The check takes a few minutes, and it is the cheapest compliance step in the whole job. Here is how to do it properly.
Step by step
- Get the exact model from the invoice or datasheet. Not the marketing name. The full model code, including suffixes for capacity, region or inverter pairing.
- Open the Clean Energy Council approved battery list and search by manufacturer, then by model.
- Read the listing, not just the name. Note whether it is a battery alone, a battery with a specified inverter, or an integrated system.
- Match capacity. If the product comes in multiple module counts, confirm the capacity you are installing is the one that is listed and note the usable kWh.
- Record it. Screenshot or save the listing with the date, and file it with the job.
- Check again on the install date. The list changes.
Battery and inverter combinations
Many home batteries need a compatible inverter, either an integrated hybrid inverter or a separate unit. The program looks at the battery system as a whole, and the VPP-capability requirement includes the inverter. If the listing names a specific inverter, that is the pairing you should install. If you want to swap the inverter for another approved model, confirm that the combination is listed rather than assuming.
Firmware
There is no separate “firmware list” to check for the rebate. The practical risk is that a battery may need current firmware or a configured cloud connection to exhibit the VPP capability it is listed for. Follow the manufacturer’s installation and commissioning guide, install the recommended software version, and note the version on the job sheet. If the listing carries conditions, comply with them.
Common traps
- Same brand, different model code (a suffix that denotes another capacity or region).
- A listing that applies to a combination and an installed inverter that is different.
- A product that was on the list when ordered and removed before installation.
- Usable capacity entered from the nominal figure instead of the listed usable one.
What this means for installers
Make the check a gate in your job workflow. When you lodge with us, the compliance desk pre-checks the product, serials and photos before the claim goes in, and the rate on /pricing/ locks when a complete claim is lodged. Our battery submission guide sets out the full checklist, and /start-trading/ is the next step if you want a partner for the settlement side.
What this means for homeowners
You can do the same check from your quote in a few minutes. If the installer cannot give you a model number, that is a problem in itself. The pillar page and our list explainer cover what qualifies.