McKercher / News & perspectives
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58records in six months
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Tesla adds rear wire entry for stacked Powerwall installations
Tesla's September installer newsletter points to a new rear-entry route for stacked Powerwall 3 and Expansion installations. The supply wiring can be concealed, while the Expansion harness requirements remain.
Read the recordBulletins
No STCs for a Powerwall 2 recall replacement
A Powerwall 3 fitted to replace a recalled Powerwall 2 cannot claim small-scale technology certificates. Tesla has also made the Powerwall 3AC its default replacement unit.
SAA adds two mandatory switchboard modules, due 1 June 2027
Every SAA accreditee must complete two new switchboard modules by 1 June 2027. The modules are free and release in the CPD Hub in October and November 2026.
Tesla Backup Gateway 2.1 and 2.2 serve different Powerwall systems
Gateway 2.2 omits controls carried by Powerwall 3. Powerwall 2 installations and replacements still require Gateway 2.1 under the dated partner notice.
Market Commentary
WA proposes gas turbine benchmark for capacity prices
A September draft proposes an E-Class gas turbine after the storage-duration requirement increased to seven hours. It is a pricing reference, not a procurement decision.
Battery sizes diverge after the 1 May capacity taper
SunWiz reports a wider spread of battery sizes after the 1 May 2026 certificate taper. The change matters for stock, quoting and household sizing; averages alone do not describe it.
Australia's home battery retrofit market
SunWiz places Australia in the retrofit stage of its battery-market framework. The analysis considers existing solar stock, WA export economics and the different measures behind the comparison.
Company News
Record solar and battery installs in the first half of 2026
Australian households put in more rooftop solar in the first half of 2026 than in any six months before, and bought batteries faster still. The Clean Energy Council's latest report also shows battery sizes falling after the federal discount changed in May.
Card payment surcharges end on 1 October 2026
From 1 October 2026, card-network no-surcharge rules apply to Australian payments, including earlier invoices. Solar and battery quotes should show the cost of card acceptance within the price.
AS/NZS 3000: getting ready for the next Wiring Rules
Publication is targeted for mid-2027. The proposed review covers earthing, batteries and EV charging; current installation requirements still apply.
Compliance & Safety
Energy ministers consider plug-in solar and a national technical regulator
Ministers agreed to explore plug-in devices and endorsed a national technical framework in September 2026. Neither decision authorises plug-in installations.
Mid-scale solar STC eligibility expands from 1 October 2026
Regulations extend STC eligibility to solar systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW installed from 1 October 2026. Applications are expected to open in mid to late November.
Victorian regulator suspends provider over altered installation photographs
Victorian regulators allege altered photographs and falsified customer details were used in certificate claims. The case highlights evidence handling; WA installers operate under a separate scheme and its requirements.
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