CEC Accreditation – What does it mean?
In Australia, several governing bodies determine the safety, ethics and regulatory practices that need to be adhered to in the Australian Solar Industry. One of the biggest is the Australian Clean Energy Council (CEC). They provide best practice guidelines for solar retailers to adhere to via a strict code of conduct.
This document aims to protect both the industry and consumers regarding the standard solar design and installation practices that solar retailers undertake. This protection applies to individuals, households, commercial businesses, and business owners.
A board of representatives called the Code Review Panel, governs the CEC Code of Conduct. It’s an independent panel that is made up of consumer and industry representation. The purpose of the meeting is to continually review the code and make relevant updates to reflect industry progression. It inadvertently reshapes the expected standards and best practices for solar installations.
What is a Clean Energy Council [CEC] Accredited Retailer?
Westsun Energy has recently become a CEC-accredited solar retailer by the Clean Energy Council. We have been in the solar industry for over ten years and are incredibly happy with this achievement.
Becoming a CEC Accredited Solar Retailer for businesses and consumers has many benefits. Firstly, it allows us to provide peace of mind to our customers about how their solar energy and solar storage systems are being designed, installed and maintained. It gives them unwavering certainty about the high level of service and industry best practice that is being followed and maintained for every solar panel and battery storage system install that is being performed.
In conjunction with this, it allows approved retailers to feel confident in their business practices by knowing they are performing electrical work of the highest standard and safety precautions in the industry today.
What it means to be an Accredited Retailer.
As a CEC Accredited Retailer, we are committed to undertaking all solar and electrical work that follows the strict safety and ethical practices outlined in the Code of Conduct to ensure the protection of all parties and property whilst maintaining the longevity of the solar industry.
For consumers, it means they can quickly identify the solar retailers who have committed to top-tier service.
In addition to feeling at ease by selecting an Accredited Retailer, consumers know the retailer is being monitored and upheld by a program authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). At times, there are also incentives for being an Approved CEC Retailer, with the government providing exclusive incentive programs for these accreditations – which is a win-win situation for consumers and retailers.
What is a Clean Energy Council [CEC] Accredited Installer
In addition to a business being held to high industry standards, the Clean Energy Council also have an accreditation program for electricians to become certified under the CEC installation guidelines. By becoming a CEC Accredited Installer, the CEC recognises electricians who abide by professional industry and safety standards outlined and dictated in the Installers Code of Conduct.
There are approximately six stages to becoming an accredited solar installer – here is a basic breakdown of the steps involved:
- First, you need to be a qualified electrician by Australian government standards.
- You must complete a separate PV systems/batteries/inverter accredited course via an Australian registered training organisation [RTO].
- From there, you can apply for provisional accreditation with the CEC.
- Next, you must sit and pass a series of online assessments.
- Next, you must complete a practical installation assessment [often more than one].
- Finally, you can apply for full accreditation by presenting proof of all of the above steps and additional requirements relating to safety at heights and in specific workplaces, etc.
Once granted accreditation, you can practice as a CEC Accredited Solar Installer.
What it means to be an Accredited Installer
Holding the title of a Clean Energy Council Accredited Installer means you can provide your customers with certainty about your knowledge, ability and ethics as an Accredited Solar Installer. They can rely on your ability and have complete trust that you are providing them with the most up-to-date information. They are practising the safest and most compliant installation practices in the Australian solar market.
How we operate at Westsun Energy
Westsun Energy is committed to providing our Australian homeowners with complete transparency in everything we do as a solar retailer and installation company. We are a proud CEC Accredited Retailers group member and are committed to bringing our customers the best in the business by employing CEC-accredited installers. We will continue to contribute to raising standards in the Australian Solar Industry, one installation at a time.
