Section 2: Requirements for all solar PV rebates DRAFT

Mandatory: All solar PV retailers must be approved by the Clean Energy Council as a signatory to the Solar Retailer Code of Conduct (Approved Solar Retailer Scheme). More information: solar.vic.gov.au/become-approved-provider

Why?

• The Solar Retailer Code of Conduct is a voluntary scheme, authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which sets requirements on sales, marketing practices and documentation, and aims to exceed the minimum set by government and regulations.
• Signatories undergo a stringent application process and are subject to monitoring and a compliance and sanctions regime.
• Solar Victoria will consider other equivalent ACCC authorised industry codes as they are developed.

Mandatory: No prosecutions under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (or equivalent legislation/regulations in other Australian jurisdictions) resulting in a plea of guilty or a finding of guilt in the past three years.

Why?

• Compliance with relevant occupational health and safety acts and regulations protect the health, safety and welfare of employees and other people at work.
• Confirming compliance with relevant occupational health and safety acts and regulations aims to ensure that the health and safety of employees and the public are not put at risk by work activities.

Mandatory: Confirmation all workers engaged to install solar PV systems have attained:

CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry accredited unit of competency (White Card/construction induction card).

VU22744 Work safely in the solar industry training unit certification.

Why?

• System retailers are responsible for ensuring workers are appropriately trained to perform high-risk work.
• Retailers must perform due diligence to ensure all workers meet the regulated and contractual requirements of participating in Solar Victoria’s programs.

Mandatory: Compliance with the Victorian Government's ban on electronic waste to landfill.

Why?

• The Victorian Government has banned e-waste from landfill in Victoria, effective 1 July 2019. E-waste is growing three times faster than general municipal waste in Australia, and it contains both valuable and hazardous materials that can be recovered when they reach the end of their working life.
• The Waste Management Policy (e-waste) was approved by the Executive Council on 26 June 2018 and gazetted on 28 June 2018. The Victorian Government Gazette e-waste order can be found on pages 1457 to 1463.
• E-waste describes any device which requires an electro- magnetic current (including anything with a plug, cord or battery) to operate and includes all solar products at the end of their useful life i.e. panels, inverter and energy storage equipment.

Mandatory: Confirmation all workers engaged to install systems have successfully completed online mini-training modules as required by Solar Victoria from time to time.

Why?

• Solar Victoria’s mini-training modules are industry validated and customised for the solar industry in consultation with subject matter experts.
• Mini-training modules mandated by Solar Victoria will be available to complete online prior to the mandatory completion date set by Solar Victoria for each module.
• Solar Victoria will provide reasonable notice of mandatory mini-training modules by way of Solar Victoria’s website.

Recommended: Registered with Energy Safe Victoria as a Registered Electrical Contractor

Why?

• Where a solar PV retailer is also a registered electrical contractor the entity is subject to the Electrical Safety Act 1998. Registered electrical contractors are obliged to provide safety certificates to parties for whom electrical work is carried out.
• Registration as a Registered Electrical Contractor, places greater responsibility on the retailer to ensure worker and customer safety.

Recommended: Main business location listed as “Victoria” according to the Australian Government’s Australian Business Register.

Why?

• A key element of Solar Victoria’s programs concerns driving job creation with strong local content and industry development to build local supply chains. Prioritising businesses with a main business location of Victoria contributes to achieving this.

Recommended: Product manufacturer, supplier, retailer and/or installer offers end-of-life management program with service provider/s certified to “AS/NZS 5377: 2013”.

Why?

• Solar Victoria’s programs aim to support Victoria’s emerging circular economy by encouraging best practice approaches and outcomes for PV products and materials at the end of their lifecycle.
• AS/NZS 5377:2013 establishes Australia’s best practice benchmark for the collection, storage, transport and treatment of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment.
• Future eligibility and installation requirements will be updated periodically. In particular, Solar Victoria recognises the national stewardship approach underway for PV products and materials at the end of their lifecycle.

Recommended: Provide solar PV system owners with a financial performance estimate.

Why?

• Typically, customers purchase solar PV systems to reduce their electricity bills. However, under current Australian Standards, system owners are only required to receive an electricity performance estimate with no consideration of estimated cost savings.
• Greater transparency of the financial benefits of installing solar PV systems empowers customers to make informed decisions.