Australian Solar Compliance: Clean Energy Council's Role in Standards and Accreditation

Key Takeaways

• The Clean Energy Council (CEC) plays a significant role in developing Australian solar standards and advocating for the clean energy sector.
• Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) became the new accreditation body for installers and designers from 29 February 2024, impacting Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) eligibility.
• Installers must obtain an SAA accreditation number for installations completed from 30 May 2024 to claim STCs.
• The CEC maintains lists of approved solar PV modules, inverters, and batteries to ensure product safety and compliance in Australia.

Understanding Solar Compliance in Australia

Compliance in the Australian solar industry is critical for ensuring safety, grid stability, and consumer protection. While the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) oversees the National Electricity Market (NEM) and sets Generator Performance Standards (GPS) for large-scale generators, the Clean Energy Council (CEC) contributes significantly to the broader regulatory landscape. This includes input into Australian Standards, installer accreditation, and product verification.

The technical scope for utility solar farms, including Generator Performance Standards (GPS), NEM compliance, and AEMO grid integration, is an area where the Clean Energy Council provides advice to AEMO and other stakeholders on the development of these standards.

The Shift in Installer Accreditation

A notable change in Australian solar accreditation occurred on 29 February 2024. On this date, the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) approved Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) as the new installer and designer accreditation scheme operator (ASO) under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).

This transition impacts how installers and designers maintain their eligibility for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). To remain eligible for STCs, installers and designers must now apply for accreditation with Solar Accreditation Australia.

Key Accreditation Dates

• 29 February 2024: Clean Energy Regulator (CER) approved Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) as the new accreditation scheme operator.
• Before 29 May 2024: Clean Energy Council accreditation numbers can be used to claim STCs for installations completed during this period.
• From 30 May 2024: An SAA accreditation number is required to claim STCs for all installations completed from this date. SAA issues this new accreditation number.

Installers holding grid-connect installation accreditation must also maintain a valid current electrical licence number. Solar Accreditation Australia recognises Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points completed through the Clean Energy Council. Specifically, Clean Energy Council core CPD courses are eligible for 20 points per course, and Clean Energy Council elective CPD courses are eligible for 10 points per course.

Product Verification and Consumer Protection

Beyond installer accreditation, the Clean Energy Council plays a vital role in ensuring the quality and safety of solar products available in Australia.

Approved Product Lists

The Clean Energy Council maintains verified and tested lists of eligible solar PV modules, inverters, and battery storage products for Australian installations. These lists are crucial for ensuring that products meet Australian safety benchmarks and compliance with grid connection standards.

• Approved Batteries List: This list provides verified products that meet Australian safety benchmarks.
• Approved Inverters List: This list validates compliance with grid connection and safety standards.
• Approved PV Modules List: This list certifies modules eligible for STC generation under the SRES.

Consumer Protection

The Clean Energy Council also administers the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) program. This program is designed to protect consumers and ensure approved sellers adhere to ethical business practices in the clean energy sector.

Clean Energy Council's Broader Contributions

The Clean Energy Council's influence extends to the development of Australian Standards and broader advocacy for the clean energy sector. The organisation provides input into the development of Australian Standards, upholding the integrity of consumer energy resources. Furthermore, the Clean Energy Council represents clean energy and storage industries across national decarbonisation initiatives, advocating for the sector's growth and integration into Australia's energy future.

What you can check yourself, and what you cannot

As a homeowner or business owner, you can verify if your installer holds current accreditation with Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) for installations completed from 30 May 2024, or with the Clean Energy Council for earlier installations. You can also check if the solar PV modules, inverters, and batteries installed on your property are listed on the Clean Energy Council's Approved Products lists. These checks ensure your system meets eligibility requirements for STCs and adheres to recognised safety and performance standards.

However, you cannot independently verify compliance with Generator Performance Standards (GPS) for utility-scale solar farms, nor can you directly assess AEMO's grid integration requirements. These are complex technical assessments performed by accredited engineers and consultants, often in consultation with AEMO and network service providers. Changing inverter settings related to grid protection or export limits yourself is not recommended and can breach your connection agreement. Such adjustments must be made by an accredited installer.

What the published sources do not tell you

The specific, verbatim text of paywalled Standards Australia publications, such as AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 4509, AS/NZS 4777, AS/NZS 5033, and AS/NZS 5139, is not publicly available. These standards are copyright Standards Australia and are typically accessed via licensed practitioner portals. While the Clean Energy Council provides input into their development and ensures compliance through its programs, the detailed technical specifications within these standards are not provided in publicly accessible online resources. Similarly, while the Clean Energy Council advises on Generator Performance Standards, the detailed technical requirements and specific compliance pathways for utility-scale solar farms under AEMO's NEM rules are not fully elaborated in the provided public information. These often involve detailed engineering studies and direct engagement with AEMO and network operators.