Designers and installers must meet certain requirements for their systems to be eligible for small-scale technology certificates (STC).
Do your due diligence
When entering a commercial arrangement, you should do your due diligence and ensure clear contracts are in place. This can prevent contractual disputes and protect your commercial position. Read more about your commercial protections as an installer.
Before installation
You must be accredited and licensed to design or install solar or battery storage systems and claim STCs.
Accreditation
You must be accredited as an installer or designer, or both, by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).
Accredited installers must also hold an unrestricted electrical licence in the state or territory of installation.
An unrestricted electrical licence might not be required where a system:
- is not connected to the grid
- does not involve electrical wiring of alternating current of 50 or more volts and direct current of 120 or more volts.
You must always meet the state and territory requirements in the state or territory of installation.
System components
You must ensure the Clean Energy Council list of approved products includes the PV modules and inverters installed as part of the system. Components must be fully installed and commissioned before their listed expiry date.
You must design the unit in accordance with the requirements of the scheme you're accredited under. This includes:
- all Australian standards
- requirements for local grid connections.
During installation
When installing a system, you must:
- comply with the installation requirements of your accreditation scheme
- comply with all local, state and territory government installation requirements
- use an approved model of inverter
- use an approved PV module
- install the system following the design of the unit
- meet on-site attendance requirements.
On-site attendance
There are requirements that apply to installers being on-site during installation.
You must:
- complete or supervise the installation
- attend the site for:
- job setup
- mid-installation check-up
- testing and commissioning
- take photos of yourself on site.
Make sure you understand the SAA installation requirements.
Photographic evidence
You must have evidence to prove you were on site for the 3 stages of installation. The easiest way is through photos.
Your photos should:
- clearly show your face
- show the 3 stages of installation, for example:
- a letterbox or the front of the property for setup
- racking visible on the roof for mid-installation
- the installed system for testing and commissioning.
- include date and time metadata and geolocation
- match the time and dates of compliance paperwork like certificates and forms.
The evidence metadata needs to match the installation time from start to finish. You need to explain if your installation took more or less time than expected under normal conditions.
You are not allowed to return to the site after installation to take photos or falsify documents to match photos taken after installation.
We may fail an STC claim if your evidence doesn't show the 3 stages of installation.
Multiple installers
There can be multiple installers on an installation if:
- multiple installers are needed throughout
- an installer can't complete the whole installation
- the job is handed over from one installer to another.
Before the installation, you must notify us of:
- details of the installation
- details of each installer
- a rationale for the change of installer.
Each installer must:
- be accredited for the installation type (off grid or on grid)
- have an electrical licence for all installation stages.
Each installer must provide photo evidence of their attendance on site if requested. We need a minimum of 3 photos total, one for each stage. This may be split between 2 installers or one photo each for 3 installers depending on the arrangement. You can submit more if you have them. Registered agents will collect evidence from all installers involved.
We assess the eligibility of each system on a case-by-case basis. This includes cases where providing information wasn't practical or possible before installation.
Complete installations
A system must be complete and capable of producing electricity before you can create STCs for it.
Complete installation requirements:
- correct mounting/connecting of solar panels and required parts
- complete DC wiring between the panels and inverter.
For grid-connected systems, inverters don't need a connection to a meter or main grid to classify as complete.
The testing and commissioning date on the certificate of compliance will prove the capability of producing electricity.
After installation
The installer who completes the testing and commission stage must:
- ensure the installation complies with all relevant standards
- obtain and complete a certificate of electrical safety/compliance
- sign the written compliance statement
- list their name as the installer on the STC claim form.
The installer listed on the STC claim form is responsible for responding to any inspection findings.
The creator of STCs (registered agent or system owner) will get the written compliance statement from you.
Penalties apply if you provide false or misleading information in your statements.
Written compliance statement
The installer and designer must provide a written compliance statement confirming:
- they've met all accredited design and installation requirements
- they've met all local, state and territory requirements
- they have a copy of the design and the system installed met or modified the design to meet the accreditation requirements
- a licensed electrician completed the work and provided their accreditation details
- they've met on-site attendance requirements and provided evidence
- they used approved solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and inverters in the installation.
You can use our example designer and installer written statement as a guide.