The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has established a new Best Practice Charter for renewable energy developments. At the CEC Clean Energy Summit this week, thirty-seven businesses agreed to sign up to the new charter.
The charter sets a Code of Conduct for the industry to safeguard communities that live near renewable energy projects.
It is in addition to the existing Clean Energy Council certification and accreditation as to professional standards for solar power systems retailers and installers.
Clean Energy Summit: Respectful, sensitive community engagement
The charter contains ten pledges regarding sensitivity to the local environment and communities when developing renewable energy projects.
These include pledges to:
- Engage respectfully with local communities including the traditional owners, prior to finalising project designs and submitting development applications;
- Demonstrate sensitivity to local biodiversity and culture, and consult with the community on the impacts of projects such as noise and traffic; and
- Provide local employment opportunities and share the benefits of projects locally.
CEC Chief Executive Kane Thornton said renewable energy projects are likely to increase in regional areas due to their lower cost to build. He said the industry understands the need to “invest strongly” in including local communities.
CEC Accreditation essential for best practice
However, the new charter is not a set of rules so much as a voluntary agreement. When it comes to solar installations, it’s essential providers have proper CEC Accreditation.
To achieve accreditation there are four steps:
- Training with a Registered Training Organisation.
- Application for provisional accreditation. This means providing training certificates and holding an electrical licence and public liability insurance.
- Updating to full accreditation. This requires completing assessments on theory, design and practical applications.
- Moving into the Continuous Professional Development phase after 12 months. This includes completing 100 points of training and professional development each year.
All Energy Matters’ installers are fully CEC Accredited. This means they hold full certification and are compliant with best practice and Australian Standards.
In addition, Energy Matters is one of only a few CEC Accredited Retailers. Energy Matters was also one of the founding signatories to the Australian solar PV industry’s Code of Conduct.
This gives customers assurance of the highest quality and standards when it comes to solar panel installations.
If you would like to know more about solar or battery installations in your home or business, call Energy Matters on 133 786.
