A number of solar panels will soon disappear from the Clean Energy Council’s list of approved solar panels – here’s what’s happening and what it means.
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) maintains a list of solar panels that meet Australian standards. To be eligible for the Australian solar panel rebate and some government incentives, a system must use panels (and inverters) that are on the list at the time the system is installed. Additionally, some Distributed Network Service Providers (DNSPs) may not allow unlisted solar panels to be connected to the grid.
As solar technology advances, standards to ensure quality and safety are maintained and improved. Already in 2021, a standard for solar modules was updated by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC); an international standards organization that produces standards for electrical, electronic and related technologies.
Subsequently, Australian Standard AS5033:2021 (Installation and Safety Requirements for Photovoltaic (PV) Arrays)1 was published in November 2021, containing requirements for modules that comply with IEC 61215-1:2021 (and IEC 61730-1:2016). fulfill.
The CEC then updated the requirements for approved PV modules in 2023. The Australian solar industry was more than a year in advance of the change – and crisis is about to happen.
Which offers for solar modules are expiring?
Offers with expiration dates of:
- September 30, 2024 or earlier
- March 31, 2025 (these have been extended)
… are not currently certified to the 2021 standards and are not considered approved or eligible for Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on these dates. STCs are the virtual pieces of paper on which the solar rebate is based. Offers with expiration dates after March 31, 2025 will be approved after the deadlines. These also have the addition IEC 61215-2021 after the model number; For example:
According to the CEC, you can also check which version of IEC 61215 the PV modules are certified on the product nameplate.
“We encourage all installers and retailers to use up existing inventory that is expiring and purchase inventory that meets 2021 standards,” the CEC states.
As of yesterday, the CEC’s list of approved modules contained 5,212 products from 112 manufacturers. Given the way the list is presented, it is difficult for me to say how many of these will no longer be approved after the dates mentioned,2 but a quick look shows that it is likely to become significantly slimmer.
It is likely that many affected modules will no longer be available in Australia. However, some of these may remain on the list if manufacturers get their panels certified to the 2021 version of IEC 61215 and submit the documentation to the CEC before October 1, 2024.
What impact does this have on solar panel owners?
There is no reason for owners of “expiring” solar modules to worry. The panels will not suddenly stop working and the warranty conditions will not change as a result. It will be business as usual on these roofs.
If you have a solar power system installed after the deadline, if you are particularly vigilant, you can check the nameplates of the panels as described above before they are installed on your roof. However, this should not be necessary as this is the responsibility of the installer/dealer and it is in their interest to ensure this. Still, there’s no harm in checking, even if it’s just to confirm that the solar panels installed are the ones you signed up for.
Are you thinking about switching to solar energy? Find out what you need to know about buying solar panels and see the brands that SolarQuotes and some of Australia’s best installers currently recommend.
Footnotes
- It’s frustrating that you have to pay $280 for this privilege to get a copy of the standard – but that’s another story. ↩
- The CEC website was updated last night – and it appears the listing table has a few errors. ↩
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