You can verify most of what matters about a solar installer yourself, for free, before you sign. Check five things: Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accreditation for the people designing and installing your system, the business's NSW electrical contractor licence, whether it is a New Energy Tech Approved Seller, its public liability insurance and its ABN registration. Then ask for the documents that support each one. A legitimate company will provide them without fuss.

Why these checks matter

Each check protects you from a different risk:

• Accreditation is needed for a system to qualify for STCs and for the federal battery discount, so an unaccredited installation can cost you the discount.
• A licence means electrical work is done by people legally permitted to do it, and certified as compliant.
• Approved Seller status shows a commitment to a consumer code covering sales, contracts and complaints, and it is required for NSW Home Energy Saver loans and strata funding.
• Insurance responds to damage or injury caused during the work, so you are not left exposed.
• ABN details confirm the business is real and show exactly who you are contracting with.

Step 1: Check SAA accreditation

Solar Accreditation Australia provides a public search of accredited designers and installers. Ask the company for the name and accreditation number of the person who will design and install your system, not just the company's details, then search the register.

When you find the record, confirm that:

• The accreditation is current, not expired or suspended
• The name matches the person who will actually be on your roof
• The accreditation covers the work being quoted, including battery installation if a battery is included

Many companies use subcontracted crews. That can be perfectly fine, but the accredited person must genuinely design or install your system rather than simply appear on the paperwork. The STC rebate guide explains why accreditation is tied to the discount.

Step 2: Check the NSW electrical licence

In NSW, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, and a business contracting to do electrical work needs a contractor licence. You can search licences through the NSW Government's online licence check. Confirm that the licence is current, that its class covers electrical wiring work, that the holder's name matches the business on your quote, and whether any conditions or disciplinary actions are recorded.

After installation, the electrician must give you a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work. Ask up front who will issue it, and keep it with your system records.

Step 3: Confirm Approved Seller status

New Energy Tech Approved Sellers have signed up to the New Energy Tech Consumer Code, which sets standards for sales practices, contract terms, finance, installation and complaint handling. The code's website lists current Approved Sellers, and each holds a certificate with an expiry date. Search the business name and check the certificate is still valid. Approved Seller status is required if you plan to use NSW Home Energy Saver loans or strata funding, and the solar finance guide covers payment options in more detail.

Step 4: Verify public liability insurance

Ask for a certificate of currency for the company's public liability insurance. It is a short document issued by the insurer, and it should show:

• The insured business name, matching your quote
• The amount of cover
• The period of insurance, including your installation date
• The insured business activity, which should include solar or electrical installation work

If the crew are subcontractors, ask whether they are covered by the company's policy or hold their own. Employers in NSW also need workers compensation insurance, which matters if a worker is injured on your property.

Step 5: Look up the ABN

Search the business on the Australian Government's ABN Lookup. It shows whether the ABN is active and since when, the legal entity name, the business names registered to it and whether it is registered for GST. Compare the entity name with the name on your contract. A trading name that links to a very recently registered entity, or a pattern of cancelled ABNs, is worth asking about before you go further.

Documents to request, in one table

Keep copies with your quote, because you may need them if a problem arises later. Choosing between several well-qualified installers is a separate decision, covered in the installer selection guide.

If something does not match

A mismatch is not always a sign of wrongdoing. A company may trade under a brand name that differs from its legal entity, or a recently renewed accreditation may not yet show in a search. Ask for an explanation in writing and check the record again. What should stop you is a refusal to explain, a licence or accreditation that is expired or suspended, or insurance that has lapsed or does not cover the type of work being quoted. In those cases, do not sign anything or pay a deposit until the issue is resolved, and consider getting another quote.

Next steps

If an existing system on your home was installed by a company you cannot verify, the Electrical Safety Inspection listed in the market ($299, indicative) has a licensed electrician test isolators, earthing, insulation resistance and safety switches, with a written report. For a new system, Blue Energy Solar is a New Energy Tech Approved Seller (certificate valid to 25 August 2027), holds $20 million public liability cover and uses SAA-accredited installers, so you can run every check in this guide before you decide. Request a free assessment from Blue Energy Solar.

Frequently asked questions

Does the salesperson need to be accredited too?

No. SAA accreditation applies to the people who design and install systems, not to sales staff. What matters is that the person designing your system and the person installing it are accredited, and that the business selling it stands behind the contract. If a salesperson prepares the design, ask who checks and approves that design before installation goes ahead.

How often should I recheck these details?

Check once when you receive the quote and again shortly before installation, particularly the insurance certificate, which is usually renewed each year. Accreditation and licences can also lapse or be suspended. If there is a long gap between signing and installation, a quick recheck takes only minutes and confirms nothing has changed since you made your decision.

What if a company is accredited but has poor reviews?

Accreditation, licensing and insurance are minimum requirements, not a measure of service quality. A company can meet all of them and still be slow to respond or difficult to deal with after installation. Read recent reviews for patterns in how problems were handled, and ask the company directly how it manages warranty claims and how quickly it attends faults.