Government agency EECA has published a list of 20 solar panels that it says have met certain technical specifications for efficiency and demand flexibility.
The specifications cover:
- Minimum standards for energy efficiency across devices specifically designed for residential (10kW or less) and small business solar systems.
- Solar panel durability standards for wind, hail, exposure to elements, and temperature, as well as safety tests.
- Batteries (soon to be added) expected to retain at least 60% capacity after 3,000 cycles.
- Future-proofed equipment that is smart-grid ready, interoperable with other devices, including other smart home devices.
The list of panels will continue to grow, and EECA has plans to add lists of approved inverters and batteries for residential PV systems.
It says that solar panels last 25-30 years, ‘so ensuring that systems installed on New Zealand homes are efficient and smart will help maximise the value from the energy they generate, over the course of their lives.’
The list and the approval process is completely voluntary and equipment not on the list may still be specified and installed.
EECA also publishes a list of approved residential EV chargers, and a list of approved photovoltaic systems is soon to come.
https://www.eeca.govt.nz/regulations/voluntary-guidance/solar-products-approved-list/