The Clean Energy Regulator does not rely on paperwork alone. It runs a program of physical inspections on small-scale solar and, more recently, battery installations, and publishes results from time to time. For installers, an inspection is the point where the job is checked against what was claimed.
What an inspection looks at
Inspectors generally check four things:
- Existence. Is the system actually there, at the address on the claim?
- Match. Do the panels, inverter and battery models and serial numbers match what was lodged?
- Installation quality. Is it mounted and wired in line with the relevant standards and manufacturer instructions?
- Safety. Are there electrical or structural hazards?
For batteries, inspectors look at the product listing, VPP capability, installer accreditation and standards such as AS/NZS 5139, in addition to the photo evidence. See what CER checks on battery claims.
How it is arranged
Inspections are typically arranged through the owner, and the installer may be told about it afterwards or asked to provide information. You are not always on site. This is why the photos and job records at install matter, because they are the only record of what you did on the day.
What a fail looks like
A fail is not one thing. Some defects are minor and can be rectified. Others are serious: a system that is not there, equipment that does not match, or a safety risk. Possible consequences include:
- STCs being invalidated, which then triggers the question of who repays; see who pays when STCs are taken back
- a requirement to rectify the work at your cost
- referral to the state electrical safety regulator
- referral to the Clean Energy Council about accreditation
- further review of your other claims, especially if the defect looks like a pattern
What this means for installers
Treat every job as if it will be inspected. That means:
- Follow the install standards and keep the evidence of compliance.
- Take the full photo set at the time, with the photo requirements as the checklist.
- Record serial numbers accurately.
- Make sure you attend or supervise as required; see installer attendance requirements.
- Fix problems promptly if a customer reports one.
For what happens to the paperwork side, see what to expect from an audit letter and the guide to how STC audits work. Our how it works page describes the pre-lodgement checks, and the STC trading overview has the market context.