The solar market has grown quickly, and with it the number of first-time buyers, some of whom have been caught out by high-pressure sales tactics and unclear pricing.
The solar market has grown quickly, and with it the number of first-time buyers, some of whom have been caught out by high-pressure sales tactics and unclear pricing.
Introduced in February 2023, the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) is a national code of conduct designed to protect those buyers and point them to reputable solar energy providers. Here’s exactly what being an NETCC-approved retailer involves, and why it matters when you’re choosing who to buy from.
A Seal of Trust
The NETCC is a consumer-protection code for retailers (“Approved Sellers”) of solar and other new energy technology across Australia. The Clean Energy Council runs the program, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has authorised the code under competition law. At its core, it sets standards for ethical sales, transparent pricing, and quality service, giving buyers a shortcut to identifying providers committed to doing the right thing.
It has become a genuine force in the sector, not just another badge. As of October 2025, more than 2,000 businesses had become NETCC Approved Sellers nationwide, and several state and territory rebate programs now require retailers to hold NETCC approval to take part.
What the NETCC Code Actually Requires
For a certification to hold weight, its obligations must be specific and enforceable. NETCC approval is not a one-off tick. Approved Sellers may be audited, and complaints of non-compliance are investigated. The code holds retailers to standards across the whole customer journey, including:
Honest, No-Pressure Sales
Retailers must be accurate and fair in how they advertise and sell and must not use pressure-selling. They must take extra care with customers who may be vulnerable.
Clear, Itemised Quotes
Quotes must be comprehensive and site-specific, stating expected system performance, an itemised list of inclusions, and a full breakdown of costs, including how any rebates, certificates or incentives have been applied. No hidden fees.
Fair, Written Contracts
The written contract must address every aspect of the quote, set out your rights and obligations, and explain how to make a complaint, including your right to external dispute resolution.
Cooling-Off Rights
Where a sale is unsolicited and you're a residential customer, Australian Consumer Law gives you 10 business days to cancel without penalty, and the code requires that right to be shown prominently on the front page of your contract.
Safe, On-Time Delivery
Installation must meet Australian Standards and be carried out by appropriately qualified people, with clear information on how to activate and use your system.
After-Sales Support
Complaints must be handled promptly, faults fixed, and warranties honoured.
NETCC replaced the Clean Energy Council’s former Approved Solar Retailer (ASR) program on 1 February 2023 and widened its scope beyond solar to cover batteries, EV chargers, and other new energy tech, making it a broader benchmark for the industry.
What It Means for You as a Buyer
For a buyer, the practical value is confidence. Choosing an NETCC-approved retailer means the quote you sign should be clear and itemised, the sales process pressure-free, the contract fair, and support available if something goes wrong. It removes a lot of the guesswork from what is, for most households, a significant investment.
It can also matter for your budget. Some government incentives schemes require retailers to be NETCC-approved, and buying from one can be a prerequisite for accessing certain incentives. If you’re weighing up what you may be entitled to, start with our main guide, then check state-specific programs, like the NSW Home Energy Saver and the QLD solar and battery rebate.
VoltX Energy’s Commitment to NETCC Standards
VoltX Energy is a current NETCC Approved Seller. You can confirm our status yourself in the official NETCC Approved Seller directory and see it alongside our other credentials on our certifications page.
For us, meeting the code is ongoing work, not a one-time badge to simply display. It shows up in clear pricing, systems built to last, and the reviews our customers leave. That same standard underpins our industry awards and the after-sales support you can count on long after your system is switched on.
Ready to Choose a Retailer?
NETCC approval takes much of the risk out of going solar. Before you sign with anyone, confirm they’re a current approved seller and that an accredited installer will carry out the work. VoltX Energy meets the standard, and we handle the details so you don’t have to. Get a free quote today!
Frequently Asked Questions
NETCC stands for the New Energy Tech Consumer Code. It’s a voluntary, national code that sets ground rules for how retailers sell and support clean-energy products—rooftop solar, home batteries, EV chargers, and the like—to protect the people buying them. The Clean Energy Council oversees it and carries ACCC authorisation. A business that signs up and meets the requirements earns the Approved Seller title and a spot in the public directory.
No. NETCC approval is a company-level mark that applies to the retailer you buy from. CEC accreditation—now administered by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA)—is an individual qualification held by the installer or designer who physically installs your system. They cover different parts of the process, and a quality provider generally has both: NETCC approval as a retailer, and accredited installers doing the work. Because approval speaks to the retailer’s conduct rather than the install itself, it’s worth checking both. Our guide to the features of a good home battery system installer talks about this.
Yes. NETCC replaced the Clean Energy Council’s Approved Solar Retailer (ASR) program on 1 February 2023, and expanded its scope beyond solar to cover batteries, EV chargers, and other new energy tech.
Not for the federal rebate specifically. The federal Cheaper Homes Batteries Program requires CEC-approved products installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA)-accredited installer, not NETCC retailer status. Some state schemes do require NETCC, though, so check the rules for the specific incentive you’re claiming.
The program is voluntary, but several government rebate schemes like Victoria’s Solar Homes Program and the WA Residential Battery Scheme do require retailers to be NETCC Approved Sellers to take part. In practice, that makes approval close to essential for retailers operating in those markets.
