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How does the Clean Energy Council support consumers?

The Clean Energy Council is the peak body for the clean energy industry in Australia.

We are a not-for-profit organisation committed to accelerating the transformation of Australia’s energy system to one that is smarter and cleaner.

We have a strong focus on raising standards and maintaining integrity within the industry so consumers can buy with confidence and proudly contribute to Australia’s clean energy revolution.

We do this through the development of guidelines and contribution to Australian Standards as well as three key regulatory programs aimed at lifting the bar across the industry:

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The NETCC program

The New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) program is a way for businesses that sell solar, battery storage, EV chargers and new energy tech to show their commitment to responsible sales and marketing activities and industry best practice. Authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the program aims to lift the bar higher than the minimum requirements set by government and regulations and bring about a better standard of service within the solar industry.

The NETCC program is designed and governed by the NETCC Council, a group of representatives from peak consumer and industry bodies. The Clean Energy Council is appointed to administer the program.

The NETCC is voluntary: retailers can apply to the program and must undertake an audit of their business practices and documents. If successful, the retailer becomes a New Energy Tech Approved Seller and must comply with the requirements of the Code and program.

The Clean Energy Council actively monitors compliance of retailers to the NETCC and investigates all reported breaches of the Code. Serious non-compliance which is detrimental to consumers may give cause to remove a retailer from the program with immediate effect.

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The Product Assurance program

The Product Assurance program verifies and tests solar and storage products that are eligible to be installed in Australia, based on their compliance with Australian and International Standards.

The objective of this testing is to confirm the safety and compliance of the devices with the relevant product standards, the certification for that device and the Clean Energy Council’s Terms and Conditions for listing products.

If the Clean Energy Council's testing identifies non-conformance with the device’s certification, we may suspend or remove the listing until compliance can be verified. We may also suspend or remove all device model numbers listed for that manufacturer.

The CEC works in collaboration with government, electrical safety regulators, certifiers, network providers and product manufacturers to ensure that only approved products are installed in the Australian market. Only systems with products from the approved lists are eligible to receive small-scale technology certificates (STCs) under the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).

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The Installer/Designer Accreditation program

The Installer Accreditation program recognises electricians who have undertaken the necessary training to design and install solar, batteries and other renewable energy systems. CEC Accredited electricians aim to work to industry best practice standards, producing systems that are safe, reliable and meet customer expectations.

Clean Energy Council accredited installers must adhere to the relevant Australian Standards when designing and installing systems. The Clean Energy Council also produce practical installation guidelines to support installers.

As part of CEC accreditation, continuous professional development must be completed each year to ensure technical knowledge stays up to date.

Compliance plays a critical role in maintaining the value of CEC Accreditation. When the CEC is made aware of a solar design or installation that does not meet relevant Australian Standards, CEC Guidelines or other regulations, we can take appropriate action to ensure standards are upheld. This can vary from requests to rectify non-compliant work, the allocation of demerit points, suspension or even cancellation.

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Complaints

To lodge a complaint against a New Energy Tech Approved Seller, Approved Solar Retailer or a CEC accredited installer, please read the guidelines at the link below. Please note that evidence may be required to support an installation complaint.

Complaints