Labelling resources available online - View Resources

May 2026

Featured image: A member of Springers Solar installs a battery system in south-east Queensland. Springers claimed the Smart Employer award at Smart Energy in Sydney during May. (Image by Springers Solar).

Complete your mandatory battery modules by 30 June to avoid suspension 

All accredited professionals holding grid-connected battery systems (GCBS) and standalone power systems (SPS) accreditation are required to complete two mandatory battery modules by 30 June 2026.

The mandatory modules (for relevant accreditation classes) are:

• COM001: Parallel Earth & Neutral Connections

• COM002: Fire Barrier Requirements & Habitable Rooms

The deadline is rapidly approaching. Accredited individuals were notified of the requirement by email in late July 2025 and regularly through monthly newsletters.

At the time of releasing the newsletter, around 2,000 accreditees for whom the courses are mandatory, are yet to complete one or both of the modules.

To minimise the potential for individuals to be suspended for non-completion of the modules after 30 June, SAA is implementing a series of reminder emails. Reminders will cease when requirements are met and will not be issued to those who have completed the modules.

Where the mandatory modules are not completed by the due date, individuals will be issued a Show Cause Notice and may have their accreditation suspended.

Update from the Clean Energy Regulator 

We're responsible for administering the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). This includes reviewing small-scale technology certificates (STC) applications and supporting compliance with scheme requirements.

Solar battery inspection results

Our solar battery inspection results highlight areas we’ll prioritise to improve compliance under the SRES.

This month’s focus – Safe isolation and labelling for systems with alternative supply

Installations that include inverters capable of supplying power when the grid is not available, require clear and consistent labelling. This supports safe interaction with the system by indicating that parts of the installation may remain energised under certain conditions.

One of the most common inspection checklist items to be marked as non-compliant is SB & Labelling 16. To avoid failing this checklist item, make sure you’re familiar with AS/NZS 4777.1:2024 Clause 6.8. SAA has also developed an information sheet on SB & Labelling 16.

Example of a compliant sign for SB & Labelling 16.

Under this standard, inverters may operate in multiple modes, including supplying power independently or alongside the grid. In these situations, operating an isolation device may not fully de-energise all conductors, particularly neutral and earth circuits.

Considering additional switchboards and system components 

Battery installations may introduce additional equipment such as gateways or backup devices. Where these include switching or protection components, they form part of the electrical distribution path. In these configurations, they operate like distribution switchboards.

Applying the required warning signage at these locations supports a consistent understanding of system operation and isolation outcomes.

Supporting safe isolation through signage 

To support safe interaction, the standard requires warning signage to be installed at:

• the main switchboard
• any distribution switchboards or gateway between the main switchboard and the inverter connection point.

The signage should communicate:

• an alternative supply is present
• neutral and earth conductors may remain energised
• shutdown procedures should be followed before work is undertaken.

Further learning and support

Solar Accreditation Australia’s Solar Battery Labelling Course (COM004), developed in collaboration with us, includes:

• battery labelling requirements
• compliant vs non-compliant examples
• common non-compliances observed in inspections.

Daily installation limits

The daily installation limits outlined in SAA’s technical requirements still apply.

The installation date is the day you’re on-site to test and commission the system. This will be the date of test on the certificate of electrical safety (CES). The installation date can’t change.

When taking on-site verification photos of the installation, remember:

• your photos must represent the total time on site – make sure to take your final photo when testing the system
• photos must be taken on approved SPV apps or on your phone with location services on and original metadata (don’t use unapproved apps)
• if your SPV app isn’t working, take back-up photos on your phone instead – they must include geolocation and time stamping
• DO NOT return to site at a later date to take selfies or change the installation date on your CES.

Critical labelling

You must take photos of critical labelling on all solar battery installations and provide them as part of your compliance paperwork.

Read our solar battery photo guide to see what photos you need to take and where to find more information about labelling requirements. You can also refer to our solar battery inspection checklist to see the labels that are assessed as part of our inspection program.

If your claim is failed, you can return to site to rectify the labelling issue.

Working with industry

We are committed to working with industry to support safe, high-quality battery installations under the SRES.

Visit the CER website for more information.

Requirements where there are multiple installers for a system

If multiple installers need to complete separate phases of a single installation, the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) must be notified in writing, before the change of installer.

The CER needs to be provided:

• details of the installation
• details of each installer
• the rationale for the change of installer.

Should it not be practical or possible for notification to be provided before the installation, the CER will consider the request and the compliance of the installation on a case-by-case basis at their sole discretion.

The CER can be contacted at DeemedUnits@cer.gov.au.

The multiple installer requirement is outlined in the SAA Technical Requirements and the Rooftop solar installers and designers page  of the CER website.

Industry shines at Smart Energy

Clockwise from top left: SAA’s Thomas Seymour presents at Smart Energy; SAA Director Lliam Ricketts accepts the award for Excellence in Training & Professional Development; and SAA team members catch up with accredited professionals at the SAA booth.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to speak with us at Smart Energy in Sydney during early May. The team answered a range of questions and received both positive and constructive feedback during the two-day event.

SAA Executive Manager Standards and Development, Thomas Seymour, delivered a presentation about recent changes affecting accredited professionals. He also delivered face-to-face training or the mandatory battery modules that need to be completed by all GCBS and SPS accredited professionals before 30 June 2026.

Congratulations to the winners and finalists of the Smart Energy Excellence Awards. SAA Director Lliam Ricketts accepted the Excellence in Training & Professional Development Award for New Energy Training.

This month’s newsletter cover image is from Springers Solar who were presented the Smart Employer Award.

See the full list of winners and runners-up on the Smart Energy Council website. 

NSW emergency backstop mechanism and CER installer portal update

The NSW Government and NSW distribution networks have issued a project update on the roll out of the NSW CER Installer Portal and introduction of the Emergency Backstop Mechanism.

Requirements to use the NSW CER Installer Portal and to install emergency-backstop enabled solar systems will now be introduced in late 2026.

The emergency backstop requirement will become mandatory for new and upgrading solar installations in priority areas first and will be rolled out progressively to the whole of NSW by early 2027.

The 30 June deadline for equipment to be compliant to Standards Australia TS5573 (CSIP-AUS) in NSW is also being reviewed, with a view to extending this deadline to align with the changes to the overall timeline and the CER portal ‘go live’ and rollout.

The latest project update includes links to a range of resources including:

Emergency Backstop Mechanism webpage, NSW CER Installer Portal webpage, CEC eLearning module, short explainer videos.

Want to double your training budget?

Powering Australia is offering to match training investments of up to $30,000 for solar battery installation businesses ready to invest in upskilling their people in battery technologies.

Funding is available on a first come, first served basis until 2027 or until program funds are exhausted, across training in battery systems, safety and emerging technologies.

Applying is easy, visit the Powering Australia website to find out more. 

Got a question? Reach out to: grants@poweringaustralia.com.au

Solar Victoria Notice to Market 2026-27 available

A new Solar Victoria Notice to Market is now available and comes into effect on 1 July 2026.

The Notice to Market provides the solar industry in Victoria with a clear overview of the rules and expectations for participating in the Solar Homes Program.

There are two new mandatory requirements:

• Stronger supervision requirements. Apprentice electricians must be actively supervised in line with Energy Safe Victoria’s Requirements for Effective Supervision of Apprentice Electricians.
• New cyber security standards for eligible products. Solar Homes eligible products are now required to conform to new national cyber security.

For a summary of the updates, see Section 1.2 of the 2026-27 Notice to Market document available for download from Solar Victoria.

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