As of December 1st, the effects of the new Inmetro (National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology) ordinance that updates the technical and regulatory requirements for photovoltaic inverters will come into effect throughout the country.
The measure promises to bring significant changes for manufacturers, integrators and consumers in the solar energy market, as it makes the use of AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) mandatory in investors with more than 120 V and short-circuit current of up to 20 A.
Therefore, from that date onwards, all inverters manufactured or imported will only be approved by Inmetro and sold on the Brazilian market if they have this electric arc protection device.
Can inverters in stock at distributors and integration companies still be sold?
This is one of the main doubts that many professionals in the national photovoltaic market have regarding the topic and the answer to this question is: yes, they can!
This is because, according to the new Inmetro ordinance, the measure is only valid for new inverters that are manufactured and imported into Brazil from December 1st onwards.
In other words, equipment that has already been purchased by distributors and integrators can be sold without any problems until stocks run out, as explained by Inmetro itself on its website.
Inmetro sanctions and inspections
In response to Canal Solar, Inmetro emphasized that, after this adaptation period (December 1st), companies that manufacture or import irregular products into the Brazilian market will be subject to penalties in accordance with Law 9.933 of 1999: warning, fine, interdiction, seizure, suspension and cancellation of registration.
“Inmetro inspects all regulated products daily, through its delegated bodies present in the 26 states of the federation. When a new change in the regulation comes into effect, inspectors prioritize verifying compliance with this regulation,” the Agency pointed out.
In fact, this week, Inmetro carried out an inspection in four states and submitted samples of photovoltaic panels from different brands to laboratory tests, where irregularities were identified in at least one product.
Find out more information on how to declare conformity, register and label new equipment by clicking here.
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