Among the paperwork that comes with a solar install, one document matters more than all the others: the Certificate of Compliance, or CoC. You’ll hear installers and guides insist you must get one — and they’re right. It’s a small piece of paper that carries a lot of weight, because it’s your proof that the electrical work on your home was done safely and legally. Here’s what it is, why it’s non-negotiable, and what to do with it.
What a Certificate of Compliance is
A Certificate of Compliance is the official document a registered electrician issues to certify that the electrical work they’ve done is safe and complies with the relevant standards. For a solar install, that means the electrician is formally declaring that wiring the array, connecting the inverter, and tying the system into your home were all done correctly and to code.
It’s not a marketing certificate or a warranty — it’s a legal compliance document, required by New Zealand’s electrical safety regulations for prescribed electrical work. Every compliant solar installation must have one.
What it actually certifies
The CoC confirms that the electrical installation:
- Was carried out by (or under the supervision of) a registered electrician.
- Meets the relevant safety standards — the wiring rules and the solar-specific standards.
- Has been tested and is safe to use.
For a grid-tied system, the compliance process also ties in with the independent inspection and the grid-connection sign-off, so the CoC sits within a wider chain of certification before the system is switched on.
Why you absolutely need one
There are three reasons a CoC is non-negotiable, and each is serious:
- It’s the law. Prescribed electrical work legally requires a CoC. Work done without one isn’t properly certified, full stop.
- Insurance. If there were ever a fire or electrical fault, an insurer may ask for proof the work was certified. An uncertified install can jeopardise a claim — turning a saving on a cheap, uncertified job into a very expensive problem.
- Resale. When you sell your home, a buyer (and their lawyer) may want evidence the solar installation was done compliantly. No CoC can raise questions and complicate a sale.
In short, a system without a CoC is uncertified, potentially uninsurable, and a future headache. The phrase to remember from any installer conversation is simple: no CoC, no deal.
What to do with it
When your install is complete, the electrician should provide your CoC. Treat it as an important document:
- Keep it safe, with your other house and warranty paperwork.
- Check it’s actually issued — don’t accept “we’ll sort it later” indefinitely.
- Store it for insurance and resale, where you may need to produce it years down the track.
If an installer is vague about whether you’ll receive a CoC, or treats it as an optional extra, that’s a major warning sign about the whole job.
A related certificate
You may also encounter an Electrical Safety Certificate (ESC) in the certification chain for certain work — another part of how electrical compliance is documented in New Zealand. Your electrician handles which certificates apply; your job is simply to ensure you receive proper certification and to keep it. The principle is the same throughout: certified, documented, safe.
The verdict
A Certificate of Compliance is the document your registered electrician issues to certify that your solar system’s electrical work is safe and to standard — and it’s legally required, not optional. Without it, your install is uncertified, your insurance could be at risk, and a future sale can get complicated. Always confirm you’ll receive a CoC, insist on actually getting it, and store it safely. It’s the single most important piece of paper in the whole project: no CoC, no deal.
Get a free assessment for a system installed and certified properly.
Sources: Certificate of Compliance requirements per the Electricity (Safety) Regulations and the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB). Certification is required for all prescribed electrical work.