Solar batteries are now eligible
The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 have been amended to expand eligibility of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) to include solar batteries.
We expect demand for batteries to be high during the roll-out of the program. Consumers can expect that there may be longer than usual wait times for both ordering a new solar battery, or having a new solar battery installed.
Solar battery retailers and registered agents can expect delays in processing STCs while we establish our systems.
We have planned a measured and phased roll-out to make sure only certified products and accredited installers are involved.
Solar battery installers, designers and retailers must meet certain requirements for their systems to be eligible for small-scale technology certificates (STC) under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
Safety and accreditation
Only trained, accredited and licensed designers and installers can install solar batteries.
Battery installations must comply with:
- relevant state and territory laws
- Commonwealth regulations
- electrical safety standards.
Designers and installers must be accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). Accreditation requirements cover design, installation, supervision and system safety for the relevant system type (off-grid, on-grid, solar batteries).
Installations must use products listed by the Clean Energy Council (CEC). If a product does not meet program standards, it may be removed from the approved list.
Supervision of installations
The solar battery must be installed by, or under the supervision of, an accredited battery installer. Supervision must be on site and in accordance with SAA rules.
Each installation must comply with:
- jurisdictional electrical safety regulations
- SAA’s installation and supervision rules.
Installer on-site verification photos (‘selfies’)
As an installer you must:
- take geotagged and time-stamped photos (‘selfies’) at each phase of installation including job setup, mid-installation, testing and commissioning
- take a final ‘completion’ photo that matches the test date on the electrical certificate of compliance (or equivalent).
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.
If installation work (e.g. rough-in) started before 1 July 2025, the installer must:
- take time-stamped attendance photos to confirm work began before the eligibility date
- ensure photos align with the final testing date on the certificate of compliance for eligibility verification.
Maximum daily installations
SAA transitional arrangements from 1 July to 10 August 2025
SAA has published transitional arrangements for systems roughed-in between 6 April to 30 June and considered ‘ready to commission’.
These arrangements will be in place from 1 July to 10 August 2025.
A ‘ready to commission’ system includes either:
- a solar battery roughed-in between 6 April to 30 June
- a solar PV system and a solar battery both roughed-in at one address between 6 April to 30 June (counted as one ready to commission system).
Until 10 August 2025, installers can sign off ONE of the following combinations in a day:
- 2 solar battery installations
- 2 solar PV system installations
- 1 solar PV system installation and 1 solar battery installation
- 1 solar PV system installation and 2 ‘ready to commission’ systems
- 1 solar battery system installation and 2 ‘ready to commission’ systems
- 4 ‘ready to commission’ systems.
Installers must comply with daily installation limits set by SAA to claim STCs.
No more than 2 installations can be claimed in a single day per installer. An installation may include:
- 2 solar batteries
- 2 solar PV systems
- 1 solar PV system and 1 solar battery.
Written statement and documentation
The installer and designer must provide a written compliance statement confirming:
- they've met all accreditation 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 batteries and inverters in the installation.
We encourage you to refer to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Cheaper Home Batteries Program) Regulations 2025 - Federal Register of Legislation to ensure the written compliance statements meet all of the requirements.
You can use our example designer and installer written statement as a guide.
Installers and retailers must also follow:
- consumer law
- program conduct guidelines
- warranty standards
Written statements must be true and correct and not contain false or misleading information. Non-compliance may result in the removal of a product or installer from the program, loss of electrical licence, and civil or criminal prosecution.
Information we collect
We collect information about storage systems installed with small generation units. This information is shared with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), which manages the national Distributed Energy Resources (DER) register. Additionally, it may be shared with distribution network service providers or other electrical and consumer affairs bodies.
The DER register includes information about energy storage systems installed at homes or businesses. It helps improve:
- safety and security of the electricity grid
- grid operation and planning by AEMO
- safety for consumers, line workers and installers
- the quality of battery data published or shared.
Installers must provide accurate information to electricity network service providers, including:
- solar battery type and specifications
- installation location.