The short version is three product tests and two installation tests. The product must be CEC listed, VPP-capable and new. The installation must be by an accredited installer and compliant with the standard.
The battery product list for Cheaper Home Batteries
The list is the Clean Energy Council’s approved battery list. It names the manufacturer and model, and ties the approval to dates. The regulator expects the battery to be on that list on the installation date, the same principle as for panels and inverters; see which date applies. Our existing guide which batteries are eligible covers the broader program rules.
Safety standards
Two layers apply:
- Product: listing depends on independent test evidence, commonly to IEC 62619 for lithium energy storage batteries, plus the CEC’s own requirements.
- Installation: AS/NZS 5139 plus state or territory electrical safety laws. See AS/NZS 5139 battery installation.
Warranty requirement
The regulator does not set a particular warranty length for STCs. What it sets is a lock-in: the battery must remain installed at the premises until after 2030 or the end of the warranty period, whichever is later. A battery with a long warranty therefore carries a longer obligation, which is worth telling the customer. Confirm the current wording on the CER site, as program settings have been revised more than once.
VPP capability
On-grid batteries need to be technically able to take part in a virtual power plant. They do not have to be enrolled in one. See the VPP-ready requirement.
Because program settings have changed several times since 1 July 2025, including the tiering from 1 May 2026 and the evidence rules from 1 March 2026, treat any eligibility summary, including this one, as a starting point. The CEC battery list and the Clean Energy Regulator’s battery page are the sources to confirm against on the day.
What this means for installers
Before you quote, check the model on the CEC battery list and the date. Confirm your SAA accreditation includes the battery endorsement. Photo rules changed from 1 March 2026; see battery photo guide and the battery submission guide. The factor and tiers that set the number of certificates are in the 14, 28 and 50 kWh tiers.
What this means for homeowners
Ask for the model number, check it on the CEC battery list, and ask what the warranty and the lock-in period mean for you if you sell the house. The discount is calculated in the battery STC calculator.
More on the program is at battery STCs. Installers can view buy rates on pricing or start trading.