The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) is continuing to monitor the solar and battery industry and is taking action to ensure the integrity of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and to maintain community confidence in it.
CER Chair Tony Chappel said solar and batteries are a critical part of the renewal of Australia's energy system and the transition to a clean energy future. The CER has strict rules and regulations to ensure they are installed safely and meet the required standards.
'Australians can have confidence in the schemes we administer. They are safe, successful and backed by strong regulatory oversight.
‘We remain satisfied that there is no systemic fraud in the SRES, but there are a few bad players, which are being dealt with.
'When we see problems, we act. When the rules are not followed, we take enforcement action.
'We're sending a clear message to the solar industry that we've got zero tolerance for those who are cutting corners.’
With the small-scale solar and battery market continuing to grow, the CER investigates and acts where agents, retailers and installers fail to comply with the rules of the SRES.
The latest regulatory action is outlined in the CER’s compliance update for the July to September 2026 quarter.
During the quarter, a Victorian solar installer was convicted and fined $10,000 for intentionally making false statements in statutory declarations that were used to support the creation of small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Toby Payne claimed he attended solar installations in Melbourne when he was interstate at the time.
Accredited installer Sandeep Laxman Shinde has been declared ineligible to install solar systems or batteries under the SRES for 3 years. A CER investigation found multiple breaches across 24 installations, including failures to meet onsite attendance requirements, failures to provide required electrical safety certificates, and for providing false or misleading installer statements.
Accredited installer Shunqi Sun has been declared ineligible to install solar systems or batteries for 12 months. An investigation into 10 installations found multiple compliance breaches, including failure to meet mandatory electrical standards, and providing false or misleading installer statements.
The CER has permanently suspended Emerging Environmental Group Pty Ltd from participating in the SRES after determining the company no longer met the fit and proper person requirements needed to create renewable energy certificates.
The CER investigates and acts on breaches of the SRES rules and partners with other regulators where issues may involve breaches of consumer law or other regulatory requirements.
For more detail, read the Quarterly Compliance Update July to September 2026.
Contact: media@cer.gov.au or 02 6159 3448