CEC Accredited Installers: Verify Before You Sign
Solar
Solar accreditation in Australia is now issued by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA), not the Clean Energy Council. If you’re hiring a solar installer and want your system to qualify for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, the single most important step you can take before signing anything is to ask for the installer’s SAA accreditation number and run it through the SAA “Check Installer Accreditation Status” tool.
The Clean Energy Council completed the handover to SAA, so any installer renewing or applying for new accreditation must now do so through SAA. The term “CEC accredited installers” is still widely used, but the accreditation itself now lives with SAA. For your STC rebate to hold up, your installer needs a current SAA accreditation number AND an unrestricted state or territory electrical licence. Both. Not one or the other.
Pro Tip: Ask for the accreditation number before you request a quote, not after. Energy checking it at the very start of the process, because eligibility depends on accreditation at the time of installation, not at the time of claiming.
Key Takeaways
Accreditation for SRES/STC eligibility is now issued by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA), not the CEC — verify both the SAA accreditation number and the unrestricted electrical licence before signing any contract.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| SAA issues accreditation now | The CEC completed handover to SAA; all new and renewing accreditation must come from SAA for STC eligibility. |
| Accreditation class must match your system | GCPV covers rooftop solar; GCBS covers battery storage — confirm the correct class for your installation. |
| Two separate checks required | Verify the SAA accreditation number AND the unrestricted state/territory electrical licence independently. |
| Paperwork is mandatory for STC claims | You need a written compliance statement, certificate of electrical safety, and the installer’s name on the STC claim form. |
| Solarxenergy | Illawarra-based, SAA-accredited, and handles all STC compliance documentation as part of every installation. |
This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from a qualified financial advisor. Consult a qualified financial professional about your own circumstances before acting on anything here.
Table of Contents
- Why does accreditation affect your STC rebate and safety?
- Who issues accreditation now, and which type does your system need?
- How do you check an installer’s accreditation and licence?
- What should you ask installers, and what are the red flags?
- What extra accreditation do battery installations require?
- What can go wrong with a non-accredited installer?
- Solarxenergy handles accreditation, paperwork, and local aftercare
- The most important thing most homeowners skip
- Sources
- FAQ
Why does accreditation affect your STC rebate and safety?
The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) requires that small-scale solar and battery systems be designed and installed by SAA-accredited professionals using CEC-approved components. Miss either requirement and the system fails STC eligibility, meaning you lose the rebate entirely.
Beyond the rebate, accreditation signals something real: SAA requires continuing professional development (CPD) to keep accreditation current. An accredited installer isn’t just ticking a box — they’re maintaining up-to-date knowledge of wiring rules, safety standards, and grid-connection requirements.
For STC claims, the paperwork trail matters as much as the installation itself:
- A certificate of electrical safety or written compliance statement must be completed
- The installer’s name must appear on the STC claim form
- The system must use components from the CEC-approved list
- All work must comply with state, territory, and federal electrical safety rules
The CEC-to-SAA transition also affects older accreditation numbers. After the handover, SAA issued new accreditation numbers. If an installer quotes you a number that looks like an older CEC format, check it through the SAA tool anyway — it will confirm whether that number is still current or has been superseded. For understanding how the rebate scheme works, the link between accreditation and STC eligibility is the core mechanism.
Who issues accreditation now, and which type does your system need?
SAA is the current accreditation scheme operator, approved by the Clean Energy Regulator. The CEC no longer issues or renews installer accreditation for SRES purposes.
Accreditation is classification-specific, which matters more than most homeowners realise. “Solar accredited” is not specific enough. The classes are:
- GCPV (Grid-connected photovoltaic): standard rooftop solar panels
- GCBS (Grid-connected battery storage): home battery systems
- SPS (Stand-alone power systems): off-grid setups
Each class also distinguishes between design-only, install-only, and design-and-install scope. An installer accredited for GCPV design-and-install can design and physically install your rooftop panels. If you’re adding a battery, they also need GCBS accreditation.
To become accredited, installers must provide SAA with proof of identity, their electrical licence number, evidence of relevant training, working-at-heights certification, and public liability insurance. That documentation requirement is why accreditation carries genuine weight — it’s not self-declared.
How do you check an installer’s accreditation and licence?
Follow these steps before you sign any contract:
- Ask for the SAA accreditation number and scope. The installer should tell you their number, the class (GCPV, GCBS, SPS), and whether they’re accredited for design, install, or both.
- Run the number through the SAA status check tool. Search by name or accreditation number. Confirm the status is current and note the expiry date.
- Verify the unrestricted electrical licence separately. Each state and territory has its own electrical licensing regulator. In NSW, that’s Fair Trading; in Victoria, Energy Safe Victoria. Check the installer’s licence number directly with the relevant body.
- Confirm the STC paperwork they’ll provide. The CER requires a written compliance statement, a certificate of electrical safety, and the installer’s name on the STC claim form. Ask for this commitment in writing before you sign.
- Save screenshots or PDFs of both checks. If a dispute arises later, documented pre-contract verification is your strongest protection.
SAA’s technical requirements also include operational limits on how many installations an installer can sign off per day — a practical safeguard that prevents corner-cutting under volume pressure.
Pro Tip: Treat the accreditation check as pre-contract due diligence. STC eligibility depends on accreditation at the time of installation. Retroactive fixes are rare and costly.
What should you ask installers, and what are the red flags?
During any quote, ask directly:
- What is your SAA accreditation number and class?
- What is your unrestricted electrical licence number and which state issued it?
- Do you carry public liability insurance, and can I see the certificate?
- Will you provide a written compliance statement and certificate of electrical safety?
- Are the panels, inverter, and battery on the CEC-approved components list?
Your contract should specify the installation timeline, the exact make and model of every component, a payment schedule tied to STC creation (not just installation completion), and clear warranty terms including who backs them.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Cash-only payment requests
- Vague component specifications (“quality panels” with no brand or model)
- Pressure to sign the same day
- No mention of STC paperwork or compliance certificates
If a retailer is subcontracting the installation, confirm the subcontracted installer’s SAA accreditation number specifically. The subcontractor, not the retailer, must be listed on the STC claim form as the installer. For local approval considerations that can affect your timeline, the strata approval guide for NSW covers what to check before work begins.
What extra accreditation do battery installations require?
Battery installations carry additional requirements beyond standard rooftop solar. The CER states that only trained, accredited, and licensed designers and installers can install solar batteries. If subcontractors are involved, the work must be done under the on-site supervision of an accredited battery installer.
The specific accreditation class for battery work is GCBS. An installer holding only GCPV accreditation cannot sign off on a battery installation for STC purposes.
Key checks for battery installs:
- Confirm GCBS accreditation explicitly — ask for the accreditation number and verify the class through the SAA tool
- Confirm the battery make and model appears on the CEC-approved components list
- Ask for written compliance and safety certification specific to the battery system
- If subcontractors will be on site, ask who holds the GCBS accreditation and confirm they will be physically present
Pro Tip: Ask for references from prior battery installations and verify the GCBS class on the SAA tool yourself. A practical guide to battery installation can help you understand what a compliant install should look like.
What can go wrong with a non-accredited installer?
The financial hit is the most immediate risk. If your installer isn’t SAA-accredited at the time of installation, the system fails STC eligibility and you lose the rebate. That’s a real dollar loss, often thousands, with no straightforward path to recover it.
The safety risks run alongside the financial ones. Non-compliant electrical work can create fire hazards, void your home insurance, and require expensive rectification by a licensed electrician before the system can be used safely.
Manufacturers and insurers also take accreditation seriously. Many panel and inverter warranties are voided if installation wasn’t performed by an accredited professional. The same applies to battery warranties. Beyond that, proving compliance during a council inspection or insurance claim becomes significantly harder without the required paperwork trail.
Solarxenergy handles accreditation, paperwork, and local aftercare
Choosing a locally accredited installer in the Illawarra region means you don’t have to navigate the SAA verification process alone. Solarxenergy is a locally owned solar provider serving Wollongong, Shellharbour, and the broader South Coast, with a 5-star Google rating and a team that handles accreditation checks, STC paperwork, and ongoing support as part of every installation.
Every Solarxenergy installation uses CEC-approved components, is carried out by SAA-accredited professionals holding unrestricted NSW electrical licences, and includes the full compliance documentation your STC claim requires. You get the written compliance statement, the certificate of electrical safety, and the installer’s details on the claim form — handled, not chased.
For homeowners adding batteries, the team holds GCBS accreditation and can walk you through the solar battery options that suit your home and budget. Request a free quote or browse solar packages for Wollongong and Shellharbour to get started with an accreditation-checked proposal.
The most important thing most homeowners skip
Most people check price first and accreditation second, if at all. That order is backwards. The accreditation check takes five minutes on the SAA tool and costs nothing. Losing STC eligibility because an installer’s accreditation had lapsed — or because they held the wrong class for a battery job — costs thousands and can’t be undone after the fact.
The CEC-to-SAA transition has added one layer of confusion: some installers still quote older CEC-format numbers out of habit. Run every number through the SAA tool regardless of format. If it’s current, it will show as current. If it doesn’t appear, that’s your answer.
One more thing homeowners consistently underestimate: the electrical licence check is separate from the accreditation check. SAA accreditation and a state electrical licence are two different credentials from two different bodies. You need to verify both. The SAA tool won’t tell you whether the electrical licence is current — that’s a separate search with your state regulator.
Sources
- Energy
- Check Installer Accreditation Status – Solar Accreditation Australia
- Small-scale renewable energy systems | Clean Energy Regulator
- Rooftop solar installers and designers | Clean Energy Regulator
- Installers | Clean Energy Council
FAQ
What is SAA accreditation and how does it differ from CEC accreditation?
Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) is now the accreditation scheme operator approved by the Clean Energy Regulator. The Clean Energy Council previously held this role but completed the handover to SAA, so new and renewing accreditation is now issued by SAA.
How do I check if my installer’s accreditation is current?
Use the SAA “Check Installer Accreditation Status” tool and search by the installer’s name or accreditation number. It will confirm whether the accreditation is current and show the expiry date.
Does my installer need a different accreditation for a battery system?
Yes. Battery installations require Grid-connected Battery Storage (GCBS) accreditation, which is separate from the GCPV accreditation used for rooftop solar panels. Always confirm the installer holds the correct class for your specific system.
What happens to my STC rebate if my installer wasn’t accredited?
The system fails STC eligibility and you lose the rebate. The Clean Energy Regulator requires accreditation at the time of installation, and there is no retroactive fix if the installer’s accreditation was lapsed or incorrect for the system type.
What paperwork should my installer provide after installation?
Your installer must provide a certificate of electrical safety or written compliance statement, and their name must appear on the STC claim form. These documents are required by the CER for STC eligibility and should be confirmed in writing before you sign a contract.
