Fresh industry concerns have been raised over the Queensland government’s decision to restrict the installation of solar panels to licensed electricians on large solar projects, with claims projects currently under construction will blow out in cost and be delayed by months.
The new rule, which is due to become law on May 13, prevents anyone but licensed electricians to mount, locate, fix or remove solar panels on projects of 100kW.
After first coming to our attention on Monday, the regulation change was confirmed on Tuesday by Queensland’s minister for industry, Grace Grace, and quickly condemned by industry body Clean Energy Council and a number of irate solar installers.
But the objections to a rule change that has been variously described as “absurd,” “outrageous” and “ridiculous” just keep coming.
The latest, from the developer of a major solar project currently being built in Queensland, warns that the rush to push the rule change through will have significant unintended consequences for projects mid-way through construction
“Worse, there has been no consideration of appropriate transition arrangements for these projects that are mid-contract.
“Our initial advice is that the cost to build (this project in Queensland) will blow out by up to $4 million, which is four times more than …the Queensland government’s Explanatory Notes (forecast) the impact to be.
“It is also likely to cause delays of more than three months, due to difficulties sourcing enough licensed electricians.”
“This will have flow on impacts to financing (which was only secured for the original contract sum plus a small contingency) and other contracts such as an off-take agreements with third parties for LGCs,” the developer said.
“More importantly though, this will result in instant job losses for people who are already employed on these projects.
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