Transfer to the new accreditation scheme operator

Solar Accreditation Australia (​SAA) was announced as the new accreditation scheme operator (ASO) to administer the accreditation of installers and designers under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) on 29 February 2024.

This change follows a competitive accreditation application round, a key recommendation of the Integrity Review of the Rooftop Solar PV Sector.

Accredited installers and designers must transfer to SAA to maintain their accreditation and remain eligible for small-scale technology certificates (STCs).

We are working closely with SAA and the Clean Energy Council (CEC) to help installers and designers transfer their accreditation.

Transfer to SAA

Every CEC accredited installer and designer will need to transfer to SAA during a legislated 3-month period starting on 29 February and ending 29 May 2024.

 

Complete the application process on SAA's website. You will need to provide your:

• name, address and contact details
• business details including ABN/ACN (as applicable)
• proof of identification (for example, driver's licence)
• current electrical licence number
• current Clean Energy Council (CEC) accreditation number and expiry date
• current picture of yourself (a selfie is acceptable)
• any information on outstanding compliance or rectification works.

Once completed, SAA will confirm your transfer and provide you with a new accreditation number that can be used to claim STCs. Your continuous professional development (CPD) points and compliance records will carry across to SAA.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact sresreforms@cer.gov.au.

How to ensure your accreditation stays current

Your CEC accreditation expiry date will be honoured by SAA. If you are unsure of when your accreditation expires, please contact the CEC.

The CEC's accreditation services ceased on 29 February 2024. To understand what you need to do to maintain accreditation, please see the information below.

You must transfer your accreditation to SAA

• You must apply to transfer your accreditation by close of business 29 May 2024 to remain eligible for STCs. This deadline is legislated and cannot be extended.
• SAA will honour your CEC expiry date.
• There is no fee to transfer your accreditation to SAA.
• You will be issued a new accreditation number once successfully transferred.
  • Use your SAA accreditation number for installations from the date of your transfer.
  • Use your CEC accreditation number for any installations completed before your transfer.

If you have outstanding compliance issues, these will be considered by SAA during your transfer application assessment.

If you have a short CEC accreditation window

If you have a CEC accreditation window of 4 months or less (for example, January to April 2024), SAA will accept CPD points on a pro-rata basis; an accredited person will need to have accrued 25 CPD points within the preceding 3 months to successfully transfer. Accredited persons can continue to access CPD courses throughout the transition.

If you were unable to complete your accreditation renewal with the CEC, you will need to transfer and renew your accreditation with SAA. Accreditation cannot be backdated by SAA.

If your accreditation expires after May 2024

1. Apply to transfer your accreditation to SAA by 29 May 2024.
2. You will receive a new SAA accreditation number upon successful transfer.
3. When your CEC accreditation expires, you will apply to SAA to renew your accreditation.
4. Pay SAA’s accreditation fees to complete the renewal process.

For more information visit SAA's website or email us at sresreforms@cer.gov.au.

You would like to become accredited

You will need to apply directly to SAA to become accredited.

For more information:

• visit SAA's website
• visit the CEC accreditation transition page
• email us at sresreforms@cer.gov.au.

Latest news

• 29 February 2024 – Solar Accreditation Australia ​announced as new accreditation scheme operator
• 29 January 2024 – SRES installer and designer accreditation scheme update
• 15 December 2023 - SRES installer and designer accreditation scheme update
• 21 November 2023 - SRES installer and designer accreditation scheme update
• 24 October 2023 - Expression of interest to join an industry forum now open