Compliance is critical to the value of CEC accreditation. Our compliance procedure ensures guidelines and other regulations are followed and the standard of work upheld.
The procedure outlines what will happen when the Clean Energy Council has evidence that an accredited installer has not followed the relevant Australian Standards, Clean Energy Council Guidelines or Accreditation terms and conditions.
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 contact the responsible person to inform them about the issue and what they need to do.
This information often comes from Clean Energy Regulator inspections, state regulators and consumer complaints.
We allocate demerit points to accredited installers and designers when we are made aware of non-compliant work.
Once an accredited installer or designer has received 20 demerit points, their accreditation will be placed on probation. Accreditation will be removed from probation once the installer or designer has completed the required actions outlined by the Clean Energy Council to prove their competency (which may be through assessments or rectifications).
Demerit points will be allocated if:
The number of demerit points allocated depends on the level of risk associated with each non-compliance issue.
| CEC category | CER inspection category | Demerit points | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serious non-compliance | Unsafe | 10 | A safety hazard which poses an imminent risk of damage to property or persons. The system had to be shut down. | DC isolator enclosure or cable junction boxes are not suitably installed to prevent water from getting in. |
| Major non-compliance | Needs rectification | 6 | The system has failed to meet key clauses in the standards/guidelines. While not imminent safety risk may lead to premature equipment failure or other issues. | DC isolator is incorrectly rated and not within 20 per cent of required voltage rating. DC isolator is incorrectly wired, mechanical damage to LV cables. |
| Medium non-compliance | Medium non-compliance | 2 | A system does not comply with standards and guideline and poses a medium risk. | DC isolator is incorrectly rated but within 20 per cent of required voltage rating. Use of unapproved products. Important signage missing. Not all wiring installed according to AS 3000. |
| Minor non-compliance | Minor non-compliance | 1 | A system does not comply with standards and guidelines and poses a low risk. | Incomplete documentation provided. Minor wiring. Earthing interconnections are not the same make and model. |
An installer's accreditation will be suspended if they have:
If an installer proves their competency while suspended their accreditation can be reinstated. They may then be required to provide details of their next three installations for possible inspection by the Clean Energy Council to ensure compliance.
If an installer does not prove competency, their accreditation will be cancelled.
If a very serious breach occurs the Clean Energy Council may cancel an installer's accreditation immediately.
An installer's accreditation may be cancelled if:
The installer may be able to reapply for their accreditation after 12 months from the cancellation date.
