Hello! I’m Gigi, and my goal is to make home energy simple. When it comes to investing in solar for your Brisbane home, the alphabet soup of acronyms like SAA and CEC can be confusing. You want to know you’re choosing a retailer you can trust, one that meets all the right standards for safety, quality, and government rebates.

I’ve heard the question “how do I find SAA approved solar retailers in Brisbane?” a lot. It’s a great question, but it highlights a common point of confusion that dodgy operators sometimes exploit. So, let’s clear it up together.

What is SAA approval for solar products in Australia?

First things first, let’s tackle what SAA is. SAA stands for Solar Accreditation Australia. As of early 2024, this organisation is the new, official body responsible for accrediting individual solar system designers and installers. This role was previously handled by the Clean Energy Council (CEC).

An SAA accredited installer is an electrician who has undergone specialised training to ensure they can design and install your solar system safely and to Australian standards. This is a critical point: SAA accredits the person doing the work, not the company selling you the system.

So, where do the solar products themselves get approved? That’s still the job of the Clean Energy Council. The CEC maintains a list of approved solar panels and inverters that have been tested and verified to meet Australian standards. To be eligible for the federal government’s solar rebate (known as Small-scale Technology Certificates or STCs), your system must use CEC-approved products and be installed by an SAA-accredited individual.

Gigi’s pro tip: Always ask your solar retailer to confirm in your quote that they use SAA accredited installers and that the specific panels and inverter they are proposing are on the CEC’s approved product lists.

Your guide to finding SAA approved solar retailers in Brisbane

Since SAA accredits individual installers and not the retail company, you won’t find an official list of “SAA Approved Retailers”. Instead, your mission is to find a reputable Brisbane solar retailer that exclusively uses SAA accredited installers for their projects.

A good solar company will be proud of their team’s qualifications and should be upfront about who will be installing your system.

Understanding Clean Energy Council approved solar retailers

You might still see some companies advertising themselves as a “CEC Approved Solar Retailer”. This was a voluntary program run by the Clean Energy Council to recognise solar retailers committed to higher standards of service and consumer protection.

However, this program has been replaced by the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC). A solar retailer that is a signatory to the NETCC has committed to a code of conduct that covers everything from ethical marketing to providing a minimum five-year whole-of-system warranty. Choosing a NETCC Approved Seller provides an excellent layer of protection and peace of mind.

How to find a list of approved solar retailers

While there isn’t a list for SAA-approved retailers, you can find a list of companies who have signed up for the new consumer protection code.

• Find a NETCC Approved Seller: The Clean Energy Council website is the best place to go. They have a searchable list of all retailers who are signatories to the New Energy Tech Consumer Code. This is the most up-to-date mark of a retailer committed to industry best practice.

What’s the difference between SAA Approvals and Clean Energy Council accreditation?

Let’s break it down simply, because it’s the most important takeaway:

• Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA): Accredits the people. This is for individual designers and installers. Their accreditation ensures they have the right skills and training. You need one to get the government rebate.
• Clean Energy Council (CEC): Approves the products. The CEC maintains lists of approved solar panels and inverters that meet Australian standards. They also administer the NETCC program for retailers.
• New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC): This is for the retail company. It’s a voluntary scheme (formerly the CEC Approved Retailer program) that shows a company is committed to consumer protection and best practices.

Think of it like building a house. SAA accredits your licensed builder (the installer), the CEC approves your bricks and timber (the panels and inverter), and being a NETCC signatory is like being a member of the Master Builders Association—a sign of a quality business.

Best solar installers in Brisbane: what do the reviews say?

When you’re looking for a great solar installer in Brisbane, reviews are a fantastic starting point. Don’t just look at the star rating; read what people say about the company’s communication, professionalism, and after-sales support.

Websites like SolarQuotes and ProductReview.com.au offer extensive customer reviews of Brisbane-based solar companies. Some names that frequently appear with positive feedback include MC Solar & Electrical, Optimum Solar Energy, and SolarGain, but it’s crucial to do your own research. Look for reviews that mention a smooth process, neat installation work, and helpfulness in setting up monitoring apps.

Queensland government requirements for solar retailers

The Queensland Government has specific rules to protect consumers. To install a solar PV system in Queensland, a company must:

• Hold a valid electrical contractor licence.
• Use SAA accredited individuals to perform the installation to be eligible for rebates.
• Use CEC approved products that meet Australian Standards.

These are the minimum requirements, so you can see how choosing a NETCC Approved Seller on top of this gives you even greater confidence.

How to check if a solar company is accredited in Australia

Empowering yourself with the tools to check a company’s credentials is the best way to avoid any nasty surprises. Here’s a simple checklist:

• Check the installer: Ask the solar retailer for the name and SAA accreditation number of the individual who will be supervising or carrying out your installation. You can verify this number directly on the SAA website using their public search tool.
• Check the retailer: Visit the New Energy Tech Consumer Code website to see if the retail company you are considering is an Approved Seller.
• Check the products: Your quote should list the exact make and model of the solar panels and inverter. You can cross-reference these against the CEC’s approved product lists, which are also available on their website.

Taking these simple steps gives you complete confidence that you are dealing with a legitimate, quality-focused solar provider.

If you’re ready for a proper quote, I can introduce you to a trusted, SAA-accredited local expert—just fill out the form below. For a quick, personalised estimate of solar costs and savings for your home, you can also try the free solar assistant on this page. It gives you a ballpark in minutes.