CEC Accreditation Pathways
The below information shows an overview of various pathways for electricians and electrical engineers to become Clean energy council accredited designers and/or installers. Accreditation with the Clean Energy Council recognises people who have undertaken the necessary training to design and install solar, batteries and other renewable energy systems.
Clean Energy Council – Accreditation Pathways Trade Based Training
STAND-ALONE POWER SYSTEM ACCREDITATION
| Accreditation Type | Electrical Knowledge – Required Units of Competency* | PV System Knowledge – Required Units of Competency |
| SPS Design | E101A, E104A, E107A | K123A, K125A, K128A, K139A |
| SPS Install | All units | K123A, K125A, K128A, K134A |
| SPS Design & Install | All units | K123A, K125A, K128A, K134A, K139A |
GRID CONNECT PV SYSTEM ACCREDITATION
| Accreditation Type | Electrical Knowledge – Required Units of Competency* | PV System Knowledge – Required Units of Competency |
| GC Design | E101A, E104A, E107A | K125A, K135A |
| GC Install | Must hold unrestricted electrical license | K125A, K148A |
| GC Design & Install | Must hold unrestricted electrical license | K125A, K135A, K148A |
ELECTRICAL KNOWLEDGE – PV SYSTEM KNOWLEDGE UNITS OF COMPETENCY
| Electrical Knowledge – Units of Competency* | PV System Knowledge – Units of Competency |
| E101A – Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace | K123A – Carry out basic repairs to renewable energy apparatus |
| E102A – Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components | K125A – Solve basic problems in photovoltaic energy apparatus |
| E104A – Solve problems in d.c. circuits | K128A – Solve problems in stand-alone renewable energy systems |
| E105A – Fix and secure electrotechnology equipment | K134A – Install ELV standalone photovoltaic power systems |
| E107A – Use drawings, diagrams, schedules, standards, codes and specifications | K135A – Design grid connected photovoltaic power supply systems |
| E108A – Lay wiring/cabling and terminate accessories for ELV circuits | K139A – Design stand-alone renewable energy (RE) systems |
| G101A – Solve problems in electromagnetic devices and related circuits | K148A – Install, configure and commission LV grid connected photovoltaic power systems |
ENDORSEMENTS – REQUIRED UNITS OF COMPETENCY
Endorsements – Required Units of Competency
| Hybrid | K133A – Design hybrid renewable power systems |
| Micro-Hydro | K124A – Solve Basic problems in micro-hydro systems |
| K137A – Install, set up and maintain ELV micro-hydro systems rated up to 6.4 kW | |
| K138A – Design micro-hydro systems rated to 6.4 kW | |
| Small Wind | K130A – Solve problems in wind energy conversion systems rated up to 10 kW |
| K131A – Design wind energy conversion systems (WECS) rated to 10 kW . | |
| K143A – Install small wind energy conversion systems rated up to 10 kW for ELV stand-alone applications | |
| Grid Connect with Storage | UEERE4002A – Install, Maintain and Fault Find Battery Storage Systems for Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems |
| UEERE5001A – Design Battery Storage Systems for Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems |
CEC – ACCREDITATION PATHWAYS UNIVERSITY BASED TRAINING
The following process is for applicants who were students from the following universities:
- Murdoch University | Bachelor of Science – Energy Studies
- University of NSW | Bachelor of Engineering Photovoltaic and Solar Energy and Masters in Photovoltaic and Solar Energy
- Curtin University | Master of Engineering Science (Renewable Energy Electrical Power Systems).
Murdoch University Bachelor of Science – Energy studies must show proof of satisfactory completion of the following modules to receive Provisional Accreditation – SPS Design Only:
- PEC 152 Principle of Physics
- PEC 390 Energy Systems
- PEC 298 Scientific monitoring and data analysis
University of NSW must show proof of satisfactory completion of the following modules to receive Provisional Accreditation – SPS Design Only:
– SOLA5054 / SOLA9014
University of NSW must show proof of satisfactory completion of the following modules to receive Provisional Accreditation – GC Design Only:
– SOLA4012 / SOLA9007
Curtain University Masters graduates must show proof of satisfactory completion of the following modules to receive Provisional Accreditation – SPS & GC Design Only:
- Renewable Energy Principles 603
- Renewable Energy Systems 402
Students must provide proof of completion of these studies in the form of a certified academic record. This academic record must be submitted as part of a normal Provisional Accreditation application, including all other required aspects of this application.
FAQ – CEC Accreditation
WHAT IS THE CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL?
The Clean Energy Council is a non for profit organisation which works on the development of the clean energy industry in Australia. CEC issues accreditations to solar and battery installers and designers and makes sure those people are skilled to undertake those kinds of jobs.
HOW TO BECOME A CEC ACCREDITED INSTALLER?
To become a CEC accredited installer you need to :
- Complete your Grid Connect training including those units of competency : UEENEEK125A + UEENEEK148A
- Apply for a provisional accreditation valid for 3 months by providing all the required documents (including : certificates, insurance, electrical licence, working at heights certificate)
- Pass the online assessments within 30 days
- Do the practical assessment which consists in performing an actual installation of a system
- Submit your assessments and pay the fees to get fully accredited. This accreditation will need to be renewed every year.
HOW TO BECOME A CEC ACCREDITED DESIGNER?
To become a CEC accredited designer you need to :
- Complete your Grid Connect training including those units of competency : UEENEEK125A + UEENEEK135A
- Apply for a provisional accreditation valid for 3 months by providing all the required documents (including : certificates, insurance, electrical licence, working at heights certificate)
- Pass the online assessments within 30 days
- Submit your assessments and pay the fees to get fully accredited. This accreditation will need to be renewed every year.
DO I NEED TO BE AN ELECTRICIAN TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS?
Yes you need to be an electrician to install solar panels. If you are an electrical engineer you can design solar panels.
TO INSTALL OR DESIGN SOLAR PANELS DO I NEED A CEC ACCREDITATION?
No, but you won’t be able to claim STCs if you are not CEC accredited. If you are looking to get a job in the solar industry having a CEC accreditation is a good thing to have.
IS CEC AND ELECTRICAL LICENCING BOARD THE SAME?
No they are different organisations.
IS CEC ACCREDITATION VALID IN ALL STATES IN AUSTRALIA?
Yes.
MY CEC EXPIRED LAST YEAR CAN I STILL INSTALL PANELS AND CLAIM STCS ?
No you need to renew your accreditation
IS CEC ACCREDITATION VALID IN OTHER COUNTRIES?
Only in Australia and New Zealand
IS CEC VALID IN NEW ZEALAND?
Yes, it is.
DO CEC GUIDELINES OVERRULE AS 3000 GUIDELINES?
No.
HOW TO GET CEC BATTERY ENDORSEMENT?
You need your CEC grid-connected accreditation before you can apply for battery endorsement
You can get your CEC battery storage accreditation or endorsement after you have completed your battery training.
- To become a CEC accredited Battery Installer you will need to get a certificate for the following unit : UEERE5001
- To become a CEC accredited Battery Designer you will need to get a certificate for the following unit : UEERE4001
- You can then apply for a provisional accreditation and pass the CEC online assessments to get the full accreditation. For the install component you will need to install a battery system.
WHAT IS CEC MEMBERSHIP?
CEC membership is for companies who work in the clean energy industry and want to be part of the conversations, about the sector. Options for membership range from $630 + GST to $55,500+GST per year depending on what option you choose.
HOW TO BECOME A CEC ACCREDITED RETAILER?
You can become a CEC accredited solar retailer and show your customers that you are following the industry’s best practices and that you have high standards of service.
WHAT ARE THE FEES FOR CEC ACCREDITATION?
As of October 2020 the fees on the CEC website are as follows :
- Provisional accreditation : $120 + GST
- Full accreditation : $500 + GST
- Annual renewal : $190 + GST
Visit the CEC website to know how to become a Clean Energy Council accredited installer and access information on guidelines, standards, Continuous Professional Development and more