Approved Solar Retailer program overview
Find out more about the program that ran from 2013 to Jan 2023
The Approved Solar Retailer program has now been replaced by the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) program.
10 years of helping protect consumers and raise standards
In 2013 a group of solar businesses came together to try to tackle a small but damaging number of instances of poor business practices in the industry. The result of those conversations was the Solar Retailer Code of Conduct, a voluntary set of consumer protection guidelines for the sale and provision of renewable energy services, systems, and products.
The Code complemented regulations enforced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), energy safety bodies and consumer affairs, by encouraging solar retailers to commit to consumer protection standards that exceed those existing protections or clarify their application to small-scale renewables. Signatories to the Code became Approved Solar Retailers. A rigorous assessment process excluded applicants who couldn't demonstrate they met these standards while compliance action helped rectify instances where Approved Solar Retailers fell short.
“...the Code has resulted, and is likely to continue to result, in public benefit. In particular, for complex products such as solar PV systems, the obligations on retailers under the Code (for example, regarding advertising, information disclosure and consumer education) help consumers make better and informed purchasing decisions.”ACCC, Final Declaration on re-authorisation of the Solar Retailer Code of Conduct
The following resources provide more information about the Solar Retailer Code of Conduct and the requirements that companies met to become Approved Solar Retailers:
Solar Retailer Code of Conduct
Approved Solar Retailer flyer
A key part of the program's success came from its broad adoption by industry including by many solar rebate schemes in QLD, NSW, ACT, SA and VIC, which has helped the ASR badge become a recognised and trusted mark of consumer protection standards. By the end of the program, each month over 5,900 customers used the 'Find an Approved Solar' tool, 880 downloaded our Solar and Storage guides and 250 reached out directly to us to help resolve questions or complaints*.
While there is still work to be done to tackle bad practices by a minority of retailers in the industry, the overall story from the last decade in Australia's rooftop solar industry has been that of declining complaints and increasing customer satisfaction.
*Monthly averages from December 2021 to November 2022
Become a New Energy Tech Approved Seller
The NETCC Program replaces the Approved Solar Retailer (ASR) program
The NETCC program expands on the previous ASR program to include new and emerging technologies.
Find out more about the previous Approved Solar Retailer program including compliance statistics.