The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has been nominated as the product listing body (PLB) for small-scale renewables, such as solar panels and inverters, under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). 

The appointment by the Clean Energy Regulator follows the 2020 review of the Australian rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) sector that included an evaluation of the role, functions and governance of the product listing body. The new service is expected to deliver a better and more timely service to the industry. 

The Clean Energy Regulator said the product listing body plays a critical role in ensuring Australians maintain confidence in the quality standards of renewable energy products for households and small businesses.  

Solar panels and inverters must be approved by the product listing body to be eligible for small-scale technology certificates (STCs) under the SRES.  

The Clean Energy Regulator said its decision is a result of multiple consultations with industry and careful review of applications to make sure the new PLB service meets the needs of the industry.  

Concerns about the service delivery model raised by industry through the 2020 review included lengthy delays in product approvals, lack of transparency in the approval process, lack of technology advancement and high fees. These issues all resulted in costs and missed opportunities for the solar industry.  

As a result, the Federal Government took a decision to review the product listing arrangements, including greater oversight and increased accountability for the delivery of the service.  

The Clean Energy Regulator said drawing from industry feedback, it designed a new service with non-negotiable requirements that would strengthen transparency and timeliness and provide more industry support. It then opened an application round for a new and improved SRES product listing service. 

The Clean Energy Regulator received two submissions, including one from the CEC, both of which were assessed against mandatory criteria to ensure delivery of the improvements industry needed. 

The Clean Energy Regulator advised of its intent to nominate CEC on 15 July 2024 and opened a 28-day consultation period for affected persons.  The Clean Energy Regulator said it received 175 submissions from many different industry roles. 

Details of the submissions and the Clean Energy Regulator’s consideration of each are in this report. 

The Clean Energy Regulator said it was satisfied the CEC would meet the requirements of the new service and deliver what it committed to in its application. 

CEC Chief Executive, Kane Thornton, said the organisation is proud to continue its stewardship of the products listing role for small-scale renewables and will now be focused on enhancing the program. 

“Small-scale renewables are a critical and growing segment of Australia’s clean energy future, driven by millions of households and businesses. 

“Our focus and indeed our application to the Clean Energy Regulator included a detailed plan for program improvement and we have already taken steps to drive enhancements including improving the user experience through our online product listings and we have doubled the capacity of our products team and are actively working to bring on more staff to meet what are unprecedented levels of demand.” 

Mr Thornton said changes in the immediate pipeline include streamlining processes and providing applicants with transparent tracking of their applications, a stronger focus on customer service and response times and clearer communication on program updates, as well as uplifting program governance through the establishment of a manufacturer working group and performance reporting to industry and the Clean Energy Regulator. 

“Together with our products team, we will continue to work at pace to provide certainty and efficiency for product manufacturers, and ensure Australians have access to safe and reliable PV modules, inverters and batteries. 

“We look forward to continuing a productive relationship with the Clean Energy Regulator and, importantly, an emphasis on actively engaging with industry in relation to product listings.” 

Mr Thornton said that the success of the distributed energy sector in Australia remains a top priority for the CEC. 

“While we chose not to apply to be the Installer Accreditation body, with that function transferring to Solar Accreditation Australia earlier this year, our program and policy focus on this part of the sector remains strong,” Mr Thornton said. 

“In addition to being the product listing body, we are the administrator of the New Energy Tech Consumer Code and our policy and advocacy work, which just this year has seen us produce a consumer energy resources roadmap, is focused on securing the policy settings that increase the uptake of rooftop solar and home batteries by consumers and drive activity for installers.”