The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) publishes annual compliance and enforcement priorities and a quarterly update against them. The 2025-26 updates give a clear picture of what the regulator is looking at, and what is likely to carry into the next year.
The themes from the 2026 updates
Incomplete solar declared complete. The CER has targeted retailers and installers who claim systems were finished when they were not, and has moved against a retailer over false completion statements. If the written statement says the system is installed and operating, it needs to be true on the date signed.
Fake onsite verification. Installers must show they attended. The regulator has warned installers over fake verification photos and put photo monitoring in place. See geolocation and photo checks.
Battery evidence. Photo rules for batteries tightened from 1 March 2026, and the CER has an AI tool to detect labelling non-compliance. It has also published battery inspection results. The practical guide is in what the CER checks on battery claims.
Fit and proper person. In April to June 2026 the CER reported suspending 21 companies for failing fit and proper person requirements. Those standing apply to registered persons, and to the people who run them. See registered agent suspension.
Scheme changes. The extension of small-scale certificates to mid-scale solar from 1 October 2026 brings new claim types, discussed on mid-scale solar STCs.
Update versus priorities
A priority is a signal about where checks will land. An update reports what the regulator did. If you read only the updates you are always a quarter behind. Read the priorities, then compare them with your own claim data: if you take a lot of battery jobs, the labelling and photo rules deserve your attention first.
What this means for installers
- Audit your own process against each theme above once a quarter.
- Do not sign completion statements ahead of the work.
- Make attendance evidence part of the job, not an afterthought.
- Check your accreditation and registration details are current. Lapsed details cause suspensions that were avoidable.
For how a typical audit unfolds, read how STC audits work and the top claim rejection reasons. Pillar: STC trading. A trader that pre-checks claims, such as the desk described on how it works, reduces your exposure to all of the above.
Reading the signal for your business
If you do mostly retrofit batteries, your exposure is labelling and photo evidence. If you sell as well as install, your exposure is the completion statement and your marketing claims. If you run several crews, your exposure is attendance and supervision. Match the theme to your model and give that one the most attention this quarter.