Various videos and groups have appeared on the Internet, where people advise each other how to install photovoltaic panels on their own, without authorized companies. These practices are illegal and extremely dangerous, as they are improvisations that threaten people’s lives and can affect the entire distribution network in the area, ANRE said. Fines can reach 100,000 lei, and the distributor has the right to disable these installations.

In accordance with the law, for the installation of a system of photovoltaic panels, a company authorized by NARE must draw up documentation and perform the work. This documentation takes into account the consumption needs of this house and other technical details so that the installation meets the safety standards. In essence, the company undertakes that the installation will work optimally in relation to the production and consumption in the respective building.

In addition, the distributor in the region needs this information to be able to take over the energy produced by this consumer and at the same time balance the grid.

Some consumers, however, prefer to skip the step of engaging a company and do the installation themselves, claiming that the rates charged by companies are too high. They then pay someone from an authorized firm to certify their work.

“I was robbed by a company, and I’m fed up with them”

If we type “how to make your own solar panels” on YouTube, we will find many videos of this kind called “DIY” (“do it yourself”) or even “homemade panels”.

What people posting are saying:

• “How to install a network yourself without scam companies. For those who wrote to me that they want to make an injection system for themselves (not on the network), on the grid. You all know that you need documentation that you need to submit to the National Energy Agency or I don’t know which supplier you are to (actually it needs to be submitted to the distributor – no). The systems were installed privately, they had an electrician they knew, he ticked him that everything was fine, much cheaper systems were installed.”
• “I got stung by one company and I’m tired of them, and I tend to think that some of the comments are made by these companies who are concerned, you know, that a person is doing their system at home, separately. Well, if a man can do it, what’s the problem? What, you lose commissions?”.
• “I’m in several groups where similar things are discussed. They were made and are being made, that’s how, I didn’t know, they stung me, but I put the second chain of panels myself.”
• “These companies that inflate the rates – beware! First, find the right person to do your documentation, I’ll tell you somewhere for 1000 lei, someone with 300 euros will do it, I won’t name names, but there are companies and people who do documentation.”
• “It’s a spell that you can’t, you can, only you haven’t found the right person, but you’re still looking. Once you find the person, you get the panels, the inverter, install them yourself, check the box and you’re done. Those who have companies that only know how to shove expensive inverters down their throats suffer. If you are rude, you deserve it, why do you bully people? Shame on you!”
• “Let’s make an educational video. I want to show you my photovoltaic system. Now, since the prices of electricity and gas have increased, everyone wants to get rid of the burden of bills. So I made a photovoltaic system with my own hands. Recently, many have done so.”

There is also a private Facebook group called “DIY Photovoltaic Installations” with 14,200 members where people ask for advice on various situations and equipment.

Any installation should only be carried out by authorized companies

Dumitru Chisăliță is an energy expert and president of the Intelligent Energy Association, an organization that has been installing photovoltaic panels on isolated houses of needy people in rural areas for several years.

“Any electrical installation must be carried out only by companies authorized by ANRE. Otherwise, all improvisations without approval are extremely dangerous and can affect both the house in question and the network in the area,” he told HotNews.ro.

These do-it-yourself practices are illegal and can be criminal in nature, as both people and goods in that home, as well as the entire network they are connected to, are at risk.

The person who makes the installation himself, as well as the company that films someone else’s work under its management, are against the law.

Kiselice also says that it is true that the prices companies are asking for labor are high, as demand has increased significantly recently, but people’s safety is at stake.

A recent tragedy is that at Ferma Dacilor, where the electrical installation turned out to be underrated. What happened there remains to be seen, but it is known for sure that the guest house was supplied from a point of consumption 650 meters away, which had a permit for a water pump and a certificate of connection to a residential building with photovoltaic panels, when in fact it needed an entire transformer station to cover its consumption.

Pay attention to whether the companies are authorized by ANRE or not

Another dangerous phenomenon is represented by companies that install photovoltaic panels, even if they do not have a permit from ANRE.

Beneficiaries of the Casa Verde program have at their disposal a list of companies authorized by both ANRE and the Environmental Fund Administration. But most consumers are not beneficiaries of this program and install their panels at their own expense, feeling tempted to hire a company that charges them less money.

If we do not work with authorized companies, we are exposed to dangers such as the use of poor quality materials and neglect of electrical safety regulations, which lead to an increased risk of short circuits and fires.

ANRE: This is illegal and the distributor has the right to disable improvised installations

Although the Internet is flooded, ANRE representatives say they are not aware of such a practice.

“The design and execution of works to connect users to public electric networks, including those related to the electricity production facility, by persons who are not authorized persons or business entities certified/certified by NARE, are illegal, according to current legislation,” the authority sent to HotNews.ro’s request.

It is also not in accordance with the law that we carry out the installation ourselves and ask for the signature of authorized persons or a “tick”, as those who posted such advice say.

“The regulations applicable to the connection state that the documents sent to the distribution operator with the request to connect the PV panels to the points of consumption and which form part of the user installation file (DIU) must be drawn up by the installer concerned,” he explains to ANRE.

From a technical point of view, those who make improvisations are exposed to the risk that the power generation facilities will be executed inappropriately and during the connection process they will not be able to be connected by the distribution operator, say specialists of the department.

Even after connection to voltage, there is a risk that such installations, carried out without authorized expertise, will lead to non-compliance with the technical parameters of the quality of electricity at the disconnection point, to the detriment of both the owner of the place of consumption and production, since as well as other users connected to the electricity network public interest in this area or even accidents.

In such situations, the distribution operator has the right to demand the elimination of discrepancies.

If the consumer does not comply with the operator’s request, he disconnects the production facility, taking all necessary measures to prevent its reconnection, or disconnects the place of consumption and production, if the consumer refuses the access of the distribution operator to the premises where production takes place. production is located at the facilities.

From a legal point of view, according to the provisions of the Law on Electricity and Natural Gas, the design, execution and inspection of electrical installations without a certificate and permit is a violation and is punishable by a fine of 1,000 to 2,000 lei in the case of natural persons and a fine of 5,000 to 100,000 lei for legal entities. In accordance with the law, the determination and application of sanctions in case of this offense is carried out by authorized representatives of NARE.

Regarding the rates set by the companies carrying out such works, which people complain are too high, NARE says it has no authority or power to regulate them. “Therefore, we are not in a position to give a conclusion on them.”

Guides with the necessary steps for installing and connecting photovoltaic panels can be found both on the NARE website and on the websites of energy distribution companies.

Read also Fraud with photovoltaic panels: some consumers illegally change the settings of the inverter and inject more electricity into the grid / What solutions ANRE sees

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