This consultation is now closed. The outcome will be published on this page in September 2024.
We consulted on our proposal to nominate the Clean Energy Council as the solar panel and inverter product listing body.
Background
We proposed to nominate the Clean Energy Council (CEC) as the solar panel and inverter product listing body under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
The nomination followed industry consultation in 2022 on whether we should nominate a person or organisation to publish solar product lists under the SRES. It was also a part of broader changes to the SRES as part of the rooftop solar sector reforms.
There was a 28-day consultation period for people affected by the proposed nomination to make a submission. The CER will consider submissions before making the final nomination.
Product listing under the SRES only covers panels and inverters, it doesn’t cover batteries.
Proposed nomination
Applications were considered against mandatory evaluation criteria set out in the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001.
The evaluation process for the solar panel and inverter product listing body was robust, transparent and fair. It adhered to the criteria set out in regulation 20AE(4) of the regulations.
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 participated
This consultation was 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: September 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.
The time between the payment of an application and when the model is listed is determined 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.
There was a 28-day period to provide your submission on our proposed nomination of the CEC as the solar panel and inverter product listing body.
We are considering submissions made during the consultation period and, depending on the outcome, will continue to a final nomination. We’ll inform industry on whether the submission process changes the proposed nomination and what our next steps will be.
If a final nomination is made, we’ll set a transition period for the new product listing body’s scheme.
Until a final nomination is made, the Clean Energy Council will continue to publish the approve solar panel and inverter product lists.