Living in South Africa became quite a challenge on various fronts – I focus on electrical installations, which is not dealt with according to regulations.
According to the South African Building Regulations, lately named SANS codes, any electrical installation in South Africa, to be legal needs to be signed off by a qualified Electrician, and a Certificate of Compliance issued by a qualified electrician must be obtained in terms of the specific SANS code that drive electrical installations.
Not following these procedures, and not having a signed off COC, means your installation is illegal, and in the event of a fire, flood, or power surge you might be left without cover from your Insurer if you had an illegal installation, with no Certificate of Compliancy in your hands.
Some start-up a Generator and link the generator to the nearest electrical plug in the house, disabling the main switch. It might also be the case with Solar Panels charging batteries, and inverters plugged into the electrical system of the house.
Just here a big problem can occur, forgetting to switch off the main switch and Eskom power comes back on, you will sit with a power surge, leading to multiple appliance losses, and even a fire at your home.
Business Tech in a recent article published on Google, also emphasized the dangers of “your backup plan.” My advice will be to follow the legal route, not endangering your family with electrical shocks, and in the event of something going wrong, you have a COC, and your Insurer will reach out with a helping hand.
These are just some of the important considerations that One Energy suggests you look at:
- The NRS-097 regulations specify which inverters are approved to be connected to the grid. When the NRS regulations are enforced nationally – a non-approved inverter will essentially be an illegal, non-compliant connection.
- Safety and Compliance is key – You’re connecting a rooftop electricity plant to your most valuable asset – your home or business – so you don’t want to get it wrong. Remember that a non-compliant system has significant implications for your insurance.
- Every component in your system needs to be compatible – not every inverter is compatible with every battery, not every inverter can be expanded with solar panels, and in fact even different makes of electricity meters can prove problematic.
- Do your homework – One Energy has been called out to assist on countless occasions where consumers have been left in the lurch by dodgy contractors who are no longer around to support their systems.
- Membership of a Professional Industry body – Check whether your provider is registered and a current member of professional industry bodies such as SAPVIA.
- Insurance – Do they have the requisite business insurance such as public and contractor’s liability and goods in transit cover to insure your goods while in storage and transit to your site?
- Product Quality and Certifications – Check that solar panels are compliant with IEC standards. Is your inverter compliant with NRS-097 regulations which define which inverters are approved to be legally connected to the grid? Is your solar geyser SABS-approved? Is your installation done according to SANS-standards? Will you receive a PV Greencard with your installation?
- Quality Management – Check whether your provider has a CRM system that records the detailed installation and service history of your system from day 1, which means consistent quality control, warranty management and business continuity for you.
So, Insurers will not provide the specifics regards compliance however, will require evidence of due diligence and compliance relating to Products and Installations in the event of a claim arising and the duty and onus in this regard vests with the Insured (the Client).
REMINDER:
Once you have installed your “Off the Grid” solution please be reminded to provide us with written confirmation in this regard as well as Costs of Replacement of the various components so that we can review current Asset policies and amend cover to ensure all is adequately covered for the Insurable perils as may apply.