Advice and recommendations
Advice about system size, equipment, configuration, expected suitability or integration can be alleged to have caused financial loss.
Professional Indemnity for Solar Design, Advice and Specification
Follow the professional responsibility through system selection, design, documentation, project management and handover.
PI
Professional advice
PL
Work on site
D&C
Design responsibility
Recognition
THE SHORT ANSWER
Why can a solar installer need professional indemnity?
Professional indemnity may be relevant when a solar business is accused of causing loss through a covered error or omission in advice, design, specification, documentation or project management. Public liability addresses a different category of covered injury and property damage, so it should not be treated as a substitute for declared professional services.
The policy must match the services actually provided. Cover depends on the insuring clause, retroactive date, exclusions, excess, limits, notifications and insurer acceptance.
- Policy basis
- Usually claims-made
- Core input
- Design/install split
- Contract check
- Performance promises
- Pair with
- Public liability
Plans and specifications
Layouts, calculations, single-line diagrams, specifications and protection settings should be described as professional services where the business provides them.
Adopted third-party designs
Using a consultant does not automatically end the contractor's exposure if it reviews, changes, adopts or promises delivery of the design.
Project management
Coordination, certification, procurement decisions and subcontractor oversight can create allegations distinct from hands-on installation.
Claims-made basis
PI is commonly claims-made. Maintain continuity and notify claims or circumstances in accordance with the policy requirements.
Contractual promises
Fitness-for-purpose promises, guaranteed savings or output, liquidated damages and liability accepted only by contract may be restricted.
Rectification costs
The cost of correcting defective work or delivering the promised result may not be insured merely because professional services were involved.
Known issues
Complaints, defects and events that may lead to a claim need careful disclosure; a new policy is not a solution for an already known circumstance.
HOW WE ASSESS THE RISK
What Solar Enquiries Show Us
Tank's historical solar enquiries include a business with a small design component and mostly construction work, and one with a mixed retail, project-management and software scope. We ask for the design-versus-install split because occupation descriptions and underwriting outcomes can change with it.
This is a fact-find method, not a promise of insurer acceptance.
The Service Mix
Retail, design, installation, commissioning, maintenance and monitoring software are listed separately.
Who Does the Work
Employees, subcontract installers or both, and how subcontractors are engaged.
Limits and Contracts
The limit a contract or accreditation body asks for, checked against the work you perform.
Design percentage
Estimate the split between professional services and physical construction. Businesses providing consultancy without installation may also compare our energy consultant PI guide.
Qualifications
Identify who designs and signs off, their qualifications and experience, plus relevant licences and accreditation. Pure engineering practices can see the electrical engineer guide.
Project limits
Provide the largest completed and forecast projects, contract types, clients, jurisdictions and any work on larger buildings.
Software and monitoring
Disclose proprietary monitoring, control software or digital services separately; insurers may ask further questions where technology services sit alongside installation.
CASE STUDIES
A solar placement we've handled
Anonymised past placements from Tank's records. They are not quotes: your premium and terms depend on your work, claims history and the insurer's assessment.
Premiums and outcomes described are specific to each client and indicative only. Your own terms will depend on your circumstances and the insurer.
Technical and accreditation context checked 9 September 2026; SAA insurance evidence requirements checked 10 October 2026: Clean Energy Regulator, Solar Accreditation Australia and business.gov.au insurance guidance.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
Solar Installer Professional Indemnity FAQs
There is no single nationwide answer. PI should be considered where the business gives advice or performs or accepts responsibility for professional services, and a contract may also require it.
For a new Design Only accreditation application, SAA says the individual can provide professional indemnity evidence with at least $1 million cover. Installers remain subject to SAA's separate public liability evidence requirement.
Yes. Tank's historical solar enquiries include a business with a small design component and mostly construction work. The split was still recorded as part of the enquiry.
PI is a broad policy category for declared professional services. Design and construct cover is PI structured for contractors whose professional exposure sits alongside construction work. The insuring clauses and exclusions must be compared.
Do not assume it will. Performance guarantees and liability accepted under contract require specific review and may be excluded or outside the policy trigger.
SOLAR AND BATTERY INSURANCE LIBRARY
Follow the risk from design desk to energisation
Put the Full Scope in Front of the Market
Tell us what you design, supply, install, commission and maintain. We can then identify which liability sections may be relevant and approach insurers with an accurate description of the work.