Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001

For the purposes of subsection 23A(1A) of the Act, additional certificates to which subregulation 19D(4) applies cannot be created in relation to a small generation unit that is a battery connected (solar PV) small generation unit unless the conditions in this regulation are satisfied in relation to the unit and its installation.

See regulation 3C for the definition of battery connected (solar PV) small generation unit.

Either of the following applies:

if the battery for the small generation unit is installed at the same time as the unit—the conditions mentioned in regulation 20AC are satisfied in relation to the small generation unit and its installation;

if the battery for the small generation unit is installed after the small generation unit is installed:

the condition mentioned in subregulation 20AC(4) is satisfied in relation to the small generation unit and its installation; and

the conditions mentioned in subregulations 20AC(4A) and (4B) (if applicable) are satisfied in relation to the small generation unit and its installation; and

any inverter used in the installation of the small generation unit meets the requirement of subregulation (17).

The battery for the small generation unit must have a total nominal capacity of at least 5kWh and no more than 100kWh.

See subregulation 3(1) for the definitions of battery and nominal capacity.

A battery for a battery connected (solar PV) small generation unit consists of a group of 3 battery modules connected to operate as a single battery. The nominal capacity for each of those modules is 25kWh. The total nominal capacity for the battery is 75kWh.

The battery for the small generation unit must be included on the list of approved batteries (as existing from time to time) that is published by the person to whom regulation 20AE applies.

The list of approved batteries could in 2025 be viewed on the Clean Energy Council’s website (https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au).

If the small generation unit is connected (directly or indirectly) to a grid—the battery and the inverter used in the installation of the battery must be capable of connecting (directly or indirectly) to external entities in a manner that would enable the battery and that inverter to respond to remote signals.

The person or persons who design or install the battery for the small generation unit:

are accredited under an accreditation scheme mentioned in paragraph 20AC(2)(a) or (b) (whichever is applicable); and

are not covered by a declaration in effect under regulation 20AG or 47 on:

if the installation of the battery was completed in a single day—that day; or

in any other case—the day the installation began; and

were on site to install, or supervise the installation of, the battery in accordance with the accreditation scheme under which the person is accredited.

Regulation 20AD has been complied with in relation to the battery for the small generation unit.

If the installation of the battery for the small generation unit uses an inverter, the inverter:

complies with regulation 20AD; and

meets the requirements mentioned in paragraphs 20AC(9)(a) to (d).

The electrical wiring associated with the installation of the battery for the small generation unit was undertaken by an electrical worker holding an unrestricted license for electrical work issued by the State or Territory authority for the place where the battery was installed.

Subregulation (9) does not apply to electrical wiring if:

the battery connected (solar PV) small generation unit is not connected to the grid; and

the wiring does not involve alternating current of 50 or more volts; and

the wiring does not involve direct current of 120 or more volts; and

before any certificates to which subregulation 19D(4) applies are created for the small generation unit, the person who is entitled to create the certificates for the unit obtains a written statement by the installer of the battery that:

the unit is not grid‑connected; and

an electrical worker holding an unrestricted license for electrical work issued by the State or Territory authority for the place where the battery was installed undertook all wiring of the battery that involves alternating current of 50 or more volts; or direct current of 120 or more volts.

All local and State or Territory government requirements have been met for the installation of the battery for the small generation unit.

The person who is entitled to create the certificates for the small generation unit has obtained:

a written statement by the designer of the battery (or, if the installer of the battery is accredited for the design of the battery, the installer of the battery) stating:

the name of the designer of the battery; and

the accreditation scheme type or classification, and accreditation number, of the designer of the battery; and

that the designer complied with all relevant requirements of the accreditation scheme for the design of the battery; and

a written statement by the installer of the battery stating:

the name of the installer of the battery; and

the accreditation scheme type or classification, and accreditation number, of the installer of the battery; and

that the installer complied with all relevant requirements of the accreditation scheme for the installation of the battery; and

a written statement by the installer of the battery that all local and State or Territory government requirements have been met for the installation of the battery; and

a copy of any documentation required, by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the battery was installed, to be provided to the owner of the battery certifying that the electrical installation of the battery complies with laws relating to safety and technical standards; and

a written statement by the installer of the battery stating:

that the installer has a copy of the design of the battery; and

if the design was not modified during the installation of the battery—that the battery was installed, in all material respects, in accordance with the design; and

if the design was modified during the installation of the battery—that the modifications were consistent with all relevant requirements of the accreditation scheme for the design of the battery, and that the battery was installed, in all material respects, in accordance with the modified design; and

that the battery will perform consistently with the design or modified design (as applicable); and

if the installation of the battery uses an inverter:

a written statement by the installer of the battery that the model of inverter used in the installation, when the battery was installed, meets the requirements mentioned in paragraphs 20AC(9)(a) to (d); and

if the battery connected (solar PV) small generation unit is connected (directly or indirectly) to the grid—a written statement by the installer of the battery that, at the time the battery is installed, the model of inverter used in the installation of the battery complied with Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4777.2:2020, Grid connection of energy systems via inverters, Part 2: Inverter requirements, published jointly by, or on behalf of, Standards Australia and Standards New Zealand (as existing from time to time); and

if the battery for the small generation unit is installed after the small generation unit is installed—a written statement by the installer of the battery that:

the condition mentioned in subregulation 20AC(4) is satisfied in relation to the small generation unit and its installation; and

the conditions mentioned in subregulations 20AC(4A) and (4B) (if applicable) are satisfied in relation to the small generation unit and its installation; and

the model of inverter used in the installation of the unit meets the requirement of subregulation (17); and

all of the following:

a written statement by the installer of the battery that the model of the battery used in the installation meets the requirements of subregulation (16) as at the time the battery is installed;

a written statement by the installer of the battery that the installer was on site as mentioned in paragraph (6)(c);

evidence from the installer of the battery that the installer was on site as mentioned in paragraph (6)(c);

if the battery connected (solar PV) small generation unit is connected (directly or indirectly) to the grid—a written statement by the installer of the battery that the battery, and the inverter used in the installation of the battery, is capable of connecting (directly or indirectly) to external entities in a manner that would enable the battery and that inverter to respond to remote signals.

The person who is entitled to create the certificates for the small generation unit has obtained a written statement by the person (the battery retailer) who sold the battery to the owner of the battery stating the following:

the name of the installer of the battery;

whether or not the installer is an employee or a subcontractor of the battery retailer;

both:

that the battery will perform in accordance with the contract (or the quote accepted) for the sale of the battery to the owner of the battery, except to the extent that that performance is prevented by circumstances outside the battery retailer’s control; and

that the battery retailer reasonably believes that the battery will remain installed at the premises until after the end of 2030, or the duration of the warranty period, whichever is the later;

that the battery is:

complete; and

storing and delivering electricity, or capable of storing and delivering electricity, for the unit;

if the small generation unit is connected to the grid—that:

the small generation unit is connected to the grid; or

the battery retailer has completed the battery retailer’s obligations under the contract (or the quote accepted) relating to the connection of the small generation unit to the grid;

that the battery retailer has provided information in writing to the owner of the battery about the feed in tariffs and export limits for the small generation unit;

that the battery retailer has provided information in writing to the owner of the battery about one or more of the following for the unit after the battery is installed:

the expected payback period;

the expected energy benefits;

the expected cost savings;

that the battery retailer has provided information in writing to the owner of the battery about:

the appropriate size of the battery relative to the size of the solar (photovoltaic) module; and

the appropriate size of the inverter used in the installation of the battery and the solar (photovoltaic) module; and

the current and expected electricity needs of the premises at which the small generation unit is installed; and

whether any additional equipment, software applications or other technology would be required to enable the owner of the battery to participate in a virtual power plant; and

the expected performance of the battery within the warranty period and in accordance with the conditions of the warranty; and

if the battery retailer, or responsible person for the battery, is covered by a registered modern slavery statement within the meaning of the Modern Slavery Act 2018—how the owner of the battery may access the statement;

that the information provided as mentioned in paragraphs (f) to (h) is true, correct and complete;

that any actual or potential conflicts of interest of the battery retailer relating to the sale or installation of the battery, or the creation of certificates for the small generation unit, including any conflicts of interest in relation to persons or entities related to the battery or the small generation unit, have been:

disclosed to the owner of the battery; and

managed appropriately;

that a declaration under regulation 20AH is not in effect in relation to the battery retailer on the day the statement is given.

In relation to subparagraph (h)(vi), the Modern Slavery Statements Register could in 2025 be viewed on the Attorney‑General’s Department’s website (https://www.ag.gov.au).

Each statement obtained for the purposes of subregulation (12) or (13) includes a statement that the information in the statement is true, correct and complete.

None of the documents, statements or evidence obtained for the purposes of subregulation (12) or (13) contain information that:

is false or misleading in a material particular; or

omits a matter or thing without which the information is misleading in a material particular.

See also section 24B of the Act (which relates to civil penalties for giving false or misleading information in relation to the installation of small generation units that results in the improper creation of certificates in relation to the units).

For the purposes of the statement referred to in subparagraph (12)(h)(i), a model of a battery meets the requirements of this subregulation at a particular time if, at that time:

the model is included in the list of approved batteries (as existing from time to time) that is published by the person to whom regulation 20AE applies; and

a declaration under regulation 20AF is not in effect in relation to the model; and

a recall notice has not been issued for the model under subsection 122(1) of the Australian Consumer Law (compulsory recall of consumer goods); and

section 128 of the Australian Consumer Law (voluntary recall of consumer goods) does not apply in relation to the model.

The list of approved batteries could in 2025 be viewed on the Clean Energy Council’s website (https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au). Requirements for approval include compliance with relevant standards.

The reference to the Australian Consumer Law is a reference to Schedule 2 to the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 as it applies as a law of the Commonwealth, States and Territories: see section 140K of that Act and corresponding provisions of Acts of States and Territories applying that Schedule.

For the purposes of subparagraph (2)(b)(ii), the requirements are that, as at the time the battery is installed, the inverter used in the installation of the small generation unit:

is not a model of inverter declared ineligible under regulation 20AF; and

either:

is included in the list of approved inverters (as existing from time to time) that is published by the person to whom regulation 20AE applies); or

is no longer included in the list of approved inverters mentioned in subparagraph (i) for a reason other than because there was a safety risk to a person or property from the use of the model of inverter in the installation of small generation units.

The list of approved inverters could in 2025 be viewed on the Clean Energy Council’s website (https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au).