Batteries are the fastest-growing STC category, and they come with a tighter set of requirements than rooftop solar. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which started on 1 July 2025, ties the STC discount to approved products and accredited installers. We cannot list every training unit here because they change, so use this as a map and confirm details with SAA.
What the program requires
- An accredited installer. The person responsible for the install must hold current SAA accreditation that covers batteries.
- A CEC-approved battery. The product must be on the approved list and VPP-capable.
- Usable capacity between 5 and 100 kWh, with up to 50 kWh eligible for STCs.
- One per property. The program allows a single battery per property, new or existing solar.
- STC factor. 6.8 per kWh of usable capacity for 2026 installs, stepping down to 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and 5.2 on 1 July 2027 (the factor now steps every six months to 2030).
What the installer needs to hold
Beyond your electrical licence and general solar accreditation, expect to need battery-specific competencies, and the install has to comply with the relevant standard for battery systems, including AS/NZS 5139. Confirm the current list of training and endorsements on SAA’s site before you quote battery jobs.
Evidence rules
New battery photo and evidence rules came in from 1 March 2026. Photos need to show the battery, the data plate and serial, the location and the compliance details clearly. Our battery submission guide lists the shots and the common gaps.
Where installers slip
- Quoting a battery before confirming the model is approved and VPP-capable.
- Letting accreditation lapse mid-year.
- Thin photo sets on the new evidence rules.
From the desk: check the product list on the day of install, not the day of quote. Approvals and VPP details can change between the two.
Keeping up with changes
Battery rules have moved quickly since the program began, with the evidence changes on 1 March 2026 as one example, and the STC factor stepping down every six months. Subscribe to updates from SAA and the Clean Energy Regulator, and review your process at the start of each year. A habit that was fine in 2025 may not be enough now.
What this means for installers
Treat batteries as a separate competence and a separate compliance routine. The battery STCs pillar and the Cheaper Home Batteries installer guide cover the program in more depth, and what SAA accreditation covers is the foundation.