The retailer sells the system. The designer and installer prove it was built properly. For STC claims, the Clean Energy Regulator expects a written compliance statement from the accredited designer and installer, and the same principle applies to batteries.
What the statement is for
The scheme relies on accredited people taking responsibility for the work. The statement records, in writing and with a signature, that the design and installation meet the standards and guidelines that apply. It sits alongside the photos and the serial numbers. If an auditor wants to know who was accountable for the system, this document, together with the retailer statement, is the answer.
Solar designer and installer
For rooftop solar the statement addresses design and installation to the relevant Australian Standards for PV systems and the accreditation body’s guidelines. The designer confirms the design suits the site; the installer confirms the installation was done in line with the design and the rules. They provide accreditation numbers, and the work must be done by or directly supervised by accredited people. See attendance requirements.
Battery designer and installer
Batteries have their own accreditation pathway and standards. The battery installer needs the right accreditation, and the installation must meet the relevant standard for battery systems, AS/NZS 5139, among other requirements. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program also requires a CEC-approved, VPP-capable battery and an accredited installer. The battery statement should name the battery model and serial, the installer and designer with accreditation numbers, and confirm compliance. Photo evidence rules for batteries tightened from 1 March 2026; see the battery photo guide and the battery submission guide.
“Installer written statement”: the same thing, said differently
Searches for “installer written statement” are usually about this document. Our short explainer, what an installer written statement is, covers the same idea from the installer’s side. The point to keep is simple: it is the accredited person’s own declaration, and nobody else can make it for them.
Making it useful
- Use the version the Regulator or your trader specifies.
- Include the accreditation number and class, and check it was current on the installation date.
- Match the product details to the serial numbers captured. See serial numbers.
- Keep a copy with the job record. Retention is covered in how long to keep STC records.
From the desk: a statement signed by an installer who was not on site is a false statement. Photos with times and locations will show it, and the consequences land on the individual.
What this means for installers
Build the statement into the job pack so it is completed at handover, not at claim time. If you lodge through a trader, ask what format they accept, and make sure the details agree with the claim. Energy Merchants’ compliance desk checks these documents before lodgement; see how it works and STC trading. For batteries see battery STCs, and the resources hub has more.