Deadline for panel standards changes and STC eligibility

The deadline to transition photovoltaic (PV) modules on the Clean Energy Council’s (CEC’s) approved list to the latest version of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61215 standard is fast approaching.

From 1 October 2024, solar installations must use PV modules that are certified to the 2021 version of IEC 61215 standard or have an approved extension to be eligible for small-scale technology certificates (STCs). The CEC has now closed applications for extensions. Models with approved extensions have a new expiry date of 31 March 2025.

If you have excess stock certified to the 2016 version of the standard, you should prioritise these products for installation or risk missing out on STC incentives.

If you’re unsure, you can check the version of the standard on the PV module label. The installation must be tested and commissioned before the PV module expiry date to be eligible for STCs.

The CEC will add ‘IEC 61215-2021’ to the end of panel models certified to the 2021 version of the standard. This will be for STC creation purposes only and will not be on the PV module label. Installers must select the correct module when submitting the assignment in Geo. We also recommend installers take photos showing the panel model number on the site should the CER carry out an audit