Clean Energy Council Transfers Rooftop Solar Accreditation to New Operator
Australia’s rooftop solar industry has introduced a fresh installer and designer accreditation scheme, with Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) taking over from the Clean Energy Council. The Clean Energy Regulator announced that SAA is now responsible for accrediting electricians who install solar systems under the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
As part of the SRES, which provides rebates for rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems through small-scale technology certificates, installations must be carried out by licensed electricians who have undergone specific training to demonstrate their ability to install rooftop solar panels.
“SAA will now oversee the accreditation of electricians installing small-scale solar systems incentivised by the SRES,” stated the regulator on Friday. This accreditation process enhances the quality assurance beyond the existing state and territory requirements for electricians.
The transition from the Clean Energy Council to SAA marks the completion of a power shift initiated after the 2021 Integrity Review of the Rooftop Solar PV Sector. The review recommended replacing the co-regulation system led by the CEC and appointing the CER as the sole regulator.
While acknowledging the CEC’s historical regulatory efforts, the review highlighted the challenges faced by the CEC in enforcing regulations against accredited parties without the investigative powers of a Commonwealth regulator.
With the new scheme now
