New obligations for solar retailers taking part in Solar Homes program

Solar Victoria has welcomed the State Government’s decision to require retailers taking part in the Solar Homes program to be signatories to the Clean Energy Council’s Solar Retailer Code of Conduct or be excluded from the program.

Requiring participating solar retailers to commit to behave ethically, provide quality service and reasonable warranties bolsters existing consumer protections and an existing requirement for solar installers to be accredited by the Clean Energy Council.

“While existing consumer protections already go a long way to protect purchasers, we have identified a gap, which this Code of Conduct addresses,” Sustainability Victoria’s Chief Executive Officer, Stan Krpan, said.

“Having sales staff, their employers, and installers committing to high standards will ensure consumers get a better solar outcome.”

From 1 July 2019, the most active solar retailers taking part in the Government’s Solar Homes program must be signatories to the Clean Energy Council’s Solar Retailer Code of Conduct if they wish to continue to take part in the $1.42 billion program

Lower volume solar retailers will be required to be signatories to the Code of Conduct from 1 November 2019.

“Our primary interest is to protect consumers and ensure integrity in an industry where, unfortunately, some operators still seek to take advantage of people who are making a substantial financial outlay,” Mr Krpan said.

“Solar Victoria is committed to delivering a quality program. To do that we must ensure solar retailers understand what is required of them.”

“Lifting standards will help to establish a level playing field for all companies and add to the work already being done with Energy Safe, WorkSafe, the Victorian Building Authority and the Essential Services Commission and Consumer Affairs Victoria,” Mr Krpan said.

All solar retailers that are not yet signatories to the Clean Energy Council’s Retailers Code of Conduct are encouraged to apply for approval now.

More information on the Retailers Code of Conduct can be found on our page about Quality and safety standards or the Clean Energy Council's website.