Manufacturers listing PV modules on the CEC Approved Product List should be aware of some important recent and upcoming changes to PV modules listings.
These changes include:
Amended terms and conditions for listing PV modules came into effect on 10 August 2017, after the required three month notification period. These T&Cs include various changes to strengthen the 2016 version.
As a part of the terms and conditions, module manufacturers need to declare the details of every Australian importer to the CEC, and these importers have to agree to the terms and conditions. Under these changes, all importers are required to have a website and maintain accurate and up to date customer information on the modules they import.
Importers include any company who receives their solar modules direct from overseas, regardless of whether the manufacturer maintains a local office.
From 1 September 2017, all PV module applications will require compliance to new 2016 IEC standards, including renewal of previous listings. Therefore, any listing application that is submitted from 1 September will require compliance to the new 2016 versions of IEC 61215 and IEC 61730.
In line with the published transition to the 2016 version of the IEC standards, all modules not covered by the terms and conditions have now had their expiry date on the CEC listing re-set to 1 February 2018, unless expiring earlier.
All modules listed under the terms and conditions have had their expiry date set to 1 December 2018 unless expiring beforehand.
