The Clean Energy Council has defended its accreditation scheme for photovoltaic installers despite the cancellation of about six electrician’s ACT licences.
In the worst case, more than 99 per cent of an accredited installer’s ACT work failed its first inspection and some failed subsequent inspections.
United Trades, whose two principals were accredited by the Clean Energy Council, was sub-contracted by Solar Free to undertake many of that company’s ACT installations.
Solar Free is claiming about $1 million compensation from the ACT government because United Trades, which held a NSW licence, was given an ACT electrician’s licence under a reciprocal arrangement. As reported in The Canberra Times yesterday, the government has denied responsibility for Solar Free’s losses. A major failure by some electricians accredited by the Clean Energy Council was not to allow for the higher voltages generated by solar systems in colder climates such as Canberra’s. This led to inadequate wiring, switches and inverters being used. Incorrect installations could cause fires. The ACT and Victoria are the only jurisdictions which require all photovoltaic installations to be inspected.
Accreditation by the Clean Energy Council costs $880 and is valid for 24 months. The Renewable Energy Electricity Act requires photovoltaic systems to be designed and installed by Clean Energy Council-accredited installers to receive Small Scale Technology certificates, which can be sold to offset the cost of systems.
Installers must sign a statement that the requirements under the Act have been met, including that they have followed the Clean Energy Council’s guidelines and state and territory requirements.
Despite the high rate of ACT photovoltaic installations failing inspections, Clean Energy Council deputy chief executive Kane Thornton said its accreditation scheme provided assurance for consumers that the person who installed their system was qualified to do the job.
”To become accredited to install grid-connected solar panels, an applicant must hold an electrician’s licence, a qualification in solar installation from a registered training organisation and demonstrate competence in the installation of solar power systems.”
He said the solar accreditation scheme had been introduced by the solar industry more than 10 years ago and had been successful in ensuring a high level of workmanship across the industry. ”Although no scheme is 100 per cent perfect, the Australian solar industry is a very safe one that has seen very few serious incidents occur during the installation of more than 750,000 systems across the country,” Mr Thornton said.
The council was committed to cracking down on poor quality work and where provided with evidence it could take action by seeking rectification or suspending or cancelling an installer’s accreditation.
”The Clean Energy Council continues to review and tighten standards to ensure that consumers can expect the highest possible level of skill from their accredited solar installer,” Mr Thornton said.
A spokesman for the council said accreditations for both principals of United Trades had expired in May and they had not reapplied.
