About accreditation
The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has recently made significant changes to the accreditation process, impacting all Accredited Installers and Designers.
The CER announced on 29 February 2024 that Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) is the new Accreditation Scheme Operator (ASO). CEC Accredited designers and installers are required to transition to SAA within three months of this announcement. Failure to transition within this period means you will not be accredited and therefore, not be eligible to claim small-scale technology certificates (STCs).
Transition to SAA is free and SAA is now accepting all types of accreditation transfers – GCPV, SPS and GCBS. SAA will honour CEC accreditation expiry dates and fees paid. If your accreditation has expired, you must accredit with SAA and a fee will apply.
SAA is now accepting new applications for Grid Connected PV (GCPV), Stand Alone Power (SPS) and Grid Connect Battery Storage (GCBS) accreditation.
Accreditation requirements, including training units, remain unchanged initially. SAA will acknowledge CPD previously completed under CEC’s Accreditation scheme.
Important documents
Who should get accredited?
Any individual who wishes to design or install Grid Connected PV systems (GCPV), Grid Connected Battery Systems (GCBS) or Stand Alone Power Systems (SPS), must be accredited under the new SAA Scheme in order to be eligible for small-scale technology certificates (STCs).
In addition, many state-based rebate programs require the installer to be an Accredited Person.
Accreditation provides a high level of quality assurance, ensuring appropriately licenced, and skilled persons are accredited. SAA requires accredited persons to continue their training and professional development, ensuring that their knowledge and skills remain current with respect to new technologies, and changes to Standards and Regulations. Learn more about SAA’s CPD scheme.
To learn more about the Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) click here.
Types of accreditation
The first thing to know about accreditation is that there are different types – establish which one best applies to you and the work you want to undertake.
GRID CONNECTED PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS (GCPV)
- Design only
- Install only
- Design and Install
GRID CONNECTED BATTERY SYSTEMS (GCBS)
- Design only
- Install only
- Design and Install
STAND ALONE POWER SYSTEMS (SPS)
- Design only
- Install only
- Design and Install
WIND (small scale) – Design and/or Install
HYDRO (micro/small scale) – Design and/or Install
Solar Accreditation Australia will supply the appropriate logo badges for accredited persons to use in their business as part of the onboarding process to the new scheme.
Batteries
Batteries are not included in the Commonwealth’s SRES Regulatory Scheme. However, given the continued growth in small-scale battery systems, particularly at the household level, SAA will separately apply its Accreditation Scheme to batteries. New applications for battery accreditation (GCBS) are being accepted by SAA. It is important that consumers are able to have confidence that batteries are fit-for-purpose and installed safely by skilled persons. What this means in practice is that a person can apply for accreditation for solar and batteries, but compliance or adherence with the Commonwealth SRES regulator Scheme only relates to solar. SAA will have oversight of battery compliance with relevant Australian Standards and State-based safety regulations.
Fees
There are no fees for transferring your Clean Energy Council (CEC) accreditation to Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). The following fees apply for new applications for accreditation.
Type of accreditation | Fee |
Provisional accreditation | $181.50 |
Upgrade to full accreditation (valid for three years) | $605 |
Renew accreditation (valid for three years) | $759 |
If you have questions, please contact accreditation@saaustralia.com.au.
Accreditation logos
Solar Accreditation Australia will supply the appropriate logo badges for accredited persons to use in their business as part of the onboarding process to the new scheme.