RAISING THE BAR ON SOLAR AND BATTERY PRODUCT STANDARDS Presentation to Australian Clean Energy Summit 19 July 2017 Darren Gladman
AUSTRALIA IS A VERY OPEN MARKET Imported PV panels are free of all duties and tariffs China-Australia Free Trade Agreement will eliminate tariffs on imported inverters and batteries No dumping duties Australia is one of the most liberal, open markets in the world for renewable energy products
AUSTRALIAN STANDARDS PV panels & inverters must meet Australian Standards for safety and quality CEC lists panels & inverters that meet Aust Standards Only CEC-listed panels and inverters are eligible for STCs
CEC S ROLE IN PRODUCT LISTING Statutory role under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 CEC Approved Product List determines eligibility for STCs for PV panels and inverters Inverter list is used by distributors to assess applications for connection. This is increasing in detail and importance We are developing a listing service for batteries, initially to verify testing to product safety standards (eg. IEC 62619)
SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES IN 2016 New Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) for PV modules, March 2016 Old system only allowed delisting in cases of demonstrated noncompliance with Australian Standards or evidence of fraud New T&Cs grounds for delisting include breaches of Aust Consumer Law & failure to cooperate or communicate with CEC Product Listing Review Panel to ensure procedural fairness
CHANGES IN 2016 PV module suppliers must: Demonstrate compliance with Australian standards List the importer(s) as well as the manufacturer Have an Australian business address & ABN Allow their product to be independently tested Keep & make available serial number records
GROUNDS FOR PRODUCT DE-LISTING Changes allow CEC to de-list products on the grounds of: Breaches of consumer law identified by federal or state authorities Results of independent lab testing Product supplier cannot be identified or contacted Product supplier fails to cooperate on matters of compliance
REVIEW AND APPEAL PROCESSES De-listing will cause suppliers to lose eligibility for SRES a serious commercial disadvantage CEC anticipates legal challenges in response We have developed a review & appeal process for suppliers. This will ensure procedural fairness and make legal challenges against de-listing less likely. An independent panel for review & appeals includes an industry representative (Nigel Morris)
TRANSITION TO NEW MODULE T&CS 25000 Modules listed under old and new systems 20000 15000 10000 5000 0 New T&Cs Old system (pre March 2016)
PV MODULES - 2017 PV panel list is transitioning 32% on new T&Cs CEC Product Testing Program commenced for PV modules 7 PV module brands (under old system) tested in 2016, resulting in 5 delistings & 1 voluntary product recall 7 PV module brands (under new T&Cs) tested in 2017, resulting in 3 delistings TPL Energy, Worldwide Energy and Manufacturing USA (Amerisolar) and Simax (Suzhou) Green New Energy Co Ltd
INVERTERS - 2017 AS4777.2:2015 mandatory from Oct 2016 Developing inverter testing program Active anti-islanding (IEC 62116) used by Western Power & Energy Qld Higher inverter standards to enable better grid connection rules Further reviews by AEMC and state govts
BATTERIES - 2017 Battery safety standard (IEC 62619) published Feb 2017 Proposal for stringent installation standards (AS 5139) Proposal for adoption of IEC 62619 as Aust standard Responsibility for demonstrating product safety should lie with manufacturers, not installers or consumers Proposal to require demonstration of compliance with IEC 62619 in advance of Australian standard
PRODUCT LISTING PRIORITIES, 2017-18 Develop a voluntary listing service for batteries Ramp up module testing program and develop inverter testing program Support the CER s serial number verification pilot program
NEXT STEPS Date Milestone 10/08/17 Revised T&Cs for listing PV modules & inverters in effect 01/09/17 All new crystalline module listings must meet 2016 eds. of IEC 61215 & IEC 61730 Late 2017? Draft Australian standard adopted from IEC 62619 published? 01/01/18 All new thin film module listings must meet 2016 eds. of IEC 61215 & IEC 61730 01/02/18 All crystalline modules not on new T&Cs must meet 2016 eds. of IEC 61215 & IEC 61730 13/02/18 CEC Battery Installation Guidelines to mandate IEC 62619 battery safety standard 01/04/18 All thin film modules not on new T&Cs must meet 2016 eds. of IEC 61215 & IEC 61730 Mid 2018? Australian standard adopted from IEC 62619 comes into effect? 01/12/18 All listed modules must meet 2016 eds. of IEC 61215 & IEC 61730
THANK YOU QUESTIONS? DARREN GLADMAN DGLADMAN@CLEANENERGYCOUNCIL.ORG.AU