The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER) is calling for feedback to help improve integrity in the rooftop solar sector.
Opening consultation, the Department said it was seeking feedback until 12 November on proposed amendments to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 and had released a consultation commentary document to help people have their say.
“The proposed amendments aim to protect consumers and improve integrity in the rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) sector,” DISER said.
It said the amendments would implement recommendations from the Clean Energy Regulator’s (CER) September Integrity Review of the Rooftop PV Sector.
The Department said the proposed reforms and technical adjustments aimed to support the CER to administer the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
It said this included enabling the CER to approve installer accreditation schemes; tighten eligibility requirements for approved solar components; require written statements from solar retailers; and improve compliance monitoring and enforcement.
DISER said the proposed amendments would also streamline reporting requirements for installers, solar retailers and manufacturers.
“The Review recommended that the Regulator be given the power to disqualify retailers, including key management and officers, who make a false written statement from making further statements regarding eligibility for small-scale technology certificates (STCs),” DISER said.
“In addition, the Review recommended that the Regulator be able to disqualify new retailers that are linked to other disqualified retailers,” it said.
“This will be supported by corresponding compliance powers for the Regulator to ensure that retailers found to be doing the wrong thing can be held to account, and removed from participating in the Scheme if required.”
DISER said it was also seeking feedback on other proposed technical amendments to improve the administration of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) Scheme.
The Department’s 15-page consultation commentary can be accessed at this PS News link and information on how to have a say at this link.
