Solar Retail code of conduct update

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has granted authorisation for five years to the Clean Energy Council for a voluntary code of conduct for solar PV retail businesses.

The code imposes standards upon retail businesses for the marketing and sale of solar PV systems, which are in addition to their existing obligations under consumer protection legislation.

The Clean Energy Council is already able to penalise any accredited installer that fails to install a PV system to the relevant Australian Standard. However, the retailers that sub-contract installers are not covered by a standard other than existing consumer protection legislation. (Si Clean Energy do not sub-contract any installers, we have a full time team of experienced installers that complete every residential and commercial project)

The Code will allow for the regulation of retailers of solar PV systems to ensure that retailers maintain a standard that will benefit consumers and the industry.

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Commissioner Dr Jill Walker said “The retail purchase of PV solar systems is generally a one-off, relatively complicated purchase for consumers and may involve dealing with several parties.”

“The Code will promote confidence in the PV sector by giving information to consumers to assist in purchasing decisions. The Code will also promote compliance by PV retailers through sanctions and public reporting mechanisms,” Dr Walker said.

The ACCC released a draft determination in July 2013 proposing to grant authorisation to the CEC for its Code for a period of five years. All submissions received following the draft determination were supportive of the authorisation.

The ACCC has authorised the CEC Code until 17 October 2018.