Residential solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems guideline draft out for public comment

The guideline, identified as DZ PAS 6014 provides valuable advice for: 

• Consumers, on choosing an appropriate solar and/or battery-storage system aligned with your specific needs, and understanding what you need to know to sell surplus electricity back into the system.
• Government agencies, suppliers and installers of solar PV and distributed generation equipment and energy service retailers. The PAS explains the regulatory requirements for installing and/or connecting a solar system to the electricity grid.

Developed to help solar users make the right decisions

The PAS was developed by the P4790 technical advisory group comprising members representing a range of electrical-related associations, technology and installers, electricity providers and health and safety. The guidance references and draws upon a number of AS/NZS and IEC standards as well as legislation to ensure it reflects latest good practice. The guide will also work in conjunction with advice in SNZ PAS 6012:2022 Smart homes guidelines to enable demand flexibility opportunities. 

The PAS will be sponsored by EECA - the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority – to help consumers and those in related industry adopt and use the best technology and avoid less efficient products. With greater uptake of home solar PV technology this could also benefit New Zealand through reduced demand on the electricity network, lowering the need for infrastructure upgrades.

One simple step you can take to understand how solar PV technology would work on your property, is to check out the information on EECA’s Gen Less site:

Rooftop solar — benefits and tips for your home | Gen Less(external link)

At the core of the PAS is guidance to help homeowners understand the benefits of solar and becoming energy secure and self-sufficient (particularly in preparation for natural disasters or weather events). It also aims to help inform you on how to maximise the performance of your solar installation, how to best save money, reduce your carbon footprint and avoid common pitfalls.

The PAS will explain common terminology, pricing plan options and solar panel construction. It also covers more complex issues like understanding and participating in the electricity market, supply and demand, home energy management systems, smart grids and demand-response flexibility.

What is a PAS?

Publicly available specifications are documents that are not national standards, but which are produced by a national standards body to respond to a particular market need. PAS requires consensus of the experts within the technical working group.

They are reviewed after three years and can be extended to six years - after which they normally become a standard, so adhering to the guidance they provide can help anticipate and future-proof any investments.

Help shape the final draft

This comprehensive draft version is the result of the technical advisory group’s combined knowledge, experiences and input. However, now is your opportunity to help shape the final version. Public consultation allows anyone with an interest to provide feedback or suggestions to help shape the final version.

You can review the draft version on Standards New Zealand’s Consultation hub, where you will also find a form for feedback submissions. Once public consultation closes on 7 May 2025, the technical advisory group will review all feedback and make any changes they consider appropriate. They will then vote on the final version to ensure consensus - so that the PAS works for all those who are likely to use, or be impacted by it.

Have your say and help shape tomorrow’s best practice guidance:

Have your say at Citizen Space - consultation hub(external link)