Solar system labels may often seem like an afterthought or a tick on a regulatory checkbox. However, any good electrician or solar installer in Australia knows not to underestimate the value of clear, compliant and durable solar system labelling. It enables a safe, easily-maintained solar installation and stands as testament to the installer’s quality of work.
But aren’t solar labels standard? Not necessarily. For instance, careless or unscrupulous parties may use low-quality materials that fade easily, print incorrect information on the labels, or haphazardly place labels in low-visibility areas. These may put electricians at risk, complicate future maintenance, and potentially render the installation non-compliant.
In this blog, we’ll delve deeper into the benefits of proper solar labelling, how to label optimally based on AS/NZS 5033:2021, and the characteristics of a high-quality solar label kit.
The Importance of Proper Solar Labelling
- On-Site Safety
The purpose of labelling the solar system is to communicate essential safety information instantly to any electrician who may need to work on the system in the future. This can include hazardous materials, operating voltage, and precise shutdown procedures for different parts of the system.
National guidelines for solar installation labelling include detailed stipulations for colour, legends, language and material type to ensure that electricians can easily read and recognise the labels, as well as the content. This minimises the potential for confusion and accidental mishaps.
- Easier Maintenance and Troubleshooting
As with all electrical systems, a PV system’s components may need repair, replacement, or inspection throughout its lifespan. Proper labelling can make this process more efficient by clearly marking the relevant components and displaying the necessary information at a glance, especially if the servicing personnel is not the original installer.
For instance, having clear labels on DC isolators (if present), DC disconnection points, junction boxes, and MC4 connector termination points — along with a detailed site map in the meterbox — means electricians can diagnose a short-circuit fault in a PV system within minutes instead of hours.
- Compliance with AS/NZS 5033:2021 Standards
Labelling isn’t just for convenience — it’s also a necessity. In Australia, the AS/NZS 5033:2021 requires clear labelling at specific locations of the PV system to enhance safety and easy maintenance.
If labels aren’t up to par, the installation can be rated substandard due to safety risks, which could incur penalties for the installer from fines to accreditation cancellations. Meanwhile, homeowners may not receive solar credits to offset their electricity bills, be ineligible for solar-related government rebates and incentives, or need to rectify the installation at their own cost.
- Reduced Downtime
Every minute that a solar power system is down means more money lost for clients via either higher power bills or reduced feed-in tariff income. Besides making it easier for electricians to identify and solve issues, quality labels can further help slash this downtime by enabling more precise rectification, which might minimise the impact to the system while fixes are in progress.
For instance, if the MC4 connector in a particular solar panel string is damaged, clear labels such as “PV String Disconnection Point” can help electricians isolate the affected string and perform repairs. In systems designed with string-level isolators or disconnects, this allows the rest of the PV system to remain operational during maintenance and reduces the financial impact.
- Enhanced Professionalism
Just like a product’s packaging hints at a business’s level of care and professionalism, the same goes for technicians and solar system labelling. Clear, neat, and accurate work indicates a detail-oriented installer that takes pride in doing their job right — especially if the labels also include their brand. Conversely, inaccurate and sloppy labelling won’t leave a good impression.
Think clients won’t notice or be able to tell the difference? They might not, but the experts that they hire in the future for system maintenance will. It can be very damaging for your business to have a reputation for bad work within the industry, especially if your peers start recommending that customers avoid choosing you due to poor work quality.
Best Practices for Compliant Solar Labelling
As mentioned, technicians, installers, and other solar professionals must adhere closely to the Australian Standards for solar labelling in order to remain compliant.
Below is a breakdown of some of the key label requirements and/or recommendations for different types of components and different locations.
- Roof Labels
- Manhole Label: Required only when there are DC cables within the roof space, specifically when using distribution points (DPs). The label must be placed adjacent to the manhole, visible, and within arm’s reach.
- PV String Disconnection Point: Install this label within 300mm of the MC4 connectors used for string isolation.
- DP Tags: Marks the disconnection points along the DC cables and are installed within 100mm of the DP MC4 solar connectors.
- Warning Hazardous DC Voltage: Installed on the junction box and alerts electricians to live DC circuits.
- Inverter Labels
- Warning Multiple DC Sources: Required where inverters are supplied by more than one PV source. Install this label on or adjacent to the inverter.
- PV Array DC Isolator: Needed whenever a load-break disconnection device is present on the PV array side.
- Solar Shutdown Procedure: A step-by-step label showing how to shut the system down safely. Commonly installed on or adjacent to the inverter.
- Inverter AC Isolator: Identifies the alternating current (AC) isolator switch located adjacent to the inverter.
- Switchboard Labels
- Main Switch (Inverter Supply) / Main Switch (Grid Supply): Labelled adjacent to the corresponding main switch in the switchboard. Labels must be clearly visible and compliant with current standards.
- Warning: Multiple Supplies: Installed in a prominent position on or near the switchboard escutcheon to alert electricians and emergency responders that multiple energy sources (e.g., grid and inverter) are connected.
- Meterbox Labels
- PV (DP), PV (SW), PV (AC): Installed on the meter box lid to identify the PV disconnection point, solar switch, and PV AC supply respectively.
- Site Map: A complete system layout plan showing the PV array location, isolation points and cable routes placed in a sturdy plastic sleeve.
Signs of a Quality Solar Labelling Kit
Even the most accurate label placement won’t matter if the labels can’t handle Australia’s tough environmental conditions, which is why they have to be made right from the start. A high-quality labelling kit should contain labels that meet the following characteristics:
- UV-Resistant: Critical to preventing fading in Australia’s high UV environment.
- Weatherproof: Labels should be resistant to wind, rain, dust, and salt sprays (especially in coastal areas)
- Strong Adhesive or Mechanical Fixing: Labels need to remain attached to surfaces such as inverters, meter box lids, and switchboards.
- Clear and Legible Fonts: Easily readable from a reasonable distance, with high-contrast text and backgrounds.
- AS/NZS 5033:2021 Compliant: Labels must meet size, colour and wording requirements.
Besides standard-issue labels, some solar label providers now also allow label customisation. This means that you could add your own logo to the solar label and make your work instantly recognisable. Another use case would be if your system has non-standard configurations that require specific guidelines or instructions for repairs.
Put A (Quality) Label On It
For professionals in the solar industry, properly labelling the solar system is an essential part of every installation. They not only ensure safety, streamline maintenance, and safeguard your reputation, but also guarantee compliance with stringent Australian standards.
If you’re looking to upgrade your solar installations, consider exploring credible suppliers that offer high-quality pre-printed and custom label solutions to meet the high demands of Australia’s solar industry. In a saturated market where reputation matters, proper labelling is one of the simplest yet most powerful ways for you to stand out from the crowd.