Image: chrischesneau
Stakeholders and the public are encouraged to provide feedback a new industry code of conduct being developed to help further protect Australian purchasers of PV and battery systems, along with other “behind-the-meter” products.
Behind-the-meter refers to technologies, equipment and software involved with the generation and use of energy on-site – for example solar panels installed on the rooftop of a home or business. Uptake of BTM products has been phenomenal, as evidenced by the installation of more than 2 million solar power systems across the country.
In 2017, the COAG Energy Council requested a Code of Conduct be developed related to the sale and installation of all distributed energy products such as solar power systems, solar batteries and energy management devices and software. The Behind-the-Meter Working Group (BTMWG) was subsequently formed, which consists of the following organisations:
Australian Energy Council
Clean Energy Council
Consumer Action Law Centre
Energy Consumers Australia
Energy Networks Australia
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Renew
Smart Energy Council
The BTMWG has since developed a draft industry-wide code of conduct for sellers of distributed energy resource products called the Behind-the-Meter Industry Code. The draft was released late last year.
The BTM Industry Code covers a number of areas:
Pre-sale: a commitment to ensuring promotional material is clear, accurate and relevant, and that sales and quoting practices are responsible.
Sale: fit- for- purpose products, systems and services. Clear contracts and timeframes.
Payment and finance: outlines responsibilities where the merchant assists in arranging finance.
Post-sale and installation: ensuring all necessary information is provided and responsibility for work taken.
Complaint-handling and warranty: responding to complaints in a timely and appropriate fashion and honouring of warranties.
Business management: compliance with existing legislation, regulations, Australian Standards and practices required under the code.
Administration: compliance with any reasonable requests made by the Behind-the-Meter Industry Code’s Administrator or the Panel.
The full draft BTM Industry Code can be downloaded here (PDF).
Stakeholder consultation forums in Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne have already occurred, with more to be held in Melbourne and Brisbane this month .
Feedback on the draft BTM Industry Code can also be submitted to BTMIndustrycode@cleanenergycouncil.org.au by Wednesday 6 February 2019. The general public as well as stakeholders are invited to contribute their views.
Once the feedback period has ended and submissions reviewed, the Code will be revised. The final version will then be submitted to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for authorisation.
The BTMWG is also working on governance aspects, which includes a body that will oversee the Code’s promotion, development, resourcing and appointment of a Code Administrator. Participation in the code will be voluntary (proposed cost unknown at this point), but as with the CEC’s Approved Solar Retailer program, it could possibly become a prerequisite for participation in some programs, so it’s important for all involved to have their say.