You signed a quote a few weeks ago, but now you keep seeing headlines about the Clean Energy Council and a 1 May deadline. You might be asking yourself if your panels are still approved, if your STC rebate is secure, or if your installer will call with bad news.
Don’t worry. For most homeowners, the 1 May 2026 change isn’t as big as the headlines suggest.
PSC Energy is a CEC-approved retailer, and we use the approved solar panels list every day. We only quote on approved panels. This article explains what the new rule means, who it affects, and what you might need to do.
What The CEC Changed on Its Approved Solar Panels List
Here’s what’s changing, explained simply.
- From 1 May 2026, the CEC accepts new module applications only if they meet IEC 61730:2023.
- IEC 61730 is the international safety standard for solar panels. The 2023 edition is the latest version.
- Before 1 May, manufacturers could apply using either the 2016 or 2023 version.
- Panels already approved under the 2016 standard will stay on the CEC list until their expiry date.
- This rule doesn’t affect stock already in warehouses or on installer trucks. Retailers can keep selling that stock, and installations will still earn STCs.
- More than 80% of PV modules on the CEC list already meet the IEC 61730:2023 standard.
- The April 2026 update added new models from manufacturers like German thin-film maker AVANCIS and 1KOMMA5°, which has bought several Australian solar businesses.
- The CEC publishes the list, and the Clean Energy Regulator uses it to process STC claims.
Does The Change Affect Panels Already on Order or Installed?
In short, almost certainly not.
The deadline only applies to manufacturers submitting new module applications. It doesn’t affect panels already on the list. The CEC has made it clear that nothing changes for installers and retailers, and the expiry dates for already-listed modules stay the same.
If your installer has quoted a panel that is currently on the list, it will keep its approval until its expiry date.
Your installation will still qualify for STCs, and the rebate process stays the same. Retailers can keep selling existing stock, and installers can keep using it. There’s no need to rush or change panels.
The only time this rule might affect you is if your installer is waiting for a brand-new model that hasn’t been approved yet. In that case, the new model must meet the 2023 standard before it can be added to the list.
If you’re interested in learning about the rebate for solar, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Does the Solar Rebate Work?
Why The CEC Tightened Its Approved Solar Panels List
The CEC has published the changes the 2023 edition brings. Here are the main ones.
- Tighter requirements for junction boxes, connectors, and the front and back sheets of the panel.
- Stronger rules for the insulation materials inside the panel.
- Updated temperature testing rules and definitions.
- New rules for clearance distances and insulation coordination across all panel types.
- Expanded performance and safety tests for bifacial panels (panels that generate from both sides).
- Higher minimum mechanical strength tests, such as load and bend testing.
- New guidance for testing very large panels using representative samples.
- Stronger marking and documentation rules, especially for bifacial and flexible panels.
The 2016 edition was the last major update and set clear rules for system voltages up to 1500 V. The 2023 edition builds on this and raises safety standards to match how panels are used today.
How To Check Which Standard Your CEC-Approved Solar Panels Meet
You can check the version on the panel datasheet.
Panels certified to the 2023 edition will have markings like “IEC 61730-1:2023,” “IEC 61730-2:2023,” or “IEC 61730-1/2:2023.”
If the panel meets the 2016 edition, the datasheet will show the 2016 dates instead. Both markings are valid for installs done before the listing expires.
The standard is listed on the certification line, and a CEC-accredited installer can confirm this quickly.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about AIKO solar panels, you might want to check out the following article titled, Everything You Need to Know About Aiko Neostar N-Type ABC All Black Solar Panels.
How the IEC 61730:2023 Update Fits the Bigger Picture
This isn’t the first time the standards have changed, and it won’t be the last. Here’s a quick timeline.
- October 2024: The CEC required all new module applications to comply with IEC 61215:2021. That change forced retailers to clear older-certified stock before the cutoff.
- May 2026: The CEC adds the IEC 61730:2023 requirement for new safety-standard applications.
- Each month, the approved modules list is updated as new models are added and older listings expire.
- For context, Australia registered 341 MW of small-scale solar in March 2026, making it a record month for rooftop installations.
- As more panels are installed and technology improves, the CEC keeps updating the rules to make sure safety standards keep up.
Questions To Ask Before You Sign For CEC-Approved Solar Panels
If you’re still comparing options or about to sign a contract, go through this short checklist with your installer.
- Does the exact panel model on my quote currently appear on the CEC-approved solar panels list?
- What is the expiry date of that listing?
- Will my install happen before that listing expires?
- If the panel drops off the list before my installation, what does the replacement plan look like, and does my price change?
- Does your installer hold CEC accreditation, and do you trade as a CEC-approved retailer?
A good installer should be able to answer these questions quickly. If their answers aren’t clear, consider it a warning sign.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about working with a solar installer, you might want to check out the following article titled, Top Questions to Ask Your Solar Installer Before Hiring Them.
The PSC Energy Take on the New Safety Standard
The 1 May 2026 deadline mostly matters for manufacturers, not for most homeowners.
If you buy solar in 2026, the panels on your quote will almost always meet all the safety, approval, and rebate requirements.
Over 80% of modules on the current CEC list already meet the 2023 standard, and the 2016 listings keep their approval until they expire.
This change won’t remove panels from your roof or affect your STCs.
These changes raise the standards. Each new certification round removes older designs and encourages manufacturers to make better products.
PSC Energy is a CEC-approved retailer, and we only quote on panels that are listed and well within their expiry dates. If a rule change affects a job we’ve already booked, we’ll contact the customer first. That’s our promise. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about solar panel efficiencies, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Efficient Are Solar Panels? Shade, Heat, and Seasonal Considerations in NSW, Australia.
FAQ: CEC-Approved Solar Panels.
What is the CEC-approved solar panels list?
The list names every solar panel model that meets Australia’s safety and performance standards. The Clean Energy Council publishes it, and the Clean Energy Regulator uses it to decide which installations qualify for STCs.
Will my STC rebate still apply after the 1 May 2026 deadline?
Yes, as long as the panel on your quote sits on the CEC-approved solar panels list at the time of installation. The deadline only changes which new applications the CEC accepts. It does not delete existing approvals.
Are panels certified under the older IEC 61730:2016 standard still safe?
Yes. The 2016 standard forms the previous version of the same international safety code. Panels that meet it pass the same broad test suite and stay on the CEC list until their expiry date. The 2023 standard simply raises the bar for new applications.
How do I check whether my solar panels are CEC-approved?
Ask your installer for the exact panel make and model, then look up the model on the CEC-approved modules list. The certification version appears on the panel label and the datasheet. CEC-approved retailers and accredited installers run this check as standard.
What happens to existing panel stock after the deadline?
Retailers can still sell stock that has already been imported and certified under the 2016 standard. The stock still earns STCs. You do not need to avoid stock that pre-dates the 2026 change.
Why does the CEC keep changing the rules for approved solar panels?
Solar technology, panel sizes, and system voltages keep changing. The CEC updates the rules so the safety standards keep pace with what installers actually fit on Australian roofs.
