The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted reauthorisation to the Clean Energy Council, representing Australia’s renewable and energy efficiency industries, for its revised Solar Retailer Code of Conduct.The code is a voluntary system that solar retailers can sign up to, meeting best practice standards that will benefit consumers and the industry.
“Ensuring that solar retailers, as well as other industry participants, strive to improve standards of practice is important for consumers as household solar panels are a significant purchase,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard stated.
“Achieving higher standards in the industry will increase consumer confidence, enable consumers to make better decisions and enhance compliance as the industry grows.”
The ACCC noted that the code enhances consumer protection as it requires ethical sales practices, increases disclosure to consumers about the costs of entering into agreements and reduces safety risk by requiring code signatories to use accredited installers.
“The solar panel market is evolving, which has led to different business models emerging,” Rickard commented.
“While this could lead to greater confusion for customers, signatories to the code will be required to provide important information to consumers about the nature of the agreement they are entering into.”
