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New standards apply 1 October 2024

Since August 2023, the Clean Energy Council has been notifying the industry of the upcoming standards change to approved PV modules.

A change to approved PV modules is coming into effect soon and its important the industry is ready. From 1 October 2024, all new solar installations will need to use modules that meet 2021 standards, unless an extension has been formally granted by the Clean Energy Council.

New products standards like these involve a big change in the industry, which is why we set a long transition period of 14 months. From May until mid-July, we accepted extension requests, which have been assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Manufacturers, installers, retailers and those involved in the provision of PV modules in Australia should read the information below to ensure they’re ready.

Prepare for the PV modules standards change

Effective 1 October 2024

All PV modules must be certified to the 2021 version of the IEC 61215 Standards and have documentation submitted to the CEC before 1 October 2024 to remain on the product list. Some products have been granted an extension until 31 March 2025.

  • You must apply for re-certification as soon as possible, as it can take two to three months. Once recertified, you must submit your application with the CEC with a valid certificate for PV modules to remain on the CEC Approved Products list effective 1 October 2024 as per IEC 61215:2021.
  • Work closely with your supply chain to clear obsolete stock when importing PV modules certified to IEC 61215:2016. No additional stock should be imported unless you are certain it can be installed prior to the cut-off date. Be aware of the implication for any state and territory rebate or incentive schemes.
  • Please submit an extension request by 15 July 2024. If you have submitted an application and/or received an outcome please inform your customers.
  • PV modules approved to IEC 61215:2021 will have a (IEC 61215-2021) suffix on the CEC listing. This is for CEC listing purposes only. Manufacturers are not required to print the suffix on labels or manufacturer documentation.
  • You must continue to clear existing stock certified to the 2016 version of IEC 61215. No additional stock should be imported or purchased unless you are certain it can be installed prior to the expiry date.
  • If you are exploring options to manage 2016 stock, talk to your agents and manufacturers to understand whether they are applying for an extension. Check the expiry date of your modules here.
  • Retailers are encouraged to contact their manufacturers to ensure they provide relevant documentation to the CEC. If your manufacturer or importer is not applying for extension and you require support, you may submit an extension request by 15 July 2024 via here.
  • PV modules certified to IEC 61215:2021 will have a (IEC 61215-2021) suffix on the CEC listing. This is for CEC listing purposes only. Manufacturers are not required to print the suffix on labels or manufacturer documentation.
  • If the PV Module label shows the PV Modules are compliant to the 2016 version of IEC 61215 - these must be installed before the CEC listing expiry date for the 2016 version. If unsure, please contact your supplier/PV module manufacturer.
  • Electrical workers in various jurisdictions must ensure that the products installed are compliant with the electrical safety legislation specific to each jurisdiction. If they have concerns about the acceptability of a product, they should seek clarification from the local regulator.

Understanding the standards change process

  • When AS/NZS 5033:2021 was published and became mandatory in May 2022, it brought changes to the requirements for solar panels (PV modules) used in Australia and New Zealand (Clause 4.3.1.1 General). These changes aimed to align with international standards set by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).
  • In most cases, following publication of Australian Standards for installation, the electrical safety regulators across the country adhere to the published six-month transition period, where either the current published version or the version being superseded can be followed (but not combinations of both).
  • When AS/NZS 5033:2021 refers to another Standard, it does not typically give a year for that Standard. However, in these situations legislation considers the most recently published versions to be the ones that are required.
  • After consultation with various regulatory bodies and testing labs, the CEC was of the belief that a six-month transition did not provide industry with suitable time to implement these changes. It was decided that it would be in the best interest of the renewable energy industry in Australia to implement an unofficial transition period whereby the CEC would monitor and communicate with testing labs and help them prepare for change.
  • In August 2023, after CEC confirmed that a significant amount of testing labs had updated their scope of works and were actively testing to the newer standards, it made its first announcement to the industry, giving 14 months’ notice of the standards change.

State electrical safety acts or regulations specify that AS/NZS3000 must be adhered to, and AS/NZS3000 in turn specifies that AS/NZS5033 must be adhered to.

Clause 7.3.2 of AS/NZS 3000 mandates that in scope PV module installations must comply with AS/NZS5033. In turn, section 4.3 of AS/NZS 5033 states that modules used in the installation must be qualified to IEC 61215.

The electrical safety regulators have the power to bar modules that are not compliant with the current standard from being installed in their state or territory, meaning that an extension would have no effect in their jurisdiction. By AS/NZS 5033 not referencing a dated version of the IEC, regulators must interpret that the current version is required for compliance with electrical safety legislation.

  • The CEC notified manufacturers and agents of the change in August 2023, October 2023 and March 2024
  • The CEC website was updated to alert industry of this change since August 2023
  • The CEC Product list was updated in August 2023 where product expiry dates were updated. Stock purchasers are expected to check the expiry of the module prior to purchasing the product.
  • The CEC newsletters actively promoted this upcoming change
  • In late March/early April 2024 the CEC undertook two surveys to gauge industry preparedness.
  • The CEC consulted industry between March and April 2024
  • The CEC confirmed the transition plan on first week of May 2024 with regular communication following this.
  • On 15 July 2024, applications for extension requests were closed for application.

Extension requests

Extension request applications closed on 15 July 2024

From 3 May 2024 to 15 July 2024, we encouraged those manufacturers and retailers who needed more time to apply for an extension beyond the 1 October deadline.

We received 82 extension requests and have approved 58 of these. These extensions are now reflected in the expiry dates on the product listing.

We are here for you

We are committed to supporting you throughout this transition process as best as we can. For any questions regarding the transition process please contact the CEC Products Team at products@cleanenergycouncil.org.au.

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