CEC stands by solar industry
Thu 22 July 2010
Matthew Howard, Bachelor of Journalism
Australia’s renewable energy watchdog, the Clean Energy Council, has renewed its support for the solar power industry following claims of poor workmanship and inferior products in the Australian market.
The CEC moved to assure consumers of solar safety and reliability standards after industry leaders claimed that the Australian Government’s $6,000 rebate scheme had attracted second-rate installers and products.
Detractors have likened the rebate to the Government’s failed Home Insulation scheme which resulted in the deaths of four contractors and multiple house fires after unqualified installers flooded the market.
Clean Energy Council policy director Russell Marsh said that all prospective installers must gain CEC accreditation before they are able to work in the industry.
“If they are installing [solar] systems to the grid, they have to be first and foremost an electrical contractor with an electrical licence, and then they have to go through 120 hours of additional training from a recognised training body,” Mr Marsh said.
Mr Marsh said the products used in solar power systems also must gain approval from recognised industry bodies.
“We require evidence to be provided that they’ve been individually tested so that they meet the Australian standards,” Mr Marsh said.
Sunshine Coast Solazone representative Kathryn Hicks said that accreditation is a good thing for the industry, as it provides peace of mind for consumers.
“It makes it easier in the industry as well when you’re Clean Energy accredited,” Ms Hicks said.
“If there are shonky dealers out there, obviously if there’s no accreditation behind them then they’re not going to have the experience behind them.”
Ms Hicks said that government rebates have increased demand, and seen the number of businesses in the Sunshine Coast region expand.
“We’ve been in the business for over 30 years,” Ms Hicks said.
“There’s definitely high demand, because solar energy is the way of the future, but I think there are a few [companies] out there that have the same experience as us.”
Queensland National Party Senator Ron Boswell has been voicing his concerns about unsafe work practices to a Senate Committee inquiry into Renewable Energy Target Bills.
“There was evidence from industry participants -big name, respected, industry participants - that they fear the very high demand for these systems could create accountability and safety issues,” Senator Boswell said.
Senator Boswell said that market demand could see cheaper, inferior products on sale to Australian consumers.
“There was evidence that we’ve got very cheap imported product starting to come in,” Senator Boswell said.
“We’ve had hundreds of companies cropping up virtually overnight to take advantage of the subsidy driven demand, and this Government’s record on oversight, as per the insulation scheme, is obviously suspect.”
Senator Boswell hopes the Senate Committee’s findings will lead to a more accountable administration.
“[I hope] we end up with good legislation that will ensure this scheme isn’t allowed to be another home insulation, and the target for expensive renewable power remains 20 per cent,” Senator Boswell said.
The Senate Committee is due to submit its findings into Renewable Energy Target Bills in July, 2010.
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