MEDIA RELEASE
2
June 2010
Solar panels are safe
NATIONAL: Australia’s peak clean energy body has moved to assure households of the reliability and
safety of solar panels following recent media reports.
Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Matthew Warren said today that photovoltaic solar panels in
Australia were safe and reliable, backed by a rigorous accreditation scheme for installers and a
schedule of approved panels that has been in place for a decade.
“To qualify for government subsidies, solar PV systems in Australia must be installed by accredited
installers using approved systems that meet Australian Standards,” he said. “The Clean Energy
Council manages this system under the supervision of the Federal Government. It has helped the
industry achieve an outstanding safety and quality record during its operation.”
“Solar systems in Australia are safe and they work. There have been more than 100,000 solar panels
installed in Australia over a 25-year period.
“As with any purchase, we encourage consumers to do some basic research and ask sensible
questions to find a system and a supplier that is right for them. ”
The Clean Energy Council has today released a new guide for consumers interested in buying solar
The Clean Energy Council will continue to work with the Federal Government to ensure consumers
can buy solar panels with confidence.
“We are continuously reviewing standards and approved systems to ensure they deliver the safety
and reliability required,” Mr Warren said.
“There were some effectively “free” solar systems offered last year under the $8000 solar rebate
program set up by the Howard Government. That program has since been wound up, with some
installers at the time offering discounts and other incentives to price solar systems at or near zero
dollars. Those systems were also installed safely and reliably by accredited installers.
“The purpose of government support for emerging technologies like solar panels is to help households
reduce greenhouse emissions and cut their power bills while developing the industry.
“The Clean Energy Council believes solar panels should be affordable and we are working to inform
consumers of the range of options available to them in this fast growing market,” Mr Warren said.
For media enquiries please call Mark Bretherton 0413 556 981 or 03 9929 4111
The Clean Energy Council is the peak body for the clean energy sector. It is working with all Australian
governments to drive the development of clean energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydro,
wave, bioenergy and cogeneration.
Suite 201, 18 Kavanagh Street, Southbank 3006, Australia
E
info@cleanenergycouncil.org.au
T
+61 3 9929 4100
F
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