The Clean Energy Regulator has launched a new validation scheme to ensure that only genuine solar panels are installed in Australia.
The Regulator’s Solar Panel Validation Initiative has been co-designed with the solar industry to use smartphone apps on site to check if the panels meet Australian standards.
Executive General Manager with the Clean Energy Regulator, Mark Williamson said the apps would scan serial numbers to instantaneously confirm whether the panels were genuine, providing consumers with evidence that they were receiving a genuine brand that came with the stated warranty.
Mr Williamson said solar panel validation was a good example of Government and industry partnering to solve a shared problem.
“We found some solar panels were not meeting the requirements for Commonwealth incentives under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, so we found an innovative solution that aligned with consumer, industry and Government interests,” Mr Williamson said.
“The benefit of this approach is that the industry can self-regulate and it’s in their best interest to do so to protect themselves from those seeking to undermine industry integrity.”
He said the initiative had the support of industry and consumer bodies including the Clean Energy Council, the Smart Energy Council and Choice.
Chief Executive of the Smart Energy Council, John Grimes said the initiative was “where we can lift the bar and improve the integrity of the solar industry, ultimately delivering better outcomes for consumers”.
