Hello Ballarat — Let’s Talk About Solar Accreditation and What It Really Means

If you’re looking at getting solar in Ballarat or anywhere in regional Victoria, you’ve probably come across a few familiar terms:
“CEC accredited installer”, “CEC approved product”, and maybe even “CEC Approved Retailer.”

They sound impressive — official, even trustworthy. But here’s the truth:

These labels have nothing to do with the quality of the work, the gear, or the service you’ll actually get.

They’re just compliance requirements — like holding a driver’s licence. You need one to be allowed on the road, but it doesn’t mean you’re a good driver. Same goes for solar.

⚠️ Who Handles Accreditation?

Up until early 2024, the Clean Energy Council (CEC) was responsible for accrediting solar installers in Australia. That changed in February 2024, when the process was handed over to Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).

So, if someone still says they’re “CEC accredited,” it’s most likely just out-of-date wording. The new legal authority for accreditation is SAA.

✅ What Installer Accreditation Actually Means

To install solar and offer STC rebates (the government’s solar credit scheme), the installer must:

Be accredited through SAA
Follow current Australian standards
Keep up to date with training and compliance

This is required by law — in Ballarat, Melbourne, Mildura, everywhere. No accreditation = no legal install and no rebates.

❌ What Installer Accreditation Doesn’t Mean

Having accreditation does not mean:

The installer is experienced
The system will be designed well
The company does high-quality work
The business is even accredited at all (it applies to individuals only)

It’s just permission to operate — not a sign of excellence.

🔌 What “CEC Approved Product” Means

The CEC still manages the list of solar products eligible for STC rebates. This includes:

Panels
Inverters
Batteries

To get on that list, manufacturers must show that their products meet the relevant Australian safety and compliance standards. If they pass, they can be used in rebate-eligible systems.

❌ What “CEC Approved Product” Doesn’t Mean

It doesn’t mean:

The product is high performance
It’s long-lasting or reliable
The warranty is well supported
It’s suitable for your climate or property (like Ballarat winters or off-grid setups)

Approval just confirms it meets the minimum standards for rebates. It’s not a quality rating.

🏷️ What About “CEC Approved Retailers” or “NET Approved Sellers”?

This one causes even more confusion. In Victoria, if a business wants to offer customers the Solar Victoria rebate, it must be a NET Approved Seller — previously known as a CEC Approved Retailer.

It’s not a special honour. It’s a mandatory box to tick to access the rebate program. That’s it.

It doesn’t say anything about how good the company is. It just means they’ve signed a code of conduct and paid the required fees to stay listed.

📌 Quick Recap

Installer Accreditation (SAA)
✔ Means: They’re legally allowed to install solar and access STCs
✘ Doesn’t mean: They’re skilled or experienced

CEC Approved Product
✔ Means: The product meets the rebate eligibility standard
✘ Doesn’t mean: It’s reliable or high quality

CEC Approved Retailer / NET Approved Seller
✔ Means: They’re allowed to offer the VIC Solar Rebate
✘ Doesn’t mean: The company is better than others who aren’t in the rebate scheme