This consultation is now closed. We have published the outcomes on this page.
We consulted on our proposal to nominate the Clean Energy Council (CEC) as the solar panel and inverter product listing body.
Background
In 2020, we conducted a review of the Australian rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) sector that included an evaluation of the role, functions and governance of the product listing body (PLB).
We consulted with industry and received feedback about the service delivery model, including lengthy delays in product approvals, lack of transparency in the approval process, lack of technology advancement and high fees. These issues all resulted in costs and missed opportunities for the solar industry.
As a result, the Australian Government took a decision to review the product listing arrangements, including greater oversight and increased accountability for the delivery of the service.
Drawing from industry feedback, we designed new service level standards with non-negotiable requirements including:
- the approval process, eligibility requirements and decisions to list a product as eligible
- status updates on receiving, assessing and processing applications
- risk-based sampling and audits of solar products, including new technologies
- ongoing monitoring and updating the solar product list to show accurate status of approvals, suspensions, delisting and recalls of solar products
- the fee structure for all functions under the service.
Following the design of the service, we opened an application round for a new and improved SRES product listing service.
We received 2 submissions, including one from CEC. These were assessed against mandatory evaluation criteria to ensure delivery of the improvements industry needed. This criteria was set out in the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001, particularly regulation 20AE(4).
Proposed nomination
We advised of our intent to nominate CEC on 15 July 2024 and opened a 28-day consultation period for affected persons. During the consultation period we received 175 submissions from many different industry roles. Key concerns were like those heard in 2020.
We reviewed CEC’s proposed new PLB service and were satisfied it answered the majority of feedback to meet the needs of the industry.
As the proposed nominee, the CEC will publish and maintain approved solar product lists according to the product listing framework. The CEC is required to manage its product listing scheme in line with its application and legislative requirements under the SRES.
The CEC will be accountable to us under our nomination. This differs to the previous co-regulatory arrangement where the CEC was legislated under the regulations.
Who can participate
This consultation is open to affected individuals or groups, including:
- manufacturers and importers
- individuals who have applied to become the product listing body
- accredited installers and designers
- retailers
- registered agents
- industry bodies
- consumers.
Timeline
Consultation opened: 15 July 2024
Consultation closed: 5 pm AEST 11 August 2024
Final nomination: October 2024
Details of the Clean Energy Council’s proposed product listing body services
Each application to list products will cost $5,500 (excluding GST). This includes the registration of up to 20 PV modules or up to 10 inverters per application.
After an application has passed a detailed review and assessment protocol, the approved model number is uploaded to the CEC product list and website within 24 to 72 hours.
Further information will be published in the coming weeks outlining more detail about CEC’s application processes and timeframes.
The time between the payment of an application and when the model is listed may be impacted by the efficiency of the applicant’s response to administrative requests from the CEC.
The CEC will verify and test solar products that are eligible to be installed in Australia based on compliance with Australian and international standards.
The testing program will involve the CEC buying solar PV modules and inverters from the Australian market and submitting them to an accredited Australian laboratory for testing.
The CEC will review the results and conduct a desktop audit to check compliance with their listing terms and conditions.
They will provide a summary of test and audit results to manufacturers to identify any non-compliance. Corrective action will be taken depending on the nature of the non-compliance.
Corrective action includes:
- suspension or removal of products and models from the listing
- state and territory authorities notified
- restrictions on further applications.
The CEC will use both an application programming interface and a weekly manual reconciliation.
The CEC has stated they’re dedicated to ensuring the integrity of the data that is published and will provide more resources towards records management procedures and database controls.
They will establish and maintain information and data sharing arrangements to third parties that would rely on the product list to apply for small-scale technology certificates.
Consultation stages
Find out more about each stage of the consultation process.
Following the Clean Energy Council’s (CEC) proposed nomination, we opened a 28-day consultation period for affected persons.
Submissions were invited from industry groups, including manufacturers, consumers advocates and solar photovoltaic module importers.
We received a total of 175 submissions, with key themes describing:
- slow application processing with no visibility on progress
- expensive product listing fees and unfairly calculated fees for smaller applications
- poor communication and responsiveness making it difficult to list products
- historically poor handling of product recalls.
We considered all submissions made during this consultation period and assessed if the new service proposed by the CEC would address industry concerns. Further information can be found in the submission report.
We understand that cost to industry was an important consideration and through our evaluation, the CEC’s overall fee structure showed better value for money for most industry participants. This includes no annual listing fees.
It was agreed the new process would address most of the concerns raised in the submissions, and we confirmed our decision to nominate the CEC as the SRES product listing body.
The final nomination process involved considering submissions made during the consultation period and, depending on the outcome, continuing to a final nomination. It aimed to inform industry on whether the submission process changes the proposed nomination and what our next steps will be.
Outcome
On 31 October 2024, we confirmed the Clean Energy Council (CEC) as the product listing body (PLB) for solar panels and inverters eligible under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
Our role has been strengthened to oversee the ongoing delivery of the scheme through regular reporting, measurement against key performance indicators and process reviews. This will support the CEC’s performance and delivery of the improvements to which it has committed.
As the nominated PLB, the CEC must deliver the new service they committed to in their application. This includes:
- faster application processing times
- a technology uplift to improve data quality and visibility of application processing
- support for applicants when additional technical assessment is required and to track application progress
- better technical support for industry by employing more engineers.
The CEC will transition their existing arrangement to the new and improved scheme. They have started work on their enhancements including staffing and improved user experience through the online product listings, with more to come.
We will continue to support the CEC, state and territory regulators and industry with the new arrangement.