The short answer is yes – but the full picture is worth understanding, because the licensing requirements for solar in WA are slightly more layered than for standard electrical work. Knowing what credentials your installer needs to hold, and why those requirements exist, helps you verify that a quote you are considering is coming from someone who can legally and safely complete the job.
What WA Law Requires for Solar Installation
Solar panel installation involves two distinct types of work. The first is the physical mounting of panels on the roof, which in most circumstances does not on its own require an electrical licence. The second is the electrical connection – wiring the panels to an inverter, connecting the inverter to your switchboard, and connecting the system to the grid – which is electrical work and must be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor in WA.
In practice, for residential solar installations, the electrical connection work is the core of the job and it cannot be separated from the panel installation in any meaningful way. The result is that all residential solar installations in WA are effectively required to involve a licensed electrician, and the overall job must be carried out under that licence. A solar company that employs licensed electricians to complete the grid-connect work is operating correctly. One that sends an unqualified installer to do the full job, including the electrical connection, is not.
Clean Energy Council Accreditation and Why It Matters
Separate from the WA electrical licensing framework, the Clean Energy Council operates a national accreditation scheme for solar installers. CEC accreditation is what qualifies an installer to carry out grid-connected solar systems that are eligible for the Small-scale Technology Certificate rebate – the government incentive that reduces the upfront cost of most residential solar installations in Australia.
CEC accreditation requires installers to meet competency standards, complete ongoing training, and agree to the Clean Energy Council’s code of conduct. It is renewable and publicly verifiable through the Clean Energy Council’s online register. For Perth homeowners, the practical reason to care about CEC accreditation is simple: without an accredited installer, your system will not qualify for the STC rebate, and your network operator – Synergy in most of the Perth metro area – may not approve the grid connection.
What Happens When These Requirements Are Not Met
Unlicensed or non-accredited solar installation in WA creates a set of problems that emerge at different points in the system’s life. The most immediate is that the system may not qualify for the STC rebate, which means you have overpaid for the installation relative to what an accredited installer would have cost after the rebate is applied. The grid connection may also be refused, leaving you with a system that cannot export surplus generation or, in some cases, cannot operate at all.
Beyond the upfront issues, unlicensed electrical work on a residential property voids your home insurance for any claims arising from that work. If a fault in the solar installation contributes to a fire or electrical failure years later, and the installation was not carried out by a licensed electrician, the insurance position is significantly compromised. This is not a theoretical risk – it is the kind of situation that solar consumer advocates in Australia document regularly.
What to Check Before Signing a Solar Contract
Verifying an installer’s credentials before signing a contract takes a few minutes and protects a significant investment. Ask for the company’s electrical contractor licence number and the CEC accreditation number of the installer who will carry out your job. Confirm the CEC accreditation is current through the Clean Energy Council’s public register.
For larger systems or battery installations, confirm that the scope of the electrical work – any switchboard upgrades, additional circuits, or metering changes – is included in the quote and will be covered under the same licence. A certificate of electrical compliance should be issued on completion of the installation, confirming the electrical work meets the required standard. If an installer does not mention this documentation, ask for it explicitly before the job starts.
Browse accredited solar installers across Perth on our solar installers page, or explore licensed electricians serving your suburb on our electricians page.
If you run an accredited solar installation business in Perth, you can list your business on Perth Services Directory for free – no commissions, no lead fees, no lock-in. Get in front of homeowners who are doing their homework before they choose an installer.