Regulator bans second rooftop solar installer from rebate scheme

A rooftop solar installer has been banned from access to Australia’s rooftop solar rebate for a year after failing to meet strict accreditation requirements of attending installations.

The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) says Keng Chew provided false written statements claiming he was the accredited installer or supervisor onsite for 12 solar installations between August 15, 2022, and June 06.

As a result, Chew has been declared ineligible under the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme for a period of 12 months, marking the second time in just two months the CER has opted to disqualify an installer.

In February, the CER barred Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installer David Coulthard from installing solar systems under the SRES, also for 12 months.

As the regulator noted at the time, it was the first time it had exercised its additional powers to disqualify an installer since amendments to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 came into force.

The major tightening of the rules around the retail and installation of rooftop solar systems in Australia – aimed at weeding out shonky operators and poorly installed or unsafe systems – was announced in late 2021, following a major industry review.

One of the key rule changes requires CEC accredited installers to be at the site of a rooftop solar job during setup, installation and commissioning – and to provide evidence of compliance by way of “selfie photographs.”

Essentially, the rule aims to ensure that the person ultimately responsible for the safety and quality of the installation is on site when needed and not, say, in another country – as was the case with this Canberra installer, who was caught out, fined and stripped of accreditation in 2022.

“The attendance of an accredited installer when the work is being done matters for quality and safety,” said CER general manager of compliance Piet Powell in a statement on Thursday.

“The rooftop solar sector has had enough time and enough notice on the requirements they need to meet.

“We won’t tolerate those who are unwilling to do the right thing,” Powell said.

Sophie Vorrath

Sophie is editor of One Step Off The Grid and deputy editor of its sister site, Renew Economy. Sophie has been writing about clean energy for more than a decade.