUILDER - OPEN QBCC Licesig Requiremets Solar hot water systems ad photovoltaic solar paels Cotracts Although it is possible to persoally draft (with legal assistace) cotracts compliat with the legislatio, the easiest way to satisfy the legislative requiremets is to use a appropriate cotract that has already bee developed ad where appropriate, has a Iformatio Statemet already approved by the QBCC. The QBCC produces cotracts for domestic buildig work ad buildig work valued at less tha $3,300 ad has these available at o charge for dowloadig from its website. Major idustry associatios also produce ad offer for sale both commercial ad domestic buildig cotracts. The QBCC also produces subcotracts that are available for dowloadig free of charge at www. qbcc.qld.gov.au. Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 5 This iformatio does ot replace aythig cotaied i the Queeslad Buildig ad Costructio Commissio Act 1991 or the Queeslad Buildig ad Costructio Commissio Regulatio 2003. Uder that legislatio, the istallatio of solar hot water systems ad photovoltaic solar paels costitutes buildig work. This meas the perso udertakig istallatio of these items is required to hold a appropriate QBCC licece as listed below. If you are required to be licesed ad are ot, you may ot be etitled to paymet ad may be prosecuted by the QBCC. Istallatio of solar hot water systems (Solar hot water systems iclude ay part of a water heatig system desiged to heat water usig light or heat from the su)
For the istallatio of a solar hot water system, a QBCC cotractor licece i oe of the followig classes is required: Builder Ope; Builder Medium Rise; Builder Low Rise; Plumbig ad Draiage The holder of a urestricted Queeslad electrical cotractor s licece may istall solar hot water systems without a QBCC licece where: the electrical cotractor carries out oly the part of the work that is electrical work; ad the part of the work that is ot electrical work is carried out by a perso who holds a QBCC cotractor s licece of the appropriate class for the o-electrical work, ad is egaged by the electrical cotractor to carry out that oelectrical work. Plumbig ad Draiage; Structural Metal Fabricatio ad Erectio. The holder of a urestricted Queeslad electrical cotractor s licece may istall photovoltaic solar paels without a QBCC licece. The istallatio of freestadig photovoltaic solar paels which are ot attached to a buildig is ot cosidered to be buildig work ad a QBCC licece is ot required. Note: The cotractig etity must hold either a QBCC licece or a urestricted electrical cotractor s licece. If your compay egaged licesed electrical cotractors to perform the work, your compay must still hold a QBCC or urestricted electrical cotractor s licece. Note: Oly a QBCC licesed plumber with the appropriate Plumbig Idustry Coucil occupatioal licece ad edorsemet ca istall, replace, test, repair ad maitai the o-electrical compoets of solar ad heat pump hot water systems. Oly a appropriately licesed electrical cotractor ca carry out the electrical work. Istallatio of photovoltaic solar paels o roofs or attached to a buildig. A QBCC licece is required to istall photovoltaic solar paels situated o roofs or attached to a buildig, where the value of the work exceeds $3,300. Value of buildig work meas a amout represetig the reasoable cost to a cosumer of havig the work carried out by a licesed cotractor o the basis that all buildig materials are to be supplied by the cotractor (whether or ot the work is i fact carried out by a licesed cotractor o that basis). A licece i ay of the followig is appropriate: Builder Ope; Builder Medium Rise; Builder Low Rise; Carpetry; CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL ACCREDITATION As well as a QBCC ad/or occupatioal licece, cotractors will eed to be accredited by the Clea Eergy Coucil of Australia before they ca istall solar PV systems. Beefits of accreditatio Several govermet iitiatives exist to ecourage cosumers to adopt reewable eergy techologies, icludig solar photovoltaic power systems. For example: Reewable Eergy Certificates (RECs) Reewable Eergy Certificates created i the REC Registry for solar Small Geeratio Uits must cotai a CEC accredited desiger ad istaller umber. This meas that the uit must have bee desiged ad istalled by a perso accredited for stad-aloe ad/ or grid-coected photovoltaic power systems uder the Clea Eergy Coucil Accreditatio Scheme. Roof ad Wall Claddig; Roof Tilig; Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 6 I Jue 2010, the Federal Govermet aouced amedmets to the RET scheme. As part of these chages, the scheme was split ito two parts:
1. the Small-scale Reewable Eergy Scheme (SRES) which covers small-scale techologies such as solar paels ad solar hot water systems; 2. the Large-scale Reewable Eergy Target (LRET) which covers large-scale reewable eergy projects like wid farms, commercial solar ad geothermal. Followig these chages, RECs created uder the Smallscale Reewable Eergy Scheme are ow called Smallscale Techology Certificates (STCs), while RECs created uder the Large-scale Reewable Eergy Target cotiue to be called RECs. Solar Credits The Solar Credits scheme for solar PV systems is based o the REC scheme, but multiplied the umber of RECs able to be created for a solar PV system for up to 1.5kW of system capacity, by a pre-determied multiplier. This multiplier has bee removed by the Australia Govermet from the first of Jauary 2013. Solar Credits will be phased out etirely by July 2014. Solar Credits created i the REC Registry for solar Small Geeratio Uits must cotai a CEC Accredited Desiger & Istaller Number. NOTE: Accreditatio is a qualificatio that is available to idividual solar photovoltaic power system desigers ad istallers oly. I this regard, it differs from Clea Eergy Coucil membership, which is oly available to busiess etities. Approved products The Clea Eergy Coucil has a list of solar pael ad iverter models that meet Australia stadards. I order to receive STC s istallers must use products from the CEC approved products lists. Stadards I additio to the Buildig Code of Australia, the relevat stadards for desig ad istallatio of solar PV systems are: AS 4509 Stad-aloe power systems Part 1 Safety requiremets Part 2 Desig guidelies Part 3 Istallatio ad maiteace AS 4086 Secodary batteries for SPS Part 2 Istallatio ad maiteace Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 7 AS/NZS 5033 Istallatio of photovoltaic (PV) arrays A copy of the stadards ca be purchased from SAI Global at http://ifostore.saiglobal.com/store/ or by callig 131 242. If you re a CEC accredited istaller you MUST have ad use a copy of these stadards. Other relevat stadards iclude: AS/NZS 3000 Electrical Wirig Rules AS 1768 Lightig Protectio AS/NZS 1170.2 Wid Loads; ad AS4777 Grid Coectios of Eergy Systems via Iverters buildig approval ad certification OF SOLAR pv SYSTEM INSTALLATION. At preset, there is some cofusio withi the buildig idustry aroud whether a buildig approval is eeded for istallatio of photovoltaic paels. The curret ad prevailig iterpretatio by Buildig Codes Queeslad (BCQ) is that these istallatios are geerally self-assessable. That is, they ca be assessed for compliace with the Buildig Code ad relevat stadards by the perso udertakig the work. I order to remove ay cofusio BCQ has released ad is cosultig o draft legislatio that is more explicit. It is proposed that the istallatio of all solar paels will be self-assessable uless they do ot comply with the applicable regulatio. I order to comply with the ew regulatios, istallatios will eed to be: Parallel to the roof surface Elevated ot more tha 300mm above the roof surface (o pitched frames) Less tha two times the elevated height from the roof edges If a istallatio does ot comply with these requiremets it will become assessable developmet requirig buildig developmet approval. Because some paels are fixed so high that they ca be usightly ad have a adverse effect o the ameity of eighbourig properties, cosideratio is also beig give to amedig the Sustaiable Plaig Regulatio (SPR) to allow local govermets to apply ameity ad aesthetic provisios through a plaig scheme. If a plaig scheme refers to this issue, it will be able to address the potetial ameity ad aesthetic impacts of solar paels o a particular locality. Solar hot water system istallatios are similarly geerally self-assessable ad will also require plumbig
approval, however are otifiable plumbig work. Notifiable work ca be udertake by a licesed plumber without prior approval however the plumber must otify the Plumbig Idustry Coucil of the work withi 10 busiess days of completig it through lodgemet of a Form 4 ad paymet of applicable fees. Note: Care must be exercised to esure that the istallatio of PV ad solar hot water paels ad taks do ot adversely affect ay existig costructios such as the roof frame to the extet that they are icapable of withstadig the effects of ay additioal implied loads. costructio Geerally Whe istallig photovoltaic power geeratio systems or solar hot water systems a umber of desig ad costructio issues eed to be cosidered icludig; The structural performace of the systems to esure that they will ot damage the supportig structure or become dislodged i a high wid situatio, thereby also becomig flyig missiles ad posig a risk to life safety. The compatibility of compoets with other buildig elemets, to esure that icompatibility (e.g. corrosio due to dissimilar metals) will ot lead to rapid deterioratio of paels or other parts of the structure. the PV or solar structure itself but also o the fasteers ad other compoets crucial to esure that the system remais attached to the structure below. Evaluatio of this system should iclude paels, supportig structure ad coectio to roof. I order to more accurately determie the potetial loads that these systems ad their fixigs are likely to experiece, the Cycloe Testig Statio of James Cook Uiversity udertook a series of wid tuel tests to develop et pressure coefficiets for solar systems icludig their supportig structure. These et pressure coefficiets have bee icorporated ito AS1170.2 to provide guidace for desigers ad egieers desigig such systems. Whilst this iformatio will assist by providig guidace to desigers there is still a eed to develop evaluatio methods that demostrate systems comply. The Cycloe Testig Statio recetly completed a draft proposal for a evaluatio method for the structural performace of solar systems whe subjected to wid loadig. This was submitted for cosideratio as a Appedix to AS 5033:2012 Istallatio ad safety requiremets of photovoltaic (PV) arrays. Istallatio techiques that do ot compromise the ability of the roofig system to remai weather-tight i accordace with the ameity requiremets of the Buildig Code of Australia; ad The ability to resist hail ad other impact as might occur i certai parts of Australia. These issues are ot uique to PV ad solar water heatig systems ad apply equally to may other buildig compoets, particularly those that are retrofitted or istalled subsequet to completio of the home or buildig. Accordigly, various sectios of the BCA act to defie the regulatory requiremets to esure that such istallatios do ot compromise the structural itegrity, durability or ameity of the structure. Structural performace Fixigs at close spacig to resist wid loads It is curretly o circulatio to the relevat Stadards committee for commet. The icorporatio of the proposed Appedix i AS5033 should help to esure that solar systems ca be safely istalled aywhere o a roofig system withi Australia. It is worth otig, however, that ay such evaluatio is ormally limited to the performace of the solar system ad its immediate fixigs to the structure below. The primary loads applied to PV ad solar systems i Australia are wid loads geerally i a upward directio. This places great importace o ot oly Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 8
Material compatibility Compatibility of metals i cotact or i close proximity to each other is detailed i various sectios of the BCA but most relevatly i the Roof Claddig sectio of Volume 2, table 3.5.1.2 ad i AS 1562 - Desig ad Istallatio of Sheet Roof ad Wall Claddig - Metal. Materials used i the solar systems or their fixigs must be checked for their compatibility with materials ad fasteers o the supportig roof structure or where water may, for example, ru over the PV system before dischargig oto metal surfaces below. I some circumstaces separatio strips prevetig close cotact betwee differig metal materials may be ecessary. the paels ad supportig brackets ad rails icludig coectio to the structure below. Uless the suitability of existig supportig costructios ca be adequately assessed by the builder or desiger, egieerig advice should be sought regardig the potetial affect the istallatio of the solar system ad ay associated water tak will have o the existig structure. The compositio of materials used i the maufacture of the systems ad associated coectors ad fasteers should be obtaied from the maufacturer ad assessed for compatibility with existig adjacet or dowstream materials used o the existig structure. The ability of the existig structure to remai weather-tight aroud ay fasteers ad fixigs should be maitaied through good costructio practice based o recommedatios for flashigs,cappigs ad sealats specified by the relevat existig roof claddig maufacturer or as detailed i the BCA. All fixigs securely tighteed (ote black strip to separate differet metals) Weather-tight istallatios Suitable weather-tight flashigs ad cappigs to peetratios for fasteers ad service pipes will vary depedig upo the type of roof coverig o the existig structure. The system used however must, i additio to beig weather-tight, be durable, able to resist expasio ad cotractio of adjoiig materials ad should ot rely solely o sealats. Ability to resist hail ad other impact. Test methods to esure that paels are able to offer a reasoable level of resistace to hail ad other impacts are curretly uder cosideratio. Summary ad recommedatios Util adequate testig methods are developed regardig resistace to hail ad other impacts this advice should be sought from the maufacturer ad should iclude the basis or test method used to determie the advice. QUEENSLAND SOLAR BONUS SCHEME FOR CONSUMERS The Queeslad Solar Bous Scheme rewards eligible households ad other small electricity customers that istall solar power (photovoltaic) reewable eergy systems by payig them for the excess electricity they geerate ad retur to the grid. The Queeslad Solar Bous Scheme is a et tariff scheme which meas that at ay poit i time whe your household cosumes less electricity tha your PV system is geeratig, you are paid for the surplus electricity that is fed back ito the grid. The Scheme is scheduled to ed o 1 July 2014. Both builders ad cosumers should seek advice from system maufacturers to esure that ay maufactured system for istallatio i Queeslad provides istallatio details for the wid regio applicable to the site that clearly details the type, umber ad locatio of fixigs ad coectios for Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 9 Key eligibility To be eligible for the Queeslad Solar Bous Scheme feed-i tariff, you must: cosume less tha 100 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity a year;
purchase ad istall a ew solar power system or operate a existig system that is coected to the Queeslad electricity grid; geerate surplus electricity that is fed ito the Queeslad electricity grid; have a agreemet i place with your electricity distributor (Ergo Eergy, ENERGEX or Coutry Eergy) ad have appropriate meterig istalled; have a solar PV system with a capacity that does ot exceed 5 kilowatts (kw); hold a electricity accout with a electricity retailer; ad submit oly oe applicatio per eligible premises. Homeowers, ladlords, reters ad small busiesses are eligible to apply. Reters should check with their ladlord before istallig solar power systems. A umber of other coditios apply. Check your eligibility o the Queeslad Govermet Office of Clea Eergy website. accordig to market coditios. Owers of solar PV power systems ca register, sell, trade or surreder RECs for Small Geeratio Uits up to 100kW. You could also be eligible for fiacial assistace to help with the cost of istallig a small-scale solar system uder the Australia Govermet s Small-scale Reewable Eergy Scheme. Next steps The full implicatios of ay proposed istallatio must be cosidered before proceedig. Further iformatio ca be obtaied from the Departmet of Eergy ad Water Supply o 13 43 87. Feed-i credits or paymets may have implicatios if ay Cetrelik or other beefit paymets are received. They may also be cosidered as assessable icome by the Australia Taxatio Office. Moetary Rebates Feed-i tariff The Queeslad govermet offers a feed-i tariff for excess electricity retured to the grid by homeowers. This tariff is curretly 8 cets per KWh (July 12 2013) ad is calculated as a et iput. It is calculated by deductig the amout of electricity used from the amout iput. The homeower receives a rebate of 8 cets for each kilowatt hour of electricity retured to the grid i excess of usage. Your electricity bill will be credited at a rate of 8 cets per kilowatt hour (kwh) for the surplus eergy you feed ito the grid. Whe your meter is read, the amout of surplus electricity exported to the grid ad the amout imported from the grid will be passed oto your electricity retailer. Ay surplus will be credited to the electricity accout for the property where the system is istalled. Reewable Eergy Certificates (RECs) (kow as STC s sice the advet of SRES i Jue 2010) STCs are a electroic form of currecy created by the Reewable Eergy (Electricity) Act 2000 (also kow as the RET scheme). Oe REC is equivalet to oe megawatt hour of electricity geerated by solar PV Small Geeratio Uits. The price of RECs chages Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 10
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qbcc queeslad buildig ad costructio commissio www.qbcc.qld.gov.au 1300 272 272 Solar Istallatio Guide 30112013 12