Electricians angry over solar rules

Sydney Morning Herald
Thursday 24/6/2010 Page: 8

ELECTRICIANS have waded into a stoush with an industry group, the Clean Energy Council, over who has the right to control the installation of solar panels. Changes the federal government has made to the solar installer accreditation process mean the responsibility for checking the safety of solar panels has passed from the Clean Energy Council to state energy regulators.

But electricians must still pay the council $660, rising to $880 after 18 months, for permission to install the panels. The council maintains it plays a vital role in policing the safety of the scheme. But the Electrical Trades Union accused the group of making money for nothing and entangling electricians in red tape. "The council represents no one and largely comprises academics and consultants who simply seek to attain a revenue stream from the take-up of new technology," said the assistant national secretary, John Ingrain.

"This kind of ticket clipping is a brake on economic activity and, more significantly, acts to retard greenhouse gas abatement via the take-up of new technology." The council's policy director, Russell Marsh, said in a statement the fee covered administration and inspection costs and helped fund a consumer handbook. On Monday the government said it had tightened the guidelines for installing solar panels.