DSB letter 23.06.2023:

For those building solar cell systems
DSB’s social mission is to ensure electrical safety in Norway. There is a continuous technological development where new products are used, and where products have a wider range of applications than we have seen before. DSB’s focus areas therefore reflect the changes taking place in the electrical industry and society. In recent years, the number of solar cell systems has grown rapidly, and this trend is expected to continue for many years to come. We are committed to a safe development that does not lead to unwanted incidents.

DSB would therefore like to remind you of the regulatory requirements that apply to those who build photovoltaic systems.

Who can build photovoltaic systems?
A company that offers to perform/performs work related to electrical installations is subject to special rules, including registration and the use of qualified personnel. These provisions also apply to those who build photovoltaic systems, which are electrical installations.

A registered electrical company that satisfies the company requirements and qualification requirements to be registered in the Electricity Company Register, with relevant tasks and types of plant and equipment ticked off, can offer and perform electrical installation of photovoltaic systems.

Regulations on electrical enterprises and qualification requirements for work related to electrical installations and electrical equipment:
https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2013-06-19-739?q=Forskrift%20om%20elektroforetak%20og%20kvalifikasjonskrav

§3 Obligation to register
More information about the Electricity Business Register here:
https://www.dsb.no/lover/elektriske-anlegg-og-elektrisk-utstyr/tema/info_elvirksomhetsregisteret/#om-elvirksomhetsregisteret

What qualifications do solar installers need to have?
The company that is going to build a photovoltaic system must have a permanently employed technical manager who meets the qualification requirements for this role.

The main task of the responsible professional is to ensure electrical safety during the construction and maintenance of electrical installations, and must ensure that the company uses qualified persons so that the safety of the work and the quality of the deliveries are fully safeguarded.

The electrical installation in a photovoltaic system includes all electrical connections and interconnections, cabling, laying of feeds and installation of inverters and everything else that will be part of the electrical installation. This work must be carried out by qualified personnel, i.e. persons with a relevant certificate in the electrical field. Unskilled workers employed by the company may also be used to carry out the construction and maintenance of electrical installations (unskilled workers are defined as persons who do not have a relevant certificate in electrical engineering). However, this assumes that unskilled workers, like qualified personnel, are covered by the electrical company’s internal control. The unskilled worker has received adequate training and is directly supervised by a person in the electrical contractor who at least meets the requirement for a relevant certificate in the electrical trade.

Construction of parts of a photovoltaic system that are not initially a direct part of the electrical system will, for example, be the installation of roof fasteners and rails/frames, carrying and placement of equipment that will be part of the photovoltaic system. This work can be carried out by people who are not qualified electricians. However, this assumes that the electrical company and the company carrying out the building work have regulated this work in accordance with the principles in the regulations on coordination and coordination:
(see Section 14 of the Building Regulations, Section 6 of the Internal Control Regulations and Section 2-2 second paragraph of the Working Environment Act).

The professional responsible has a special responsibility when using unskilled workers in this context.

Regulations on electrical enterprises and qualification requirements for work related to electrical installations and electrical equipment
§7. Qualification requirements for the person with professional responsibility for work related to electrical installations

In the magazine Elsikkerhet no. 91, DSB has previously clarified the requirements that apply to the construction of photovoltaic systems.
https://www.dsb.no/globalassets/dokumenter/elsikkerhet-els/elsikkerhet-magasinet/elsikkerhet-91.pdf

DSB is represented in the various parts of the country by regional offices and the Local Electrical Inspectorate (DLE). DLE will now be focusing extra attention on photovoltaic systems and the work that takes place on this type of system.

DSB wishes you a happy and electrically safe summer.

Yours sincerely
DSB
Electrical safety section

Tom Erik Jonberg Robert Krahl
Responsible for regulations fek Responsible for regulations fse