People search for an “SAA approved product list” because two organisations sit in the middle of the STC process and the names get blurred. They do different jobs.
Who does what
| Question | Organisation | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Is this panel, inverter or battery approved? | Clean Energy Council (CEC) | CEC approved products program lists |
| Is this installer or designer accredited? | Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) | SAA’s register of accredited installers |
| Is this system eligible for STCs and are the certificates valid? | Clean Energy Regulator (CER) | CER registry and scheme rules |
Installer and designer accreditation for work under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme moved from the CEC to SAA in 2024. The CEC kept the approved products program, which lists solar modules, inverters and batteries that meet the relevant Australian standards.
What to check, in order
- Product. Search the exact model on the correct CEC list. See how to check panels and inverters and how to check a battery.
- Installer. Confirm the installer or designer holds current SAA accreditation for the type of work, including battery work where relevant. See the SAA accreditation answer and battery installer accreditation.
- Installation. The job must meet the standards, such as AS/NZS 5033, 4777 and 3000 for solar, and AS/NZS 5139 for batteries, and state electrical requirements.
- Evidence. Photos, serials and paperwork for the claim.
A quick example
A Melbourne installer quotes a heat pump and a solar array on the same job. The panels and the inverter are looked up on the CEC lists; the heat pump is checked against the CER water heater list; and the installer’s SAA accreditation is checked for the solar work. None of those three checks substitutes for another, and each has its own date to confirm.
Why the confusion is costly
If you search for the product on the installer register or the installer on the product list you will find nothing and may conclude a listing is missing. Worse, you may skip one check because you believe you did the other. An approved panel installed by an installer with lapsed accreditation does not create valid STCs, and an accredited installer using an unlisted product has the same problem.
What this means for you
Installers: keep the accreditation number and expiry in your job template, and put the product-list screenshot beside it. Customers: ask your installer for both. If you want a second pair of eyes, our compliance desk checks the paperwork on claims before they are lodged. See how it works, the STC trading overview, pricing and the STC photo requirements.