On 9 September 2026, ABC reported fresh whistleblower claims that some solar and battery installers are rorting the federal rebate scheme through unlicensed workers, forged paperwork and premature rebate claims. All of this happens under a scheme that requires an SAA accredited solar installer for every eligible job.
The peak industry body called for offenders to be named and punished, but noted that only 17 of 530,000 batteries installed across Australia in just over a year are currently under formal compliance investigation.
With so few cases under investigation, checking installer accreditation becomes even more important. Accreditation can affect rebate eligibility, and the Clean Energy Regulator has suspended installers for breaches, including one permanently suspended earlier this year following action in NSW.
What follows is what SAA accreditation actually checks, and how to confirm your installer holds it before signing anything.
What Is SAA Accreditation?
Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) is the independent, not-for-profit organisation responsible for accrediting solar and battery designers and installers under Australia's Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
SAA accreditation applies to a range of solar and battery work, including commercial solar and battery systems. The Clean Energy Regulator appointed SAA as the scheme operator on 29 February 2024.
Under the SAA scheme, accreditation is divided into three technology classes:
- Grid Connected Photovoltaic (GCPV): Solar PV systems connected to the electricity grid
- Grid Connected Battery Storage (GCBS): Battery systems connected to the electricity grid
- Stand-alone Power Systems (SPS): Solar and other renewable energy systems designed to operate independently of the grid
Each class has separate accreditation for design, installation, or both. When choosing an installer, check which accreditation they hold and whether it covers the work they will carry out.
At Guwing Green, our SAA-accredited engineers handle system design based on your property's requirements, from assessing the system through to preparing the final proposal.
Why Did CEC Accreditation Become SAA Accreditation?
In February 2024, the Clean Energy Regulator appointed Solar Accreditation Australia as the new operator of the installer and designer accreditation scheme under the SRES.
After more than 16 years of administering accreditation, the Clean Energy Council chose not to apply to continue running the scheme.
Moving accreditation administration to SAA separated it from the CEC's role as the solar industry's advocacy body. The CEC could focus on industry representation, standards changes and regulatory reform, while SAA took over responsibility for accreditation.
Existing CEC-accredited installers and designers had a three-month transition period to transfer their accreditation to SAA. They needed to complete the transfer by 29 May 2024 to retain accreditation and eligibility for Small-scale Technology Certificates.
If you come across a solar company still using "CEC accredited installer" on its website, that does not automatically mean the installer is unaccredited. The wording may simply be outdated, so check the installer's current SAA accreditation to confirm their credentials.
What SAA Accreditation Actually Covers
SAA accreditation covers specific types of solar and battery work. It details the applicable technical standards alongside the qualifications required for designing and installing system components.
Design Accreditation vs Install Accreditation
Design accreditation applies to system design, while installation accreditation applies to the physical installation. Someone holding Install Only accreditation is not authorised to carry out design work under that scope.
A company can have an installation team working on site while a separately accredited designer prepares the system design elsewhere. SAA's records show which accreditation type and technology class each person holds.
The Standards Behind the Accreditation
Each accreditation exam is built around the Australian Standards that govern that system type. Here's what each exam covers:
| Accreditation Exam | Australian Standards Covered |
|---|---|
| GCPV | AS/NZS 1170.2:2020, AS/NZS 3000:2018, AS/NZS 5033:2021, AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 |
| GCBS | AS/NZS 3000:2018, AS/NZS 5139:2019 |
| SPS | AS/NZS 1170.2:2020, AS/NZS 3000:2018, AS/NZS 5033:2021, AS/NZS 4509.2:2010, AS/NZS 5139:2019 |
Designers and installers must also meet state and territory licensing requirements, on top of the accreditation standards above.
Accreditation Has to Be Maintained
SAA accreditation is not a one-time credential. Holders must complete 100 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points every 12 months, plus any mandatory modules tied to their accreditation type.
CPD content covers standards updates, regulatory changes, and compliance issues identified through SAA's inspection program.
Accreditation status also determines STC eligibility. A system qualifies only when it is designed and installed by appropriately accredited professionals, and the installer meets the licensing rules for their state or territory.
Check the installer's SAA accreditation before signing off on the installation. Accreditation holders must meet ongoing CPD requirements, and an accreditation that has been expired for more than 12 months requires a new application.
How SAA Accreditation Affects Rebates and Compliance
SAA accreditation can affect rebate eligibility and planning requirements for solar and battery installations. Federal and NSW schemes have different requirements, and the accreditation needed can vary between installations.
Federal STCs Require the Right Accreditation
The Australian Government's SRES provides incentives through STCs.
An eligible system must be installed by an appropriately SAA-accredited installer. The installer must also hold any electrical licence required in the state or territory where the work takes place.
Battery installations have additional requirements. In 2026, a battery seeking STCs must have a nominal capacity between 5 and 100 kWh.
It must also appear on the Clean Energy Council's approved battery list and comply with AS/NZS 5139:2019. The installation must be completed by an SAA-accredited installer with battery endorsement.
The good news is, Guwing Green will check all of this before lodging a battery installation, so the STC paperwork is never left for you to chase up.
NSW Battery Incentives Have Separate Requirements
NSW has its own battery incentives under the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS). The PDRS operates separately from the federal SRES, so its eligibility rules are not identical.
Current PDRS rules include several battery activities, with requirements that vary by system and customer type. BESS1 requires an installer listed by Solar Accreditation Australia.
For small and medium businesses, BESS4 applies to batteries above 20 kWh and up to 200 kWh of usable capacity, with the activity beginning on 1 September 2026.
Larger commercial and industrial systems fall under BESS5 when their combined usable capacity exceeds 200 kWh and reaches up to 30,000 kWh.
The Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP) has a different role in the PDRS. ACPs create Peak Reduction Certificates under the scheme. SAA accreditation applies to the individual carrying out specified solar or battery work. One does not replace the other.
If you're weighing up a BESS4 or BESS5 system for your business, our team manages the PDRS paperwork alongside the federal STC process, so you're not chasing two schemes on your own.
NSW's Exempt Development Rules Include SAA Requirements
NSW's exempt development rules set specific conditions for certain battery installations under the Transport and Infrastructure SEPP.
To qualify, a battery system must use a CEC-approved battery, comply with AS/NZS 5139:2019, and be installed by a person accredited by SAA for solar battery installation.
Exempt development applies below a set storage capacity. Larger systems move into the complying development pathway instead, which allows higher capacity but comes with its own planning conditions.
Capacity limits differ by zone and pathway, so confirm the current threshold for your property with your council or the NSW Planning Portal before assuming either pathway applies.
Accreditation Does Not Replace Site-Specific Design
SAA accreditation confirms a person's accreditation for a defined type of work. It does not describe the design prepared for a particular property.
The Australian Government recommends asking for a site-specific design before signing a solar quote.
The design should show where the panels, inverter and battery will be installed. It should also state the expected system output and any network or export limits.
Every property has its own practical constraints. Heritage tiles, copper façades, standing-seam roofs and commercial switchboards with limited space all change what a system can look like.
Our solar projects are engineered around those constraints individually, so the design fits the building instead of following a standard template.
SAA Accreditation vs NETCC Approval
SAA accreditation and NETCC approval serve different purposes.
SAA accreditation applies to individual solar and battery designers and installers. It focuses on technical competence for specific types of renewable energy work.
NETCC approval applies to businesses. The New Energy Tech Consumer Code is a voluntary industry code focused on consumer protections and sales practices. A business does not need NETCC approval to sell a solar or battery system.
A solar retailer may also subcontract the installation. In that case, check the SAA accreditation of the person actually doing the work. The Australian Government confirms accreditation attaches to the individual, not the business that sold the system.
FAQ About SAA Accreditation
Is SAA accreditation the same as holding an electrical licence?
No. SAA accreditation and an electrical licence are separate requirements. SAA accreditation confirms that an individual is qualified for specific solar or battery work under the SRES. In NSW, installers must also meet the state's electrical licensing requirements. For STC eligibility, the Clean Energy Regulator requires installers to hold both the appropriate SAA accreditation and required licence.
What happens if my installer isn't SAA accredited?
The system won't be eligible for federal STCs or NSW PDRS incentives. It may also fall outside NSW's exempt development rules for ground-mounted systems, requiring council approval. Manufacturer warranties can be voided too, since accreditation is commonly a condition of coverage on panels, inverters, and batteries.
Do businesses need an SAA-accredited installer too?
Yes. SAA accreditation applies to eligible solar and battery installations for businesses as well as homes. The Australian Government's SRES provides incentives for eligible business rooftop solar, and the installation must be completed by an SAA-accredited installer.
Is Guwing Green's team SAA accredited?
Yes. Guwing Green's in-house engineers and installers hold active SAA accreditation, alongside NETCC Approved Seller status. Our team manages compliance directly, including checking accreditation, capacity thresholds and planning requirements against your specific system before installation begins.
Is Guwing Green an approved vendor for the Home Energy Saver program?
Yes. Guwing Green is a listed approved vendor under the Home Energy Saver Loan program, delivered through Plenti as one of the NSW Government's official finance partners for the scheme. Eligible NSW households can apply for a zero-interest loan of up to $15,000 to help cover a solar or battery system installed by our SAA-accredited team, with no upfront or monthly fees.
Choosing the Right Accredited Installer
SAA accreditation is not a single checkbox. It can affect federal STC eligibility, NSW's PDRS battery incentives and certain exempt development pathways.
When choosing an SAA accredited solar installer, check their accreditation scope for design, installation, or both, rather than relying on the word "accredited" on a quote.
Our home solar and battery solutions are designed and installed by our own SAA-accredited engineers, with the applicable requirements considered throughout the build.
Request a proposal and we will confirm exactly what applies to your address.
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