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). This joint initiative is aimed at strengthening the integrity of industry and the scheme, and protecting 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.
What is Solar Panel Validation?
Solar panel validation is a solution to industry and government’s shared problem of unapproved solar panels in the Australian market. It 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.
Validating solar panels before they are installed is important, as it:
- lets consumers know they are getting genuine brand that meet Australian standards and comes with the stated warranty
- lets installers know they are installing the right panels
- lowers the risk of fraud to agents
- protects retailers from financial penalty and reputational damage, and
- helps the Australian Government and the solar industry to uphold the integrity of the scheme and industry.
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