Solar system layouts
This advisory note outlines common non-compliances found when Building Commission NSW conduct inspections of electrical installations. It provides guidance to help licensed electricians and contractors carry out safe and compliant installations.
| Note | 6/2023 |
| Last updated | August 2025 |
| For | Licensees / Contractors / the Electrical Industry |
| Issued by | Building Commission NSW – Electrical Inspections Team |
| Scope | Applies to all of NSW |
Purpose
The purpose of this advisory note is to inform industry of some common non-compliances found when Building Commission NSW inspectors conduct inspections of electrical installations.
Reference
AS/NZS 5033 2020 - Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic (PV) arrays
What is the non-compliance?
No PV system layout is display/provided at the main meter panel containing all relevant system details.
Section 5.6 of AS/NZS 5033 2020, Installation and safety requirements for photovoltaic arrays, states that the solar system layout shall be shown on a plan (map or drawing) located at the main switchboard and/or meter box, fire panel.
The site information sign shall:
- be legible and be sufficiently durable for the location, i.e., be laminated or protected by a solid clear sheet (Perspex, etc);
- be fixed permanently in a manner appropriate for the location
- be in English
- be labelled “PV (Solar) site information” in white letters with a red background
- show the location address as recorded for the installation
- contain a plan view of the building showing the location of the PCE, the PV array(s);
NOTE 1: An elevation plan view of the building may also be included for more complex installations. - contain a legend for the map or clearly label to identify key components and building reference points
- identify the location of the site information sign with the words “you are here”
- be as accurate as practicable ensuring the various components on the drawing are indicative of the actual installation; and
- installation date
NOTE 2: See Figure A.5 for example.
NOTE 3: In addition to the requirements of this Clause, electronic links such as QR codes may be added to provide additional information.
5.6.1.1 Additional information for PV d.c. systems
Additional site information for PV d.c. systems shall include:
- the path of the d.c. cabling
- the location of d.c. disconnection point(s) indicated by “DP”
- the location of additional load break disconnector(s)
- PV array size
- d.c. Voltage; and
- contain a warning where d.c. disconnection type(s) can only be operated by suitable qualified personnel.
EXCEPTION: These requirements do not apply for systems with a calculated PV d.c. circuit maximum voltage is less than 120 V d.c. and where the inverter is located within 1.5 m of the connected PV module using d.c. disconnection consistent with Clause 4.5.3.1
How to comply
Figure A.5 of AS/NZS 5033 show an example of a typical solar system layout. This example shows a basic example of how best to set out your solar system layout showing panel location cable path switch board and inverter location along with disconnection points. The layout must be permanently fixed in a suitable manner and made of or protected by a suitable material.
It is also required to include the other requirement of Clause 5.6.1. and 5.6.1.1
- The installation address,
- A legend for key components,
- The installation date,
- A “you are here” label
And for PV d.c. system over 120v d.c.
- Location of additional load break disconnector,
- PV array size in kW and d.c. Voltage,
- a “disconnection by suitable qualified personal” warning
What we are finding
In most cases during inspection of sites, a system layout is placed in the switch board but does not contain sufficient information as required by Clause 5.6 of AS/NZS 5033 or is just a piece of paper wedged into the side of the meter panel, while a few sites contain no system layout at all.
Non-compliant installation
In this example, an installation was inspected and no site information layout was display in the customers switch board and the customer had no other copy provided with their other system documentation.
Compliant installation
This is a good example of how the layout should be presented. Laminated printout attached to the switchboard display all the information relating to the installed system.
Contact Electrical Compliance Team
This advisory note has been approved for issue by the Electrical Compliance Team.
Information contained within this document is current at the time it was last updated and refers to codes and standards current at the time of writing.
Building Commission NSW disclaims any liability (including for negligence) to any person in respect of anything done, or not done, by that person in whole or partial reliance on any of the information in this advisory note.
For more information, please email: electricalcompliance@customerservice.nsw.gov.au