On this page
- 4.1 Solar battery retail business and workforce requirements
- 4.1.1 Solar battery retailers – mandatory retail business requirements
- 4.1.2 Solar battery retailers – recommendations for retail business
- 4.1.3 All solar battery installers – mandatory workforce requirements
- 4.1.4 All solar battery installers – recommendations for workforce
- 4.1.5 All other on-site solar battery workers – mandatory workforce requirements
- 4.1.6 All other on-site solar battery workers – recommendations for workforce
- 4.2 Solar battery system and product requirements
4.1 Solar battery retail business and workforce requirements
The following retail business and workforce requirements apply to solar battery loans. They aim to enhance safety and quality by maintaining rigorous standards and developing a level playing field within the industry.
4.1.1 Solar battery retailers – mandatory retail business requirements
Mandatory: Solar battery retailers must be a signatory to the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) program program administered by the Clean Energy Council (CEC), and maintain the status of NET Approved Seller in order to remain an authorised solar battery retailer under the Solar Homes Program.
Why:
- The NETCC replaces the Approved Solar Retailer Code of Conduct as a set of service standards and consumer protections that build on the previous Code, expanding it to new energy technology beyond solar to batteries, electric vehicle chargers and more.
- The Code requires solar retailers to commit to quality service and stronger consumer protections than Australian Consumer Law and the national small-scale renewable energy certificate (STC) scheme provide for.
- New signatories to the NETCC undergo a stringent application process and are subject to a monitoring, compliance, and sanctions regime.
- Becoming a NET Approved Seller and authorised solar battery retailer highlights a commitment to high standards across sales and marketing, quotes and contracts, delivery and installation, and warranties and support.
- Administered by the CEC, the NETCC was initially approved by the ACCC and is governed by an independent council of industry and consumer bodies including Energy Consumers Australia, Consumer Action Law Centre and Energy Networks Australia. Compliance with and enforcement of the code is undertaken by an independent monitoring and compliance panel.
- More information:
Mandatory: Solar battery retailers must have no prosecutions under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (or equivalent legislation / regulations in other Australian jurisdictions) resulting in a plea of guilty or a finding of guilt in the past three years.
Why:
- Compliance with relevant occupational health and safety acts and regulations protect the health, safety and welfare of employees and other people at work.
- Confirming compliance with relevant occupational health and safety acts and regulations aims to ensure that the health and safety of employees and the public are not put at risk by work activities.
Mandatory: Solar battery retailers must confirm all their workers engaged to install solar battery systems have attained:
- VU23631 Work safely on roofs with renewable energy systems training unit certification if the worker is required to carry out rooftop activities (previously obtained VU22744 Work safely in the solar industry accredited unit of competency is still valid).
- CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry accredited unit of competency (White Card/construction induction card).
See Work safely in the solar industry.
Why:
- System retailers are responsible for ensuring workers are appropriately trained to perform high-risk work.
- Retailers must perform due diligence to ensure all workers meet the regulated and contractual requirements of participating in the Solar Homes Program.
Mandatory: Solar battery retailers must confirm that all their workers engaged to install systems have successfully completed training and/or mentoring as required by Solar Victoria from time to time.
Why:
- Training and mentoring mandated by Solar Victoria is/will be industry validated and customised for the solar industry in consultation with subject matter experts.
- Training and mentoring mandated by Solar Victoria will be available to complete prior to the mandatory completion date set by Solar Victoria.
- Solar Victoria will provide reasonable notice of mandatory training and/or mentoring on its website at Training and workforce development.
Mandatory: Solar battery retailers, or parties acting on behalf of the retailer, must not conduct sales of eligible systems as part of the Solar Homes Program using door-to-door or telemarketing sales techniques.
The ban:
- prohibits ‘cold-call’ telemarketing and door-to-door sales techniques to all types of consumers
- prohibits telemarketing and door-to-door sales to prospective or previous customers from being outsourced to contractors or marketing companies
- only permits marketing or sales calls at the request of the consumer or with their express permission, and only within three months or a timeline specified when the consumer opts into calls, and only in accordance with the New Energy Tech Consumer Code
- permits calls to notify a previous customer of a product default or recall that affects them.
Why:
- This protects consumers, particularly vulnerable cohorts, from persistent, unsolicited or nuisance calls and pressure sales tactics.
- This prevents contacting consumers who are listed on the ’Do Not Call Register’.
- This aligns with the new Victorian Energy Upgrades program marketing ban administered by the Essential Services Commission.
- This prevents reputational harm to the Solar Homes Program by being associated with nuisance telemarketing and door-to-door marketing techniques.
Note: the telemarketing prohibition came into effect under the Solar Homes Program on 1 May 2024 and door-to-door sales prohibition commenced on 1 September 2021 via the Retailer Terms and Conditions (see Instruction issued 30 April 2024).
Mandatory: Solar battery retailers must maintain a record of all eligible solar battery systems installed under the Solar Homes Program. The record shall include the make, model, serial number/s, the time, date, and address of installation, for each system.
The records must be made available to Solar Victoria upon request.
Why:
- To proactively assist manufacturers, regulators, and government bodies in the event of a product safety recall or other related product issue.
- To enable tracking of where products are located for the purpose of end-of-life management.
Mandatory: Solar battery retailers must provide solar battery system customers with a financial performance estimate.
Why:
- Typically, customers purchase solar battery systems to reduce their electricity bills. However, under current Australian Standards, customers are only required to receive an electricity performance estimate with no consideration of estimated cost savings.
- Greater transparency of the financial benefits of installing solar battery systems empowers customers to make informed decisions.
Mandatory: The retailer must ensure that an AS/NZS 5139 compliant labelling kit is provided to the installer for the purpose of commissioning a battery.
Why:
- Correct installation of the supplied product is an obligation of the retailer under contract law/Australian Consumer Law.
- This requirement will support better compliance with AS/NZS 5139.
- Correct battery labelling supports servicing by technicians and emergency services when responding to potential incidents.
- Addresses a gap as battery manufacturers are not currently required to provide AS/NZS 5139 compliant battery labelling kits.
- The retailer is accountable for ensuring a battery labelling kit is provided.
- For battery labelling guidance, see Solar Victoria’s Technical guidance sheet 2.4: Labelling requirements.
Mandatory: Solar battery retailers must comply with the Victorian Government's ban on electronic waste to landfill.
Why:
- The Victorian Government has banned e-waste from landfill in Victoria, effective 1 July 2019. E-waste is growing three times faster than general municipal waste in Australia, and it contains both valuable and hazardous materials that can be recovered when they reach the end of their working life.
- The Waste Management Policy (e-waste) was approved by the Executive Council on 26 June 2018 and gazetted on 28 June 2018. The Victorian Government Gazette e-waste order can be found on pages 1457 to 1463.
- E-waste describes any device which requires an electromagnetic current (including anything with a plug, cord or battery) to operate and includes all solar products at the end of their useful life i.e. panels, inverters and energy storage equipment.
- For more information on managing e-waste, see Managing e-waste.
Mandatory: Solar battery retailers must provide a minimum five year whole-of-system warranty for all eligible systems under the Solar Homes Program (including quality of work).
The warranty commencement date is to be the date the system is handed over to the customer.
Retailers are responsible for ensuring that products are procured and installed so that product warranties are not voided.
The customer must not be required to pay upfront nor incur any expense associated with a successful warranty claim, including:
- parts or materials
- labour
- inspections or tests to investigate, support or prove the claim
- freight, transport, insurances or customs clearances
- removal, installation or re-installation
- disposal
Retailers must also provide the customer with documentation confirming the terms and conditions of the whole-of-system and product warranties, and who to contact in the event of a system or product failure.
The system must be serviced as per the product manufacturer’s requirements to maintain the warranty.
This warranty is in addition to any customer guarantees that apply automatically under the Australian Consumer Law.
Why:
- Solar Victoria is aiming to improve program controls to protect consumers and meet compliance requirements.
- This supports the terms and conditions for retailers to participate in Solar Victoria programs.
- For more information on consumer guarantees and warranties, see the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
4.1.2 Solar battery retailers – recommendations for retail business
Recommended: Solar battery retailers should be registered with Energy Safe Victoria as a Registered Electrical Contractor.
Why:
- Where a solar battery retailer is also a Registered Electrical Contractor the entity is subject to the Electrical Safety Act 1998. Registered Electrical Contractors are obliged to provide Certificates of Electrical Safety to parties for whom electrical work is carried out.
- Registration as a Registered Electrical Contractor places greater responsibility on the retailer to ensure worker and customer safety.
Recommended: The main business location of the solar battery retailer should be listed as “Victoria” according to the Australian Government’s Australian Business Register.
Why:
- A key element of the Solar Homes Program concerns driving job creation with strong local content and industry development to build local supply chains. Prioritising businesses with a main business location of Victoria contributes to achieving this.
Recommended: Solar battery retailers should confirm all their workers engaged to install solar battery systems have attained 22657VIC Working Safely on Rooftop Renewable Energy Systems (previously obtained 22515VIC Course in Working Safely in the Solar Industry is still valid).
See Work safely in the solar industry.
Why:
- Retailers have a responsibility to ensure workers are appropriately trained to perform high-risk work.
- Working Safely on Rooftop Renewable Energy Systems is an accredited training program and provides vocational outcomes for persons wishing to gain the skills and knowledge required for the safe installation of solar PV systems.
- Training content includes VU23631 Work safely on roofs with renewable energy systems (a training unit developed and customised for the solar industry), White Card/construction induction training, first aid and working at heights.
Recommended: Solar battery retailers should confirm all their workers engaged to install solar battery systems have attained CPCCCM2012 (or RIIWHS204) Work Safely at Heights accredited unit of competency.
Why:
- Retailers are responsible for ensuring workers are appropriately trained to perform high-risk work.
- This training sets out the requirements to work safely on construction sites where the work activity involves working above 1.5 metres from ground level and where fall protection measures are required.
- Completion of Work Safely at Heights training is a work health and safety risk control measure.
Recommended: Solar battery retailers should complete training pertaining to whole-of-system design and/or systems thinking.
Why:
- Systems and products are becoming more complex and integrated, and so retailers and installers are required to undertake more upfront design work.
- This supports holistic thinking and futureproofing when designing and installing energy solutions as customers continue to electrify their homes.
Recommended: Solar battery retailers should offer end-of-life management programs, during replacement or disposal, with service provider/s certified to AS/NZS 5377.
Why:
- The Solar Homes Program aims to support Victoria’s emerging circular economy by encouraging best practice approaches and outcomes for solar battery products and materials at the end of their lifecycle.
- AS/NZS 5377 establishes Australia’s best practice benchmark for the collection, storage, transport and treatment of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment.
- Solar Victoria recognises the national stewardship approach underway for PV products and materials at the end of their lifecycle.
- See How to manage end-of-life solar PV.
Recommended: Solar battery retailers should advise customers of the Victorian Energy Compare website and how to utilise the solar saver tool prior to installing a solar battery system.
Why:
- The Victorian Energy Compare website is a Victorian Government initiative that includes a solar savings calculator using NMI (National Metering Identifier) specific data.
- The solar calculator can be used by homeowners to compare the proposed solar PV system to their actual usage and tariff structure.
- Solar Victoria refers customers to the Victorian Energy Compare website to calculate how much money they could save on energy bills by installing solar panels. This includes via our:
- Householder e-newsletter
- Solar Hub including Buyers Guides
- consumer education and customer service activities, including events.
- Victorian Energy Compare and the solar calculator can be accessed at compare.energy.vic.gov.au.
4.1.3 All solar battery installers – mandatory workforce requirements
Mandatory: Solar battery installers must hold installer accreditation for grid connected battery systems under the accreditation scheme offered by the Accreditation Scheme Operator (ASO).
Why:
- Accreditation confirms an individual has undertaken industry specific training relevant to the installation of solar battery systems.
- The accreditation scheme includes continuous professional development requirements and a compliance regime.
Mandatory: Solar battery installers must hold an unrestricted (A Grade) electrical licence issued by Energy Safe Victoria or hold an equivalent Australian interstate electrical licence with mutual recognition by Energy Safe Victoria.
Why:
- In accordance with the Electrical Safety (General) Regulations 2019, complete installation of a grid-connected solar battery system qualifies as prescribed electrical installation work and must therefore be done by a licensed electrician.
Mandatory: Solar battery installers must have no prosecutions under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 and/or the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 (or equivalent legislation/regulations in other Australian jurisdictions) resulting in a plea of guilty or a finding of guilt in the past three years.
Why:
- Compliance with relevant occupational health and safety acts and regulations protect the health, safety and welfare of employees and other people at work.
- Confirming compliance with relevant occupational health and safety acts and regulations aims to ensure that the health and safety of employees and the public are not put at risk by work activities.
Mandatory: Solar battery installers must have attained the CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry accredited unit of competency (White Card/construction induction card).
See Work safely in the solar industry.
Why:
- White Card training sets out requirements for performing safe work practices, identifying risks and satisfying work requirements.
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 state that construction induction training must be undertaken by workers engaged in construction and the installation of electricity services.
- Completion of White Card training is a work health and safety risk control measure.
Mandatory: Solar battery installers must have attained the VU23631 Work safely on roofs with renewable energy systems accredited unit of competency if they carry out rooftop activities as part of the installation (previously obtained VU22744 Work Safely in the Solar industry accredited unit of competency is still valid).
See Work safely in the solar industry.
Why:
- Work safely on roofs with renewable energy systems is a tailored safety training unit which includes customised working at heights, lockout and energisation requirements, identification and reporting on asbestos, etc.
- A sector advisory group identified a skills gap in the solar industry and developed this training unit. The advisory group was led by the Office of the Victorian Skills Commissioner and included representatives from WorkSafe Victoria, Solar Victoria, the Electrical Trades Union, the CEC, the Plumbing Pipes Trades and Employee Union, Master Plumbers, the National Electrical and Communications Association and multiple solar retailers.
- Completion of Work safely on roofs with renewable energy systems is a work health and safety control measure.
Mandatory: Solar battery installers must ensure they and all their on-site workers engaged to install systems have successfully completed training and/or mentoring as required by Solar Victoria from time to time.
Why:
- Training and mentoring mandated by Solar Victoria is/will be industry validated and customised for the solar industry in consultation with subject matter experts.
- Training and mentoring mandated by Solar Victoria will be available to complete prior to the mandatory completion date set by Solar Victoria.
- Solar Victoria will provide reasonable notice of mandatory training and/or technical mentoring on its website at Training and workforce development.
Mandatory: Solar battery system must be installed in compliance with AS/NZS 5139.
Why:
- Battery installations are required to conform to AS/NZS 5139, a standard explicitly relating to the safe installation of modern battery systems.
- Under AS/NZS 5139 suitable physical protection of battery systems is the responsibility of the installer.
- AS/NZS 5139 includes requirements for installing battery systems in locations that a vehicle may access, and installers are advised to exercise caution when assessing such locations.
- Correct battery labelling supports servicing by technicians and emergency services if responding to potential incidents.
- Under AS/NZS 5139 application of battery labels is the responsibility of the installer.
- Installers must also take into consideration the manufacturer’s installation instructions when applying labels.
- To help meet this requirement, see Technical guidance sheet 2.1 Physical protection of battery systems and Technical guidance sheet 2.4 Labelling requirements at battery installation technical guidance sheets.
Mandatory: Where an energy storage solution is installed in a room under the same roof as a residence (e.g. a garage or storeroom), a suitable smoke alarm shall be installed within that room.
The smoke alarm shall comply with AS 3786:2014 or AS 3786:2023, or where the use of the area is likely to result in smoke alarms causing spurious signals, shall comply with AS 1670.1.
It is recommended that wherever practicable to do so, the smoke alarm should be hard wired and be interconnected with other residence smoke alarms or have some secondary alert system within the residence.
Why:
- It is recommended to install a smoke alarm in the same room as an energy storage solution in the battery installation standard AS/NZS 5139.
- Safety is a top priority of the Solar Homes Program, and the installation of a smoke alarm reduces the risk of injury and property damage.
Mandatory: Inverters must be configured to comply with Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP) connection agreements, including the power quality response mode being set to “Australia A”.
Why:
- DNSPs have mandated unified power quality response mode settings, defined by the “Australia A” configuration mode within AS/NZS 4777.2.
- All installations must comply with DNSP connection agreements.
- See guidance on How to correctly configure inverter settings.
Mandatory: The solar battery system must be connected to the internet as part of commissioning where practicable to do so.
In cases where a reliable internet connection is not present, the installer must connect temporarily via a mobile device (i.e. hotspot) during commissioning to register the system.
Why:
- Examples of where it is considered not practicable to connect the eligible system to the internet include:
- there is no reliable connection available (including new builds); or
- it is cost prohibitive to do so.
- Enables retailers and manufacturers to provide software updates to resolve safety and performance issues
- Allows customers to monitor performance of their battery system.
- Examples of where it is considered not practicable to connect the eligible system to the internet include:
4.1.4 All solar battery installers – recommendations for workforce
Recommended: Solar battery installers should attain 22657VIC Working Safely on Rooftop Renewable Energy Systems accredited course (previously obtained 22515VIC Course in Working Safely in the Solar Industry is still valid).
See Work safely in the solar industry.
Why:
- Working Safely on Rooftop Renewable Energy Systems is an accredited training program and provides vocational outcomes for persons wishing to gain the skills and knowledge required for the safe installation of solar PV systems.
- Training content includes VU23631 Work safely on roofs with renewable energy systems (a training unit developed and customised for the solar industry), White Card/construction induction training, first aid and working at heights.
Recommended: Solar battery installers should attain CPCCCM2012 (or RIIWHS204) Work Safely at Heights accredited training unit.
See Work safely in the solar industry.
Why:
- This training sets out the requirements to work safely on construction sites where the work activity involves working above 1.5 metres from ground level and where fall protection measures are required.
- Completion of Work Safely at Heights training is a work health and safety risk control measure.
Recommended: Solar battery installers should complete training pertaining to whole-of-system design and/or systems thinking.
Why:
- Systems and products are becoming more complex and integrated, and so retailers and installers are required to undertake more upfront design work.
- This supports holistic thinking and futureproofing when designing and installing energy solutions as customers continue to electrify their homes.
Recommended: Solar battery installers should complete any training offered by the manufacturer on the specific energy storage solution that is being installed.
Why:
- Installation requirements are specific to individual manufacturers, and warranties may require the installer to have been accredited by the manufacturer in addition to receiving basic battery installation training.
- Specific training increases the competence of installers across the sector and provides greater assurance for the safety of installations.
Recommended: Solar battery installers should offer end-of-life management programs, during replacement or disposal, with service provider/s certified to AS/NZS 5377.
Why:
- The Solar Homes program aims to support Victoria’s emerging circular economy by encouraging best practice approaches and outcomes for solar battery products and materials at the end of their lifecycle.
- AS/NZS 5377 establishes Australia’s best practice benchmark for the collection, storage, transport and treatment of end-of-life electrical and electronic equipment.
- Solar Victoria recognises the national stewardship approach underway for PV products and materials at the end of their lifecycle.
- See How to manage end-of-life solar PV.
Recommended: Solar battery installers should advise customers of the Victorian Energy Compare website and how to utilise the solar saver tool prior to installing a solar battery system.
Why:
- The Victorian Energy Compare website is a Victorian Government initiative that includes a solar savings calculator using NMI (National Metering Identifier) specific data.
- The solar calculator can be used by homeowners to compare the proposed solar PV system to their actual usage and tariff structure.
- Solar Victoria refers customers to the Victorian Energy Compare website to calculate how much money they could save on energy bills by installing solar panels. This includes is our:
- Householder e-newsletter
- Solar Hub including Buyers Guides
- consumer education and customer service activities, including events.
- Victorian Energy Compare and the solar calculator can be accessed at compare.energy.vic.gov.au.
Recommended: Solar battery systems are recommended to be installed in a manner that prevents “Cross Phasing”.
Why:
- Ensuring solar batteries and solar PV systems are on the same phase for multiphase customers improves direct self-consumption.
- Victoria’s net metering arrangement does not require per phase balancing for multiphase customers. A solar PV and solar battery system can be installed on separate phases – with no financial impact to a customer (except where grid export limits are reached).
- Battery cross phasing can result in network unbalance, potentially avoided higher line voltages and unnecessary exacerbation of power qualities in the network.
- Victoria’s net metering arrangement is defined in:
4.1.5 All other on-site solar battery workers – mandatory workforce requirements
Mandatory: On-site solar battery workers must have attained the CPCCWHS1001 Prepare to work safely in the construction industry accredited unit of competency (White Card/construction induction card).
See Work safely in the solar industry.
Why:
- White Card training sets out requirements for performing safe work practices, identifying risks and satisfying work requirements.
- Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2017 state that construction induction training must be undertaken by workers engaged in construction and the installation of electricity services.
- Completion of White Card training is a work health and safety risk control measure.
Mandatory: On-site solar battery workers must have attained the VU23631 Work safely on roofs with renewable energy systems accredited unit of competency if they carry out rooftop activities as part of the installation (previously obtained VU22744 Work Safely in the Solar Industry accredited unit of competency is still valid).
See Work safely in the solar industry.
Why:
- Work safely on roofs with renewable energy systems is a tailored safety training unit which includes customised working at heights, lockout and energisation requirements, identification and reporting on asbestos, etc.
- A sector advisory group identified a skills gap in the solar industry and developed this training unit. The advisory group was led by the Office of the Victorian Skills Commissioner and included representatives from WorkSafe Victoria, Solar Victoria, the Electrical Trades Union, the CEC, the Plumbing Pipes Trades and Employee Union, Master Plumbers, the National Electrical and Communications Association and multiple solar retailers.
- Completion of Work safely on roofs with renewable energy systems is a work health and safety control measure.
Mandatory: On-site solar battery workers engaged to install systems must have successfully completed training and/or mentoring as required by Solar Victoria from time to time.
Why:
- Training and mentoring mandated by Solar Victoria is/will be industry validated and customised for the solar industry in consultation with subject matter experts.
- Training and mentoring mandated by Solar Victoria will be available to complete prior to the mandatory completion date set by Solar Victoria.
- Solar Victoria will provide reasonable notice of mandatory training and/or mentoring on its website at Training and workforce development.
4.1.6 All other on-site solar battery workers – recommendations for workforce
Recommended: On-site solar battery workers should attain 22657VIC Working Safely on Rooftop Renewable Energy Systems accredited course (previously obtained 22515VIC Course in Working Safely in the Solar Industry is still valid)
See Work safely in the solar industry.
Why:
- Working Safely on Rooftop Renewable Energy Systems is an accredited training program and provides vocational outcomes for persons wishing to gain the skills and knowledge required for the safe installation of solar PV systems.
- Training content includes VU23631 Work safely on roofs with renewable energy systems (a training unit developed and customised for the solar industry), White Card/construction induction training, first aid and working at heights.
Recommended: On-site solar battery workers should attain CPCCCM2012 (or RIIWHS204) Work Safely at Heights accredited training unit.
See Work safely in the solar industry.
Why:
- This training sets out the requirements to work safely on construction sites where the work activity involves working above 1.5 metres from ground level and where fall protection measures are required.
- Completion of Work Safely at Heights training is a work health and safety risk control measure.
4.2 Solar battery system and product requirements
The following system and product requirements apply to all solar battery loans. They aim to enhance safety and quality by maintaining rigorous standards and ensuring products are future-fit.
4.2.1 Overall energy storage system – mandatory requirements
Mandatory: Solar Battery Systems must be listed on the Solar Victoria battery product list.
Why:
- Listing on our battery product list confirms that the Solar Battery System meets Solar Victoria’s criteria for safety, quality and technical capabilities.
- The CEC list has been refined by Solar Victoria for Solar Battery Systems that are ‘VPP-capable’, with technical capabilities aligned with AEMO’s NEM VPP Demonstration Program Minimum Capability.
Mandatory: The battery and inverter components of Solar Battery Systems must be listed on the respective Clean Energy Council Approved modules and inverters lists.
Why:
- These listings provide assurance, via certified evidence, that:
- batteries and inverters meet minimum product standards for use in Australia
- batteries comply with the BPG
- inverters comply with AS/NZS 4777.2
- basic warranty documentation is available
- These listings provide assurance, via certified evidence, that:
Mandatory: Batteries must comply with the Australian Best Practice Guide: Battery Storage Equipment – Electrical Safety Requirements.
Why:
- The guide provides consistent and transparent minimum safety criteria for household situations.
- The guide has been developed by industry with input from consumer and electrical safety regulators, energy network operators, private certification bodies, and other independent stakeholder groups and individuals, including the CEC, Smart Energy Council, CSIRO, AI Group and the Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association.
- SA TS 5398 Battery Storage Equipment Electrical Safety Requirements, a national technical specification, is under development and is anticipated to be released mid to late 2025.
Mandatory: Inverter(s) must comply with AS/NZS 4777.2.
Why:
- AS/NZS 4777.2 includes inverter capabilities related to increased grid support features, disturbance ride-through capabilities and test procedure clarity, as well as product requirements for inbuilt DC isolation devices.
- AS/NZS 4777.2 requires that a set of operational instructions are to be provided to view inverter settings in read-only mode for verification. This assists LEIs to verify compliance of installations, including power response mode setting, and supports Solar Victoria’s assurance program.
Mandatory: The following major components of the solar battery system must be compatible with each other in accordance with the manufacturer’s published compatibility statement(s):
- battery
- inverter battery management system
- external measurement devices, gateways and Wi-Fi dongles.
Why:
- CEC requires compatibility statements to be available for download on a publicly accessible English language website.
- Compatibility statements provide assurance that manufacturers have tested equipment for interoperability including allowing firmware updates and monitoring capabilities.
- Declared compatibility provides better outcomes through:
- improved safety via critical safety updates
- efficient energy management and extended battery lifespan
- monitoring and control via provision of real time data
- seamless integration of major components.
Mandatory: The solar battery system must include an open communication protocol that supports:
- remote registration of the system via API (or equivalent) to remote services
- remote monitoring
- remote control
- remote configuration of firmware and operational settings by authorised parties.
Compliance with this requirement can be achieved via direct integration, an external control system or vendor cloud (or equivalent).
Why:
- This supports new products being VPP-capable.
- Open communication protocols support visibility, communication and orchestration for third parties. This could include aggregators, platform providers, DNSPs, etc.
- Systems with open communication protocols may participate in future energy markets and/or flexible connection agreements.
Mandatory: Solar battery systems must incorporate protection to a suitable standard against electronic intrusion and tampering by unauthorised parties.
As a minimum, products, product settings, APIs, and user and system data must be secured using industry standard techniques, including:
- password protection
- restricting administrative privileges
- at-rest and in-transit encryption of data, including data requests and data responses (AES, https, etc.)
- exchanging minimal necessary information
- event logging and diagnostic tools.
Ideally, the industry standard techniques should also include multi-factor authentication, data masking, employing API gateways, rate limiting, and traffic management.
Why:
- This supports products to have minimum level of cybersecurity.
- This supports requirements for small-scale batteries which come into effect from 4 March 2026 under the Cyber Security Act 2024 and Cyber Security (Security Standards for Smart Devices) Rules 2024.
- This aligns with principles contained within the Australian Energy Sector Cyber Security Framework (AESCSF).
Effective from 1 September 2025. As a transitional provision until then, the 2024-25 Notice to Market product warranty requirement remains in place.
Mandatory: Battery system manufacturers must provide a minimum five year product warranty for all eligible battery systems under the Solar Homes Program.
The warranty commencement date is to be the date the system is handed over to the customer.
The warranty must cover all components supplied by the manufacturer, including:
- battery
- inverter
- battery management system
- external measurement devices, gateways and Wi-Fi dongles
The customer must not be required to pay upfront nor incur the following expenses associated with a successful warranty claim:
- parts or materials
- inspections or tests to investigate, support or prove the claim
- freight, transport, insurances or customs clearances
Ideally, the customer should not be required to pay upfront nor incur any expenses associated with a successful warranty claim, including:
- labour
- removal, installation or re-installation
- disposal
The product must be serviced as per the manufacturer’s requirements to maintain the warranty.
This warranty is in addition to any customer guarantees that apply automatically under the Australian Consumer Law.
Why:
- Solar Victoria is aiming to improve program controls to protect consumers and meet compliance requirements.
- This supports the terms and conditions for retailers to participate in Solar Victoria programs.
- For more information on consumer guarantees and warranties, see the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
Mandatory: Battery system manufacturers must provide a minimum performance warranty of 7 years under daily cycling operation (or equivalent level of performance warranty defined using an industry accepted measure such as MWh of aggregate throughput).
The warranty commencement date is to be the date the system is handed over to the customer.
This warranty is in addition to any customer guarantees that apply automatically under the Australian Consumer Law.
Why:
- Solar Victoria is aiming to improve program controls to protect consumers and meet compliance requirements.
- This supports customers to receive high quality products that do not suffer from a significant drop in storage capacity over their lifetime.
- This enables manufacturers to define performance in a manner aligned with their performance testing program.
- For more information on consumer guarantees and warranties, see the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
4.2.2 Solar Battery Systems – recommendations
Recommended: Solar battery system performance should be tested, reported and warranted in conformance with AS 5374.
Why:
- This supports customers to receive high quality products that do not suffer from a significant drop in production over their lifetime.
- It also supports the next steps towards the development of a national product standard for residential battery systems.
Recommended: Solar battery inverters should only have the power quality response mode region settings listed in AS/NZS 4777.2, with “Australia A” listed as the default setting.
A user should also easily be able to view the current setting on the inverter’s digital display or software portal.
Why:
- DNSPs have mandated unified power quality response mode settings, defined by the “Australia A” configuration mode within AS/NZS 4777.2.
- All installations must comply with DNSP connection agreements.
- Removal of old grid settings and having “Australia A” as the default setting reduces the chance that the incorrect setting will be used.
- This supports LEIs to easily check that the correct setting has been selected.
Recommended: End users should be able to view both battery usage and energy consumption via a software solution supplied as part of the installation of the solar battery system.
Why:
- Solar Victoria wants to ensure consumers (and their authorised agents) can freely and easily access data from their meter, locally so that they can optimise their generation and consumption to reduce their bills.
- If consumers can’t access this via their PV or battery inverter app, they can use an ‘In-Home Display’ e.g., Powerpal or Emerald Planet connected to their Smart Meter. Alternatively, consumers can request this data the day after (not live) from their DNSP.
Recommended: Solar battery systems are recommended to have API integration capabilities conforming to IEEE 2030.5 and Common Smart Inverter Profile – Australia (CSIP-AUS), via either direct inverter integration, an external control system or via a vendor cloud - or equivalent.
** Solar Victoria will strongly consider mandating compliance to CSIP-AUS at an appropriate time, in consultation with industry. **
Why:
- An industry adopted communications protocol will help to standardise the interoperability approach. Interoperability is seen as the key enabler to unlock future energy markets through widespread aggregation and orchestration of DER.
- CSIP-AUS previously referred to as the ‘Australian Implementation Guide’ of open communications protocol IEEE 2030.5, was released in September 2021.
- See ARENA Common Smart Inverter Profile.
Recommended: Solar battery systems should be designed and installed to switch over to back-up power mode in the event of a grid outage.
Why:
- During an extended power outage it will provide households with access to basic provision of electricity for a period for selected back-up circuits. Depending on the customer’s need, this could be a single socket outlet for a small load, or larger loads such as heating, cooling and cooking, or full home back-up for a period.
- Depending on the customer’s needs, switching could be automatic or manual.
Recommended: Inverters should be able to supply a single socket outlet in the event of a grid outage where another energy source is available. The supply is limited to the energy source available, such as the connected solar PV array and/or battery.
Why:
- During an extended power outage, it will provide households with access to basic provision of electricity to power and/or charge small devices such as phone batteries and radios.
Updated