The Australian photovoltaic (PV) industry is set to adopt new standards starting October 1, 2024.
According to the Clean Energy Council (CEC), all PV modules approved by the organisation must comply with the 2021 edition of the IEC 61215 standard.
This change, introduced by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), impacts manufacturers, retailers, and installers, aligning the industry with global best practices for PV module performance and reliability.
The CEC has confirmed that PV modules certified under the 2021 edition of IEC 61215 will display the suffix “IEC 61215-2021” on the approved product listing, although manufacturers are not required to include this marking on product labels or documentation.
PV modules that do not meet the 2021 standard after October 1 will no longer be eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), affecting their CEC approval status.
Manufacturers have been given a grace period, with some products receiving an extension until March 31, 2025, due to specific extenuating circumstances.
However, modules that are certified under the 2016 version of IEC 61215 must be installed by October 1, 2024, or before their CEC listing expires to remain eligible for STCs.
Retailers and installers are urged to clear any remaining stock of older certified modules before this deadline.
Importers and manufacturers should also take note that from April 1, 2024, the CEC stopped accepting applications for modules certified to the 2016 standard, meaning all new submissions must adhere to the 2021 edition.
While modules expiring before September 30, 2024, automatically fall under a grandfathering clause, these will not be considered CEC-approved after that date without a reapplication for 2021 certification.
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