How to check a solar company is accredited before you sign

A solar or battery system is a big purchase from a business you’ll rely on for years of warranty support. Most businesses are exactly what they say they are, but the checks are quick, free and official, so they’re worth doing before you pay a deposit.

Do them when you’re down to your last two or three quotes, and again just before you sign: businesses can join or leave the lists at any time.

1. Is the business an Approved Seller?

The New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) is the national code for businesses selling solar panels, batteries, EV chargers and other new energy products to households. Approved Sellers agree to honest sales with no pressure selling, clear quotes with no hidden costs, safe installation and honoured warranties. The Code’s Administrator and its Code Monitoring and Compliance Panel monitor Approved Sellers and act on breaches.

To check, search the business on the Approved Seller list. Use the name on the quote first. If nothing comes up, try the company’s legal name, which is often different from its trading name.

What Approved Seller status means, and what it doesn’t, is covered in our guide to NETCC Approved Sellers.

2. In Victoria: is it authorised by Solar Victoria?

Solar Victoria’s rebates are paid through retailers on its authorised retailer list, which you can filter by solar PV or hot water. To be authorised for solar panel rebates, a retailer must be an Approved Seller and meet Solar Victoria’s other requirements, including:

• no door-to-door or telemarketing sales of rebated systems, including through other companies
• a warranty of at least five years on the whole system, with no upfront cost to you for a successful claim
• installers with current SAA accreditation and an unrestricted electrical licence

Then check Solar Victoria’s list of ineligible retailers. It names businesses that lost their place in the program after Solar Victoria’s investigations or audits, with their ABN and the date.

3. Is the installer accredited?

The business that sells to you and the person who installs your system are checked separately. Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredits the people who design and install solar and battery systems. Ask for your installer’s name or SAA accreditation number before installation day, and look it up on SAA’s accreditation status check. You can search by number, or by first and last name.

For a battery, the installer also needs a battery endorsement, which is one of the Clean Energy Regulator’s conditions for the federal battery discount.

The wiring itself has to be done by a licensed electrician. In Victoria, Energy Safe Victoria’s public registers let you search registered electrical contractors and licensed electrical workers. Other states run their own licence searches.

4. Does the ABN check out?

Look up the ABN on your quote in ABN Lookup. Check that it’s active, not cancelled, and that the business it belongs to is the one you’re dealing with. Many businesses trade under a different name from their company, so a different name isn’t always a problem, but ask about it before you pay anything.

The four checks side by side

What accreditation doesn’t tell you

• Whether the price is fair. Get at least three quotes and compare them line by line, using our questions to ask before you sign.
• Whether the products suit your home. Ask for the brand and model of every panel, inverter and battery. A battery has to be on the Clean Energy Council’s approved list to earn the federal discount.
• How the business treats customers day to day. Accreditation sets a minimum standard. Ask for recent local customers you can talk to, and how the business handles warranty claims.

To see which accredited retailers service your area, search the directory by postcode.

This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rules, rebates and prices change, so check the linked sources before you decide. Facts checked 21 October 2026.