It's time to transition to Solar Accreditation Australia, the new accreditation provider for installers & designers.

On 29 February 2024, the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) approved Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) as the new installer and designer accreditation scheme operator (ASO) under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).

Important information for installers & designers

1. Scope of accreditation
   • SAA, effective 29 February 2024, is responsible for the accreditation of electricians who design & install small-scale solar, wind and hydro systems incentivised by the SRES.
   • SAA will also accredit battery installers, effective 29 February 2024
2. Make the switch
   • Simply visit saaustralia.com.au and apply to transfer by 29 May 2024 or before your CEC accreditation expires, whichever is earlier.
3. Accreditation number
   • SAA will issue you with a new accreditation number once you transfer. The new accreditation number will need to be used to claim STCs for all installations from the date you receive your new accreditation number.
   • Your CEC accreditation number should only be used to claim STCs for installations that were completed before receiving your new accreditation number from SAA.
4. Fees and charges:
   • You will pay no fee to transfer you accreditation to SAA and CEC accreditation expiry dates and fees paid will be honoured.
   • Accreditation periods will move from annual to 3-yearly. New terms and conditions are available on saaustralia.com.au.
   • If your CEC accreditation has already expired, you must accredit yourself with SAA to be eligible for STCs. This will attract a fee.
5. Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
   • SAA will recognise Continuous Professional Development (CPD) completed under the CEC’s accreditation scheme.
6. Access to the CEC installer portal
   • You will have access to the CEC installer portal until May 2024, to allow time for you to access any details you may need to transfer your accreditation.
   • The CEC will continue to work with the CER and SAA to ensure they have your most current accreditation history. Please do not make any changes in the portal.
   • myCEC access, offering technical information and support, has been extended until July 2024, free of charge.

How did the CER choose SAA?

The CER undertook a rigorous application and evaluation process to approve SAA as the new accreditation scheme operator.

After operating for over 16 years as an administrator, the CEC chose not to apply to be an accreditation scheme operator and its services have now ceased. The CEC deeply considered how our technical experts can best support the industry amid complex and competing priorities including standards changes and regulatory reforms.

Transitioning out of the role of administering accreditation will now allow the CEC to focus on strong advocacy for the solar industry as well as increased support for installers to ensure they have access to quality training, that they are kept up to date on latest industry developments and that they feel supported to navigate the complex industry standards and requirements.

How is the CEC supporting the transition?

Over the past few months we have worked closely behind the scenes with the CER and SAA to ensure a smooth handover of this function for the benefit of accredited installers, the rooftop solar industry and for consumers.

The next three months is crucial for the accreditation handover and the CEC is committed to continuing its support to industry.

Further information for installers and designers is available on the CER website.

Our reflection

We are proud of the role we have played in building robust installer and accreditation programs, alongside administering the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) program for retailers and product listing program for manufacturers.

The rooftop solar industry in Australia is world-leading and over the past 16 years our CEC team have played a critical role in upholding the regulatory framework to drive industry best practice and improve behaviour to ensure customers are treated fairly and honestly.

Together with the industry, we have been building significant social license with communities as they benefit from power bill savings.

Information shared before decision date

Below is a reminder of some key information the CEC has shared regularly prior to the decision date

• In order to prepare for the transition of accreditation away from the CEC, installers and designers were requested to:
  • Finalise any outstanding compliance activities requested.
  • Update contact details via the CEC Portal Ensure relevant electrical licenses are up-to-date.
  • Once the new provider was announced by the CER, the CEC ceased to have the authority to issue accreditation.
• This means the CEC had to process all applications by the announcement date. If there was an application pending with the CEC we had requested practitioners to respond to CEC requests for further information as soon as possible. Applications that were not finalised before the CER announced their decision were cancelled and those applicants will need to re-apply with SAA. To support a smooth transition to new provider, the CEC had introduced key changes to CEC Accreditation to ensure all applications were processed before the CER’s decision date.
  

CHANGE 1: Cut-off period for applications were introduced and further extended

CHANGE 2: Reduced application fees

• Any provisionally accredited persons with an expiry date between January and April 2024 has had their provisional accreditation extended until April 2024.
• For all upgrade and renewal applications processed between 17 November 2023 and 12 January 2024, the accreditation expiry date has been set to April 2024.
• For all upgrade and renewal applications processed after 12 January 2024, the accreditation expiry date has been set to May 2024.

CHANGE 3: Shorter accreditation period with the CEC and heavily discounted application fees

The CEC ensured installers and designers were able to work through the transition with minimal impact. To support the industry the CEC will offered significantly discounted application fees across multiple scenarios. Here is are the fee changes that was were offered.