Solar Standards Reference
The standards behind a compliant solar and battery install — what each one covers and where it applies, in plain English.
This is a plain-English overview of what each standard governs — not the standard text itself. Standards are published by Standards Australia / Standards New Zealand and the IEC, and are revised periodically; always work to the current edition and have a licensed professional confirm compliance. The focus here is Australian (AS/NZS), with the key international (IEC) product standards.
Installation & safety
Standards Australia / NZ
Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays — DC-side layout, isolation, maximum array voltage, earthing and signage.
Applies to The DC side of every grid-connected and off-grid PV array.
Standards Australia / NZ
Installation requirements for grid-connected energy systems via inverters.
Applies to How inverter-connected grid systems are installed.
Standards Australia / NZ
The Wiring Rules — the overarching standard for the safety of electrical installations.
Applies to All electrical work, including the AC side of solar.
Grid connection & inverters
Standards Australia / NZ
Inverter requirements for grid connection — anti-islanding, power quality, and voltage/frequency response, including the regional settings inverters ship with.
Applies to Grid-connected solar and battery inverters.
IEC
Safety of power converters for use in photovoltaic power systems — electrical safety of the inverter as a product.
Applies to Inverter product-level electrical safety.
Cabling & protection
Standards Australia / NZ
Selection of cables — current-carrying capacity (ampacity) and voltage-drop sizing for conductors.
Applies to Sizing DC string and AC cabling.
Batteries
Standards Australia / NZ
Safety of battery systems used with power conversion equipment — installation, location, and protection of battery energy storage.
Applies to Home and commercial battery storage installs.
Product qualification (modules)
IEC
Design qualification and type approval for crystalline-silicon terrestrial PV modules — performance and durability testing.
Applies to PV module performance certification.
IEC
Photovoltaic module safety qualification — construction requirements and safety testing.
Applies to PV module safety certification.
Commissioning & off-grid
IEC
Requirements for testing, documentation and maintenance of grid-connected PV systems — commissioning tests and handover documentation.
Applies to Commissioning and handover of grid-connected systems.
Standards Australia / NZ
Stand-alone power systems — design and installation of off-grid systems.
Applies to Off-grid (stand-alone) power systems.
Need the full text? Standards are available from Standards Australia and the IEC. This page is general information, not advice — see our Disclaimer.