Clean Energy Council (CEC)

The Clean Energy Council is Australia's peak industry association for the clean energy sector. Founded in 2004, it represents businesses working across solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy, energy storage, hydrogen, and electric vehicles. The CEC is a not-for-profit organisation, funded by membership fees and government contracts. Its Melbourne headquarters coordinates policy advocacy, industry programs, and product standards work that affects every solar installation in the country.

A common misconception is that the CEC is a government body. It is not. The CEC is an industry association that works alongside government but has no legislative or enforcement powers. The government counterpart most people confuse it with is the Clean Energy Regulator (CER), which administers the Renewable Energy Target and issues Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). The CEC's role is to represent the industry, set voluntary standards, and maintain the approved product lists that underpin the STC scheme.

For homeowners, the CEC matters because its approved product lists determine which solar panels, inverters, and batteries are eligible for government rebates. For installers, the CEC historically managed accreditation, though that function has now transitioned to Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).

The CEC maintains registers of approved solar panels, inverters, and batteries. A product must appear on the relevant CEC approved list to be eligible for STCs under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. Manufacturers submit products for testing against Australian and international standards before they are listed. The CEC periodically reviews and removes products that no longer meet requirements.

For nearly two decades, the CEC managed the accreditation program for solar installers. CEC accreditation was a prerequisite for creating STCs, meaning only CEC-accredited installers could sign off on systems eligible for the federal rebate. This gave the CEC real influence over installer standards, training, and professional conduct.

In mid-2024, installer accreditation formally transitioned from the CEC to Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA), a separate entity established to manage accreditation independently from the industry body. The transition was driven by concerns about the CEC's dual role as both an industry advocate and the body responsible for disciplining its own members. SAA now handles all accreditation applications, renewals, compliance audits, and de-accreditation decisions.

For homeowners, the practical impact is minimal. The same standards apply, and installers who were CEC-accredited had their credentials transferred to SAA. Still, check that your installer holds current SAA accreditation rather than relying on an old CEC accreditation claim. You can verify installer credentials on the SAA website.

The Clean Energy Council and the Clean Energy Regulator have similar names, which causes frequent confusion. They do very different jobs in Australia's renewable energy system.

The CEC Solar Retailer Code of Conduct is a voluntary program that sets standards above the legal minimum for solar retailers. Companies that sign up commit to transparent quoting practices, honest advertising, minimum warranty terms, and accessible complaint resolution processes. The code is administered by the CEC and includes an independent dispute resolution pathway for consumers.

As of 2025, over 100 solar retailers are signatories to the code. While signing up is voluntary, some state government solar rebate programs have historically required retailers to be code-approved as a condition of eligibility. For consumers, choosing a code-approved retailer provides an extra layer of protection, particularly around pre-sale conduct and post-installation support.

The code covers retailers (the company you buy from), not necessarily the sub-contracted installer who does the physical work on your roof. The distinction matters because a retailer can be code-approved while using sub-contractors who may not meet the same internal standards. Always check that both the retailer and the installer hold current SAA accreditation and comply with Australian installation standards.

CEC membership is open to any business operating in the clean energy sector. Members pay annual fees based on their company size and revenue, with categories ranging from small installer businesses to large-scale project developers and multinational manufacturers. Membership provides access to industry events, policy briefings, market data, and the ability to participate in CEC working groups that shape industry standards.

For solar installation companies, CEC membership is separate from installer accreditation (now managed by SAA). A company can be a CEC member without its electricians holding SAA accreditation, and vice versa. However, many established solar businesses maintain both, as CEC membership signals industry engagement and provides networking opportunities.

The CEC also runs an annual Clean Energy Summit. The event brings together policy makers, manufacturers, installers, and investors, and is a key venue for industry announcements including product launches and policy updates.