By Jeremy, Founder of Australian Battery Quotes
Quick Answer: A CEC accredited battery installer is industry shorthand for an installer qualified to fit solar battery systems in line with national safety and design standards, and eligible to claim the federal rebate on your behalf. Since 2024, the body that actually issues this accreditation is Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA), not the Clean Energy Council, though the CEC still sets training and approved product standards behind it.
Introduction
If you have been asked to check whether your installer is a CEC accredited battery installer, you are asking the right question, just with slightly out of date terminology. For years, the Clean Energy Council (CEC) directly accredited the individuals who design and install solar and battery systems in Australia, and “CEC accredited” became the standard way homeowners checked an installer was properly qualified. That changed in 2024. The Clean Energy Regulator appointed Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) as the new accreditation body, and the CEC stopped issuing installer accreditations. Most homeowners, and plenty of installers, still say “CEC accredited” out of habit. This guide explains what the term actually means today, why the accreditation still matters for your rebate eligibility, and what to check before you sign anything.
Why “CEC Accredited” Changed to SAA
In February 2024, the Clean Energy Regulator named Solar Accreditation Australia as the scheme operator responsible for accrediting solar and battery installers and designers. Existing CEC accreditation numbers rolled over into new SAA accreditation numbers during a transition period, and by mid 2024 SAA was the only body issuing new or renewed accreditations. The Clean Energy Council did not disappear from the industry. It still runs training courses, awards CPD points that count toward SAA accreditation renewal, and maintains the list of approved solar and battery products used to determine rebate eligibility. So when someone says “CEC accredited” today, they usually mean an installer who holds current SAA accreditation and whose products appear on the CEC approved list, which is the combination that actually matters for your rebate and your safety.
What the Accreditation Actually Covers
Accreditation is issued to individuals, not companies, and it is specific to the type of work being done.
| Accreditation type | What it allows | Why it matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Grid connected solar PV | Design and install rooftop solar systems | Required for STC rebate eligibility on solar |
| Battery storage endorsement | Design and install battery systems alongside solar | Required for Cheaper Home Batteries Program eligibility |
| Standalone or off grid | Design and install systems not connected to the grid | Relevant for rural or backup only setups |
An installer can hold general solar accreditation without the battery storage endorsement, so it is worth confirming the specific endorsement rather than assuming a solar accreditation covers battery work automatically.
Why This Still Matters for Your Rebate
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program requires your battery to be designed and installed by an appropriately accredited installer using CEC approved equipment. If either condition is not met, the rebate can be refused or clawed back after installation, which is a costly problem to discover after the fact. Checking accreditation before you sign a contract is one of the few genuinely protective steps a homeowner can take, alongside checking insurance and reading the warranty terms closely.
How to Check an Installer’s Accreditation
You can verify an individual installer’s current accreditation status directly through the Solar Accreditation Australia public register, searching by the installer’s name or accreditation number, which any legitimate installer should be able to provide without hesitation. It is worth checking this yourself rather than relying on a company’s website claims, since accreditation is personal to the installer, not the business, and staff change. Pair this with a quick check that the specific battery model quoted appears on the current CEC approved products list, since both the installer and the product need to qualify for rebate eligibility.
What ABQ Checks Before an Installer Joins Our Network
Every installer in the Australian Battery Quotes network is checked against current accreditation records before we accept them, and we periodically recheck as accreditations renew. This is one part of a broader vetting process alongside insurance and licensing checks, and it is why we can connect you with up to three matched installers without you needing to run these checks yourself for every quote. Our comparison service remains free and no obligation. We do not charge homeowners, and you are never required to proceed with any installer we introduce you to.
Get Matched with Vetted Installers
Rather than manually checking accreditation for every installer you contact, you can submit your details through Australian Battery Quotes and get matched with up to three installers we have already checked. If you are still working out what size system you need before you start comparing quotes, our battery calculator is a useful starting point, and our battery buying guide walks through the rest of the decision from sizing through to signing a contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a CEC accredited installer the same as an SAA accredited installer?
In practice, yes. SAA is the body currently issuing the accreditation that used to come from the CEC, so an installer accredited today by SAA is doing the same job a “CEC accredited” installer did before 2024. Many people still use the older term out of habit.
Does the Clean Energy Council still do anything for battery installers?
Yes. The CEC still runs CPD eligible training courses that count toward SAA accreditation renewal, and it maintains the approved products list that determines which solar and battery equipment is eligible for government rebates.
What happens if my installer is not accredited?
Your system may not be eligible for the federal rebate, and any safety or workmanship issues could be harder to resolve through formal channels. It is worth confirming accreditation and insurance before signing a contract, not after.
Can I check an installer’s accreditation myself?
Yes. Solar Accreditation Australia maintains a public register you can search by installer name or accreditation number. A legitimate installer should be able to give you this number without hesitation.
Does ABQ only work with accredited installers?
Every installer in our network is checked against current accreditation records before joining, as part of our broader vetting process. You can read more in our FAQs.
Conclusion
“CEC accredited” is still the phrase most Australians search for, but the accreditation itself has been issued by Solar Accreditation Australia since 2024, with the CEC now focused on training and approved products behind the scenes. What has not changed is why it matters: an accredited installer is a requirement for rebate eligibility and a genuine safeguard on quality and safety. If you would rather skip the manual checking, get up to three free quotes from installers we have already vetted through Australian Battery Quotes.