The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is updating its PV module application requirements to the 2021 version of the IEC 61215 Standards series.

From 1 October 2024, all PV modules approved by the CEC will need to comply with the 2021 edition of the IEC 61215 series. A grandfathering extension to 3 September 2024 will be automatically granted for CEC listings certified to the 2016 version of IEC 61215 that is currently set to expire between 1 April 2024 and 30 September 2024, allowing extra time to clear obsolete stock.

The CEC has now set the listing expiry dates of all current PV module listings certified to IEC 61215:2016 to no later than 30 September 2024. PV Modules certified to IEC 61215:2021 will have a (IEC 61215-2021) suffix on the CEC listing. This is for CEC listing purposes only. Manufacturers are not required to print the suffix on labels or manufacturer documentation.

PV modules that do not comply with the new Standard after 1 October 2024 will not be considered CEC Approved. This will impact eligibility for small-scale technology certificates (STCs). PV module labels will generally include a reference to which version of IEC 61215 the PV modules are certified to. If unsure, please contact your supplier/PV module manufacturer.

Only PV modules with labels/markings showing conformance to the 2021 version of IEC 61215 will be eligible for STCs after 1 October 2024.

If the PV module label shows the PV Modules are compliant with the 2016 version of IEC 61215, these must be installed before the CEC listing expiry date for the 2016 version. Retailers and installers are advised to take into consideration the time it will take to clear existing stock certified to the 2016 version of IEC 61215.

Manufacturers, importers and distributors should note from 1 September 2023, in recognition that any new PV module application with IEC 61215:2016 will have a listing period of fewer than 12 months, the CEC is offering a reduced fee of $1000 (plus GST where applicable) for new PV module applications submitted after 1 September 2023 with IEC 61215:2016.

From 1 April 2024, CEC will stop accepting applications with IEC 61215:2016 certification and all new PV module applications submitted from 1 April 2024 are required to have certification to the 2021 edition of IEC 61215 series.

Manufacturers and importers are advised to communicate to their supply chain regarding the changes to CEC approval periods to allow the supply chain time to clear obsolete stock. CEC recommends that manufacturers and importers take into consideration the time taken by the supply chain to clear obsolete stock when importing PV Modules certified to IEC 61215:2016.

For PV modules to remain CEC approved after 30 September 2024, a new application with IEC 61215:2021 (and IEC 61730:2016) must be submitted.

PV modules certified to IEC 61215:2021 will have a IEC 61215-2021 suffix on the CEC listing. This is for CEC listing purposes only. Manufacturers are not required to print the suffix on labels or manufacturer documentation.

In conjunction with changes to PV Module applications requirements, CEC is also updating the requirements for CEC PV modules enhanced listings with an updated enhanced listing checklist available on the CEC website.

For enhanced listings requests submitted with a PV module application, the assessment of the enhanced listings request will remain free of charge. For enhanced listings requests submitted with a PV module application, the assessment of the request of the enhanced listing will remain free of charge.

Updates to a currently approved PV module listing with enhanced listings features will now incur an update fee of $1,000 AUD (plus GST).