New initiative to address installation of unapproved solar panels

The Clean Energy Regulator has partnered with industry to develop and implement the Solar Panel Validation Initiative to address the installation of unapproved solar panels under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).

The initiative aims to strengthen the integrity of the solar industry and the scheme, and protect consumers by making the identification of unapproved panels easier.

With a successful solar panel validation pilot run over the past year, solar panel validation is now available for remaining solar industry businesses to start using the apps and start validating solar panels for participating manufacturers.

The initiative is made up of two parts — an app for installers to use on a mobile device and a database of verified serial numbers for solar panels, received directly from manufacturers. Installers use the app to scan solar panel serial numbers, which are then checked against a database to ensure they are approved.

The initiative allows for all participants in the SRES supply chain including installers, retailers, manufacturers and agents to self-regulate and help protect themselves from unscrupulous parties seeking to undermine industry integrity.

For more information, visit Solar Panel Validation Initiative.