Solar panel and inverter serial number ledgers

Under the Renewable Energy Target, manufacturers and importers must provide data to the solar panel serial number ledger and inverter serial number ledger if:

• you manufacture or import solar panels or inverters
• your products are eligible for small-scale technology certificates (STC)
• your products are on the Clean Energy Council's (CEC) approved PV module or inverter lists.

If you have products included on the CEC-approved lists, you're known as a responsible supplier. Responsible suppliers are Australian-based manufacturers or nominated importers for overseas manufacturers.

Solar panel serial number ledger

The ledger stores all eligible solar panel serial numbers supplied to the Australian market. We use the data to assess the eligibility of STC claims by cross-referencing the serial numbers.

The ledger complements the Solar Panel Validation (SPV) initiative. SPV gives installers onsite confirmation of a solar panel's eligibility. The ledger provides secondary verification when creating STCs for solar panels that don't use SPV.

It also enables us to ensure solar panel serial numbers are provided by authorised suppliers and helps identify products from non-authorised suppliers.

Solar panel serial number

You should provide serial number data as soon as the product enters Australia. This ensures the data is available for assessing eligibility in STC claims.

If you're a part of the SPV initiative, your verification service will provide the data for you. If not, you need to provide the data through the REC Registry.

You must upload your data as a .csv file. Include the following headings:

• supplier name
• licensee/certificate holder
• model number
• serial number.

All information listed must be the same as the CEC registered details.

Uploading data

To upload your serial number data, you need to have a current REC Registry account. Ensure your account is a 'supplier' account before uploading.

If you're a verification service provider, you need a 'verification service provider' account.

To upload:

• log in to your REC Registry account
• select 'small units'
• select 'panel serial numbers'
• select 'upload panel serial numbers'
• make your declaration and upload your .csv file.

If you're uploading via API, your declaration in the REC Registry must be current. Ensure you select 'declaration for API users'. You must make a declaration every 3 months to upload via API.

Register for a API key and upload data:

• log in to your Online Services account
• select the Client Portal
• under 'systems', select 'Developer Portal'
• under the 'products' tab, select 'serial number ledger'
• select 'subscribe' on the relevant subscription
• select 'show' to get your primary API key
• under the 'APIs' tab, select 'serial number ledger'
• use the request URL within your chosen API application
• update the ‘headers’ under ‘request headers’
• use the ‘example’ JSON text
• should say ‘successful’ or ’unsuccessful’.

Marking serial numbers as ineligible/invalid

If you uploaded incorrect data, including ineligible panels, you need to mark the serial numbers as ineligible. The REC Registry term is 'invalid'.

Marking as ineligible/invalid:

• log in to the REC Registry and navigate to 'panel serial numbers'
• search and select the relevant serial number data
• select 'mark as invalid' at the bottom of the screen
• select a reason and 'mark as invalid'.

Remember to upload the correct serial number data.

Inverter serial number ledger

The ledger stores all eligible inverter serial numbers supplied to the Australian market. We use the ledger's data to assess the eligibility of STC claims by cross-referencing the serial numbers.

Providing data

All responsible suppliers must provide inverter serial number data to the ledger.

Australian importers not registered as responsible suppliers cannot supply data to the ledger. Ensure the CEC knows of your status as a responsible supplier of CEC-approved inverters.

To provide data, you must complete these Online Services forms:

1. register to provide inverter serial numbers
2. manage your inverter serial numbers.

Before starting, ensure your company details with the CEC are current, including:

• company name
• Australian Business Number (ABN)
• brands and models of your authorised inverters
• details of your authorised company contact person.

If you need to update your details, contact the CEC.

You can add users to your organisation access to add or manage inverter data. Ensure they have Client Portal accounts before submitting your form.

Manage your inverter serial numbers

After registering to provide, you can manage your inverter serial numbers. This includes:

• adding serial numbers
• updating serial number status
• viewing upload history
• viewing serial numbers.

When adding and updating, provide the data in a .csv file. You must use the headings:

• Manufacturer
• Model
• Series
• Serial number
• Status (for updates only)
• Reason (for updates only).

Data storage

Only internal staff have access to our stored data. We use controls and frameworks under the Protective Security Policy Framework to protect our data.

Compliance

Failing to provide the data can lead to:

• delayed processing
• inability to assess STC claims
• declaring the module or inverter ineligible.

If declared ineligible, the solar panel or inverter is not eligible for STCs, which may impact your Australian sales.