Upskill to prepare for solar regulations

With Queensland's solar regulations set to begin on 13 May, the Electrical Safety Office has released information on the training options available for electrical workers.

It stated that Construction Skills Queensland (CSQ) has a number of subsidised training courses to ensure workers are competent in working with solar PV and electrical equipment on solar farms, including:

• Apply currency of safe working practices and compliance verification of electrical installations (UEENEEG197A)
• Conduct in-service safety testing of electrical cord connected equipment and cord assemblies (UEENEEP026A)
• Conduct compliance inspection of single-phase LV electrical installations (UEENEEG122A)
• Conduct compliance inspection of LV electrical installations with demand exceeding 100 A per phase (UEENEEG123A)
• Solve basic problems in photovoltaic energy apparatus and systems (UEENEEK125A)
• Design grid connected photovoltaic power supply systems (UEENEEK135A)
• Perform rescue from a live LV panel (UETTDRRF06B)
• Certificate IV in Electrical – Renewable Energy (UEE41911)
• Certificate IV in Hazardous areas – Electrical (UEE42611)
   

Other courses relevant to the construction, operation and maintenance of solar farms are also available, including: Apply occupational health and safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace (UEENEEE101A); Work safely at heights (CPCCCM2010B); and Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices (BSBSUS201).

Despite the fact industry has voiced concerns about the new regulations, the ESO recommends upskilling in preparation for their implementation.

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/Lisa F. Young