Temporary changes to Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) inspections
Due to the ongoing risks associated with COVID-19 including current government policy on social distancing, we have temporarily suspended the requirement for
appointed solar panel installation inspectors to inspect components installed in roof cavities.
While this suspension will remove the requirement for inspectors to enter the home during the inspection, our expectation is that inspectors ensure inspections are fully conducted in all other aspects.
If you have any concerns about the solar panels that have been installed at your property or business, below are relevant contact details that may assist you.
| Enquiry | Responsible party | Contact details |
|---|
| If you have concerns with your installation | Contact the solar retailer you purchased the panels from. | You should find this information on the invoice or contract you received at the time of installation. |
| Find an accredited installer to check the safety of the panels | Clean Energy Council |
Clean Energy Council website - Find an installer |
| Your consumer rights | Australian Competition and Consumer Commission |
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission website - Consumer guarantees |
| Lodge a complaint about the retailer | Relevant Fair Trading office (sometimes called 'Consumer Affairs') in your state or territory | - ACT: Office of Regulatory Services, 02 6207 3000
- NSW: Fair Trading, 13 32 20
- NT: Consumer Affairs, 1800 019 319
- Qld: Office of Fair Trading, 13 74 68
- SA: Consumer and Business Services, 131 882
- Tas: Consumer Affairs and Fair Trading, 1300 654 499
- Vic: Consumer Affairs, 1300 558 181
- WA: Consumer Protection: 1300 304 054
|
| If you have a question about breaches of the Accreditation Code of Conduct as well as Australian Standards for solar installations | Clean Energy Council |
Clean Energy Council website - Dispute form |
Safety
We remind householders that solar panels are electrical products and should only be inspected by a licenced electrician, preferably accredited by the Clean Energy Council.
Fraud under the SRES
It is illegal in Australia to mislead consumers on the origin, performance, condition and quality of solar panels. Solar panel retailers who source and sell unapproved solar panels may be subject to investigation by the relevant regulator or law enforcement agencies.
Participants in the Renewable Energy Target who wilfully commit an act of fraud or non-compliance, such as the creation of certificates based on the installation of unapproved panels, will be subject to enforcement action by the Clean Energy Regulator, which may lead to criminal charges.
The Clean Energy Regulator takes all reports of fraud and non-compliance seriously and considers the actions necessary to ensure the integrity of the market. We are working with other government agencies and industry associations to continue investigating this issue.
If you suspect fraud or non-compliance in the renewable energy industry see
Reporting fraud for information on how to report it.