NECA Group

News & Views

12th April 2022

New Solar PV laws have now taken effect from 1 April 2022

 
NECA has for some months been advising members about the impending changes to the documentary requirements for the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme commencing on 1 April 2022. As this date is now here, all new small-scale solar PV installations must meet a number of enhanced compliance requirements in order to be able to claim the small-scale technology certificates (STCs). 
 
What you must know is that now you must provide the following documentation: 
 
For solar PV installations on or after 1 April 2022 
 
  • Written compliance statements, using Sample designer and installer written statement, from the accredited designer and installer of the unit confirming: 
    • all relevant design and install requirements for the accreditation scheme under which they are accredited have been met 
    • all local, state and territory requirements have been met 
    • the installer has a copy of the design and the system was installed system to meet the design or modified the design in accordance with the requirements of the accreditation scheme, 
    • that the electrical work was undertaken by an electrical worker holding an unrestricted licence and that relevant documentation required by the jurisdiction has been provided to the system owner 
    • all on-site attendance requirements have been met and they have evidence demonstrating attendance, and, 
    • approved PV modules and inverters were used in the installation 
 
  • A written statement, using Sample solar retailer written statement, by the solar retailer confirming: 
    • The name of the installer and whether the installer is an employee or subcontractor of the solar retailer 
    • that the system will perform in accordance with the contract, except to the extent that the performance is prevented by circumstances outside the retailer’s control 
    • that the unit is complete and generating, or is capable of generating, electricity 
    • that if the unit is grid connected that the unit is connected to the grid, or the solar retailer has completed its obligations under the contract in relation to the unit’s grid connection 
    • that information about feed- in tariffs and export limits relevant for the system have been provided in writing to the owner; 
    • that information on the expected payback period, energy or cost savings for the unit has been provided in writing to the system owner 
    • That the information in the statement is true, complete and correct 
    • That any actual or potential conflicts of interest of the solar retailer have been managed appropriately., and 
    • That a declaration by the agency that the solar retailer is not eligible to make written statements of STC eligibility is not in effect on the day the statement is given. 
 
  • An STC assignment form, using Sample STC Assignment form and compulsory written statements, that includes a mandatory declaration where the system owner assigns the right to create STCs to the registered agent. 
    • Registered agents should ensure that their legal entity name is correctly reflected in the mandatory declaration and matches their REC Registry account name. 
 
  • If requested, information demonstrating that the inverter serial number(s) entered into the REC Registry is the serial number(s) of the inverter(s) installed at the address, such as a clear photo of the barcode label or sticker, obtained from the inverter label. Inverter barcodes that have been scanned from cargo manifests or similar do not demonstrate the installation of panels. It is recommended that these photos are taken at the time of installation to avoid returning to site after installation and delays in processing. 
 
Additionally, all solar PV installations must meet state or territory government electrical installation compliance requirements including documentation such as a certificate of compliance or certificate of electrical safety and, in Western Australia, a Notice of Completion
(from 24 December 2020).