Page 10 - Climate Control News Dec-Jan 21
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                  World News
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    International
fire safety
warning
ENPHASE ENERGY HAS released a detailed report that raises questions about the fire safety standards for Australian solar energy systems, including the use of a safety device that has be- come a common cause for solar system fires.
Titled A Comparison of Australian and US Residential Solar Markets, the report found Australian solar energy systems cost about half the price of those in the US but it raised concerns about local safety standards.
“Australia makes it easier for homeowners to install rooftop solar... but at what cost?” the report said.
While US incentives for installing solar sys- tems may be similar to those in Australia, they are far less lucrative.
The Enphase report notes that Australia has struggled with a rash of solar-related fires dur- ing the past decade. “According to the Fire In- vestigation and Research Unit superintendent of Fire and Rescue NSW, solar-related fires in that state have increased five-fold over the last five years,” the report said.
To address this issue, the Australian Standard AS/NZS 5033 mandated the use of DC isolators for solar systems with string inverter in 2012.
However, the report said DC isolators can easily degrade and malfunction, and have be- come a common cause for solar system fires.
“In NSW alone, there is a 20 per cent increase in fires related to solar panels since last year, with more than 50 per cent caused by DC isola- tors,” the report said.
“Australia is currently the only country that requires DC isolators, but this is currently un- der reconsideration due to safety concerns. In addition, five common brands of DC isolators have been recalled.” Enphase Energy used the report to point out that its microinverters do not use high voltage DC.
In NSW alone, there is a 20 per cent increase in fires related to solar panels since last year.
 MHI Thermal Systems is expanding its testing facilities in Japan and Thailand.
 Testing facility to expand development
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES THERMAL SYSTEMS HAS COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW COMMERCIAL AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING FACILITY AT ITS BIWAJIMA WORKS IN KIYOSU CITY, JAPAN.
   THE ESTABLISHMENT OF this new facility, to- gether with its existing development and testing centre, is part of MHI’s plan to accelerate the de- velopment and commercialisation of commer- cial-use air conditioning and refrigeration sys- tems in global markets.
MHI Thermal Systems is also expanding its de- velopment and testing facilities in Thailand, en- hancing its development capabilities worldwide.
The new development and testing facility is a two-storey building with 2,155m2 of total floor area. It is equipped with various types of testing rooms for commercial-use, high-ca- pacity systems able to handle different weath- er conditions, environmental regulations, and
other variables in countries around the world. MHI said these facilities will allow it to accel- erate the development of large-scale, commer- cial-use air conditioning and refrigeration sys- tems, including high-efficient VRF-type multi-system air conditioners, industrial-use packaged air conditioners, commercial-use refrigeration systems, and commercial-use heat
pump water heaters.
In addition to strengthening development
capabilities at its Biwajima Works, MHI Thermal Systems is expanding and upgrading its develop- ment and testing facilities throughout the world such as at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-Mahajak Air Conditioners in Thailand.
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