New Zealand: Solar Battery Packs May Have to Be Stored Outside in Fireproof Enclosure Under Proposed New Rules

August 7th, 2017

Disclosure: I sell solar power systems in New Zealand.

Behold, the batshit insane machinations of an out of control retail electricity cartel in its death throes.

Via: Stuff:

A new proposed battery safety standard would stop the installation of solar power systems’ battery packs, which have been described as the “future of energy”.

Consultation is open on the standard, which would ban lithium ion batteries inside a dwelling, under the eaves of a house or within a metre of it. Installed beyond that distance, the batteries would have to be in a fireproof enclosure.

However, there are believed to be no known house fires caused by home-installed lithium ion batteries.

Putting them outside in a purpose-built enclosure would add at least $1000 to the cost of installation, he said.

“The irony is that you can drive into the garage with your electric vehicle and most have a battery that’s three times the size of the Tesla Powerwall. And you can drive into a garage with a 60L tank of petrol.”

The standard would not apply retrospectively, so any installations before it came into force would be allowed to remain.

Solar installer Phil Rumble said the idea was “madness”. “Why don’t they move gas cookers outside?”

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