How to check a solar installer's credentials in Perth before signing

Perth's solar market includes hundreds of installers — from established local companies with 15-year track records to new entrants, interstate operators, and, occasionally, unlicensed operators. Before signing a solar contract, verifying the installer's credentials takes less than 10 minutes and is worth doing.

Here's what to check and what each credential means.

The Clean Energy Council (CEC) accreditation system

The Clean Energy Council is Australia's peak body for the renewable energy industry. For solar, their accreditation system has two relevant levels:

CEC-accredited installer

An individual who has completed the relevant training and assessment to install solar panels to Australian standards. Every solar installation must be carried out by (or under the supervision of) a CEC-accredited installer.

Why this matters: STC eligibility (the federal rebate that reduces your quote price) requires the system to be installed by a CEC-accredited installer. An unaccredited installation is ineligible for STCs — meaning you lose the $1,200–$1,500+ rebate that should have been applied.

How to verify: At solaraccreditation.com.au, search by installer name or accreditation number. You can verify whether the accreditation is current and whether it covers the system size being installed.

Ask the installer for their CEC accreditation number on the quote. If they can't provide it, that's a red flag.

CEC-approved solar retailer

A separate designation for the company (not just the individual) that meets the CEC's Code of Conduct requirements for retailers. Approved retailers agree to:

• Provide clear contracts with specific required terms
• Not engage in high-pressure sales tactics
• Provide accurate information about products and rebates
• Maintain warranty service capability

Why this matters: The CEC Approved Retailer Program provides stronger consumer protection than dealing with a retailer who only has individual accredited installers. Disputes can be escalated to the CEC's complaint process.

How to verify: Check cec.org.au/consumers/approved-solar-retailers for the current list. Search by state and company name.

Electrical contractor licence

In Western Australia, solar installation involves electrical work. The installer must hold (or employ electricians who hold) a Western Australian Electrical Contractor's Licence, issued by EnergySafety WA.

How to verify: You can search for licences on the EnergySafety WA website. Ask the installer to provide their WA electrical contractor licence number.

A CEC-accredited installer who doesn't hold or isn't covered by a WA electrical contractor licence is operating outside the law for the electrical installation component. This is rare among established companies but can occur with sole traders who have national CEC accreditation but haven't completed WA licencing.

What to look for on the quote

A legitimate solar quote in WA should include:

• Installer's CEC accreditation number (individual installer)
• Company's ABN
• WA electrical contractor licence number (or a statement that all electrical work is performed by a licensed electrician employed by the company)
• Specific panel brand and model number (not just "Tier 1 panels")
• Specific inverter brand and model number
• System size (kWp of panels and kW of inverter — these are different)
• Number of STCs being assigned and the value applied to the quote price
• Warranty terms: product warranty (years), performance warranty (% at year N), workmanship warranty
• Connection to Western Power included in the scope and price

If a quote is missing several of these, ask for them in writing before signing.

Checking the company's reputation

CEC complaint history: The CEC can investigate complaints against Approved Retailers and may revoke approval. If a company is not on the Approved Retailer list despite being a sizeable installer, check why.

Google Reviews: Most Perth solar installers with 50+ installations have Google reviews. Look at the distribution and read negative reviews — particularly those mentioning post-installation service, warranty claims, or company responsiveness when things go wrong.

Product Review (productreview.com.au): A more detailed review platform that often captures warranty and service experiences. Search the company name.

ASIC company search: The ASIC Connect company search (asic.gov.au) lets you check whether the company is registered, when it was registered, and its current status. A company registered in 2023 selling itself as "10 years in Perth solar" is misleading.

Years in business: The WA solar industry has seen installer failures (company liquidation), particularly after boom periods. An installer with 5–10 years of WA trading history has survived market cycles and weather events. Newer companies aren't automatically suspect, but a shorter track record means less evidence of warranty responsiveness.

What to do if you have doubts

If you're uncertain about an installer after checking credentials, you have straightforward options:

1. Get multiple quotes — Three quotes from different installers give you a comparison basis. Significant price outliers (very cheap or very expensive) relative to the other two warrant investigation.

2. Ask the installer directly — "Can you provide your CEC accreditation number and WA electrical contractor licence number?" is a completely standard question. A professional company will answer immediately. An evasive response is meaningful.

3. Check the Clean Energy Council's resources — The CEC's consumer site (cec.org.au/consumers) has guides on what to expect from a legitimate solar quote and how to identify problems.

4. Western Power's installer registry — Solar systems must be notified to and approved by Western Power before connection. A system installed by an unaccredited installer may fail the connection approval, leaving you with panels you can't legally connect to the grid.

Red flags that warrant extra caution

• Door-to-door or cold-call solar sales (high-pressure environment)
• Quote provided without a site visit or roof assessment
• "Tier 1 panels" specified without brand name or model number
• Unusually low price that's more than 20–25% below comparable quotes
• No CEC accreditation number provided despite being asked
• Company is a registered interstate business with no WA physical presence
• Payment terms requiring full payment upfront before installation

Most Perth solar installations go smoothly with reputable installers. The credential check is a 10-minute step that significantly reduces the chance of joining the minority of Perth households who have had poor experiences.

CEC accreditation can be verified at solaraccreditation.com.au. The CEC Approved Retailer list is at cec.org.au. EnergySafety WA licence verification is at wa.gov.au/energysafety. All websites correct as of 2026.