Answers
Every question we get asked at the desk, answered.
754 short, straight answers on STCs, VEECs, batteries, deeming, audits and rebates. Each one starts with the answer, then the detail.
Cheaper Home Batteries deep long-tail
- Amber, Tesla and Sungrow batteries: which VPP and retailer options exist?The federal rebate is paid at installation whichever VPP or retailer you pick. Amber is a retailer with its own battery program, Tesla runs or supports several options for Powerwall owners, and Sungrow batteries work with a range of retailers. Compatibility changes, so confirm the current list with the operator.
- Are a solar and battery bundle, or a same-day upgrade, eligible for STCs?Yes. In a solar and battery bundle the panels create small-scale STCs on the deeming period, and the battery creates its own battery STCs on usable capacity. They are separate claims with separate calculations, even when installed on the same day.
- Are off-grid batteries eligible for the rebate, and must they be VPP capable?Yes, off-grid batteries can be eligible. At the time of writing the Clean Energy Regulator requires VPP capability for off-grid systems within 1 km of the grid, or written evidence that connecting would cost more than $30,000. Caravans and tiny homes are a grey area that needs checking.
- Are portable power stations eligible for the battery rebate?No. Portable power stations are not eligible for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. The rebate covers permanently installed batteries on the Clean Energy Council list, between 5 and 100 kWh usable, installed by an accredited installer.
- Are Powerwall 3, Sungrow, BYD and other batteries VPP capable?VPP capable means the battery can connect to a virtual power plant operator and respond to remote signals; you do not have to join one. The major brands sell models that meet this, but eligibility is decided per model on the Clean Energy Council list, so check the exact model, not the brand.
- Are Tesla, Sungrow, BYD, Sigenergy and other brands on the battery rebate list?Approval is per model, not per brand. Tesla, Sungrow, BYD, AlphaESS, Sigenergy, GoodWe, Enphase, Fronius and Huawei have all sold batteries in Australia, but only the exact models on the Clean Energy Council list qualify. The rebate depends on usable kWh and install date, not on the brand.
- Battery commissioned before the solar: is there an STC risk?Solar is not a condition of the battery STC discount, so a battery commissioned first is not ineligible on that ground. The risks are paperwork: out-of-sequence dates, evidence that does not describe the final system, and a solar claim whose deeming period and zone follow its own installation date.
- Battery photos missing: can you resubmit a battery STC claim?Often yes, you can supply missing or corrected photos, but only if the evidence genuinely exists. The CER warns that failing the photo requirements delays or rejects a claim, and metadata cannot be recreated afterwards, so some gaps need a return visit to site.
- Battery rebate eligibility checklist for installersBefore you quote, confirm solar at the premises, a CEC-approved VPP-capable battery of 5 to 100 kWh, an accredited installer, commissioning on or after 1 July 2025, no earlier discount at that property, and the photo evidence the regulator now requires.
- Battery STC worked example: 13.5 kWh and 28 kWh batteriesAt the 6.8 factor for May to December 2026, a 13.5 kWh battery creates 91 STCs (13.5 x 6.8 = 91.8, rounded down) and a 28 kWh battery creates 152 STCs. At $38 to $40 per STC that is roughly $3,460 to $3,640 and $5,780 to $6,080.
- Can a business depreciate a battery after the STC discount.A business can generally depreciate a battery it uses to earn income. Small businesses under $10 million turnover can write off assets costing under $20,000 each, now permanent from 1 July 2026. The cost basis after the STC discount is a tax question, so confirm with your accountant.
- Can a granny flat or secondary dwelling get its own battery rebate?Possibly, but not automatically. The limit is one battery per premises, and a granny flat usually shares the main house's meter and address, so it is treated as part of one premises. A separately metered secondary dwelling may qualify on its own; confirm with the regulator.
- Can a landlord or investor claim the battery rebate on a rental?Yes. A landlord who owns the property can install a battery and claim the STC discount, with the tenant's cooperation on access. The limit is one eligible battery per premises, so an investor with several properties can claim once for each, not once in total.
- Can apartment owners or a body corporate get the battery rebate?In principle yes, but it is harder. A lot owner needs body corporate approval and somewhere compliant to put the battery, and a strata body installing for common property is a separate case. Check how the premises is defined and metered before assuming eligibility.
- Can businesses, farms, clubs and community groups get the battery rebate?Yes. The program covers households, businesses and community organisations, not only homes. A small business, farm, school, club, church or hall can claim if the battery is 5 to 100 kWh usable, CEC listed, VPP-capable on grid and installed by an accredited installer. STCs count on up to 50 kWh.
- Can electric vehicle owners get the battery rebate for vehicle-to-home?No. Electric vehicles and their batteries are not eligible for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, so vehicle-to-home and vehicle-to-grid systems earn no battery STCs. An EV owner can still claim for a separate eligible home battery connected to solar.
- Can I be paid for battery STCs within 24 hours?Yes, with the right trader and a complete claim. Energy Merchants settles established partners within 24 hours, and a new partner's first claim clears in 48 to 72 hours while details are verified. Incomplete claims, wrong models or weak photos are what turn a day into a week.
- Can I claim STCs on a battery that is not on the approved list or was removed?No. A battery that is not approved when it is installed does not qualify for STCs under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. If a product is removed from the list later, the date it was installed generally matters, so keep the evidence. A product-approval rejection needs a documented response.
- Can I stack the federal battery rebate with NSW battery incentives?Yes. In NSW the federal STC discount comes off the invoice, and the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme pays a separate incentive for connecting the battery to a VPP. The older BESS1 upfront rebate has been suspended since 1 July 2025, so check which activity applies to your job.
- Can renters or tenants get the Cheaper Home Batteries rebate?A tenant cannot normally claim the discount alone. A battery is a fixed installation, so it needs the landlord's permission, and the STCs belong to whoever owns the system. A tenant can proceed only if the owner agrees and the paperwork names the right owner.
- Can the CER claw back battery STCs, and who pays if it does?The Clean Energy Regulator can invalidate certificates that should not have been created, and a trader that bought them may look to recover value from you, depending on the contract. Exposure comes from product, accreditation, evidence or date errors. Clear contract terms and a complete job file are the controls.
- Can the federal battery rebate stack with VIC, QLD, SA, TAS, ACT or NT offers?Where a state incentive is open, it generally stacks with the federal discount. But in Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the NT the main battery schemes have closed, so the federal STC discount is usually the main support. Check each government page before you rely on a state offer.
- Can you add a battery to old solar and still get the rebate?Yes. The battery rebate works with new or existing solar, and the program sets no minimum age for the panels. A system installed five or ten years ago qualifies as long as it is connected, working, and the battery and installer meet the program rules.
- Can you claim the battery rebate if installed before 1 July 2025?No. The federal battery rebate covers batteries commissioned on or after 1 July 2025, and there is no backdating for batteries that were already running before the program began. An earlier battery can sometimes qualify for a top-up on added capacity.
- Can you claim the battery rebate twice on the same property?No. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program allows one battery installation per premises. Once a battery at a property has received the discount, a second battery there creates no further STCs, so size the system you want before you install.
- Can you get STCs for adding capacity to an existing battery?Possibly. Additional capacity of at least 5 kWh can be eligible when the existing battery has not previously received a program discount and the upgraded system stays within 100 kWh nominal. Adding small modules or expanding a battery that already earned STCs does not qualify.
- Can you get the battery rebate without solar?No. Under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program the battery has to be installed with solar PV, either a new system or an existing one. A battery-only home with no solar does not create battery STCs, so the discount is not available until panels are in place.
- Community batteries, embedded networks and retirement villages: eligible?The federal program is built for individual battery systems of 5 to 100 kWh at a premises. A neighbourhood community battery run by a network or council is generally outside it, and embedded network residents often lack their own connection. A system that meets the product rules at a single premises can qualify.
- Do battery installers need SAA accreditation to claim STCs?Yes. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program requires the battery to be installed by an accredited installer, with accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA), in addition to the right electrical licence. Work done by others must be under on-site supervision by an accredited installer.
- Do I have to join a VPP to get the battery rebate?No. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program requires the battery to be VPP-capable, meaning it can receive and respond to remote signals, but you are not required to join a VPP to receive the STC discount. Some state schemes, such as WA's, do require enrolment.
- Does the battery rebate apply to holiday homes, new builds and bushfire zones?Mostly yes. The federal rebate is attached to a battery installed with solar at a premises, so holiday homes, second homes and new builds can qualify. Heritage and bushfire-zone homes are not excluded, but local approvals and siting rules can affect where a battery goes.
- Does the WA battery scheme require a VPP? Synergy and Horizon rulesYes, the WA Residential Battery Scheme is reported to require the battery to be enrolled in an approved virtual power plant, such as Synergy's Battery Rewards. The federal STC discount does not, so you can take the federal rebate whatever you decide about the state one.
- Does the WA battery scheme stack with the federal rebate?Yes. The WA Residential Battery Scheme is separate from the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program and the two can be combined, with the state side requiring the battery to join a VPP. Amounts differ by network area, so confirm current terms with the WA Government.
- How can I finance a home battery in Australia without paying upfront?You can finance a battery with a green loan, a mortgage redraw or top-up, a lender's solar loan, buy now pay later or a subscription. Several state zero-interest loans have closed, so check what is currently open and compare total cost, not just the repayment.
- How can regional solar installers get paid for STCs fast?Location does not change STC settlement. Speed comes from a complete claim, a trader with fast terms and early checks on photos, forms and serials. Regional teams working across multiple sites benefit most from a standard job file and a single trader relationship.
- How do I check a battery is on the CEC approved list and inverter pairing?Search the Clean Energy Council approved battery list by manufacturer and exact model number, then check whether the listing is for the battery on its own or a battery and inverter combination. Match every suffix on the invoice and the unit label, and screenshot the result with the date.
- How do installers prove a battery is VPP capable?VPP capability is established at the product level. Install a battery and inverter combination that appears on the Clean Energy Council approved list, record the exact model and serial numbers, and keep the evidence the Clean Energy Regulator asks for with the claim. Do not self-declare capability.
- How do you take geotagged battery photos that pass CER checks?Turn on location services for the camera app, shoot in the original format (JPEG, PNG or HEIC), and send the untouched files. The CER needs location and time metadata to match across the installation photos, and it uses AI in assessing claims.
- How does a VPP control my battery, and does it affect my warranty?A VPP operator sends remote signals over the internet that tell your battery to charge or discharge within limits set in your agreement. Most programs keep a backup reserve and allow some opt-outs. Warranty effects depend on the manufacturer, so ask for confirmation in writing before you join.
- How does GST apply to the battery rebate on an installer invoice?Generally, GST on a battery sale is worked out on the full value the customer gives, cash plus the assigned STCs, not just the reduced balance. The installer's later sale of the STCs is a separate supply. Confirm your own position with the ATO or an accountant.
- How does pre-approval work for battery STCs?In practice, pre-approval means your trader reviews the battery, photos, forms and calculation before the claim is lodged, so errors are fixed first. It is different from distributor connection approval and from the regulator's validation after lodgement. We know of no separate regulator pre-approval for a battery claim.
- How long do battery STCs take to be paid?From sign-off, battery STC payment can be as quick as 24 hours with a trader that settles fast, or several weeks with one that waits on registry processing. The real delay is usually a claim returned for photos or serial mismatches, not the payment itself.
- How long does a battery take to pay back with time-of-use tariffs or VPP income?Payback for a rebated home battery commonly lands somewhere around 6 to 10 years, shorter with a steep time-of-use tariff and a VPP payment, longer for a low-usage home on a flat rate. Run the sums on your own bill, not an average.
- How many batteries have been installed, and is demand slowing after May 2026?More than 500,000 batteries had been installed under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program by August 2026, as reported by the government. The 1 May 2026 changes cut the factor and tiered large batteries, which shifts demand toward smaller systems; wait times vary by installer and region.
- How much does a home battery cost per kWh in Australia after the rebate?Most households are paying roughly $700 to $1,000 per usable kWh installed after the federal discount in 2026, though quotes range wider by brand and install. The discount itself is about $250 per kWh on the first 14 kWh at current STC prices.
- How much does a VPP pay per year for a home battery in Australia?There is no standard figure. VPP payments depend on the operator, state, battery size and how often events are called, and they are usually a mix of a sign-up credit, bill credits and event payments. Treat any quoted annual figure as an offer to be read against the contract, not a guarantee.
- How much is the battery rebate for a 10, 13.5 or 20 kWh battery?At the 6.8 factor in force at the time of writing, a 10 kWh battery earns about 68 STCs, a 13.5 kWh battery about 91 and a 20 kWh battery about 119 because of the tiered formula. At STC spot of roughly $38 to $40 that is about $2,600, $3,500 and $4,600.
- How much is the NSW VPP battery incentive in 2026, and how does VPP affect PDRS?The NSW incentive is created under the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme when a battery connects to an eligible VPP. Recent offers have been reported at roughly $40 per kWh on up to 28 kWh, but the amount follows certificate prices and rules, so confirm the figure in writing.
- How much is the rebate on a 15, 20, 25 or 28 kWh battery?At the 6.8 factor, a 15 kWh battery earns about 99 STCs, 20 kWh about 119, 25 kWh about 140 and 28 kWh about 152. That is roughly $3,800 to $6,100 at $38 to $40. Capacity from 14 to 28 kWh counts at 60% of the factor.
- How much is the rebate on a 30, 40 or 50 kWh battery?At the 6.8 factor a 30 kWh battery earns about 154 STCs, a 40 kWh battery about 164 and a 50 kWh battery about 174. That is roughly $5,900 to $7,000 at $38 to $40, because capacity above 28 kWh counts at only 15% of the factor.
- How much is the rebate on a 5, 6.5, 8, 10 or 13.5 kWh battery?At the 6.8 factor, usable capacity under 14 kWh earns 100% of the factor: about 34 STCs for 5 kWh, 44 for 6.5, 54 for 8, 68 for 10 and 91 for 13.5. At $38 to $40 each that is roughly $1,300 to $3,600 off the price.
- How much is the rebate on two 13.5 kWh batteries at one house?Two 13.5 kWh batteries installed together are assessed as one 27 kWh system. At the 6.8 factor, with tiers applied once, that is about 148 STCs, roughly $5,600 to $5,900 at $38 to $40, not double the rebate on a single battery.
- How should the battery STC discount appear on the invoice?Show the full system price, then the STC discount as its own line marked as the customer's assignment of STCs, then the balance payable. Keep the figure consistent with the signed assignment form and the number of STCs you claim.
- How soon after install must battery STCs be created, and can I bulk upload?Battery STCs must be created in the REC Registry within 12 months of the installation date. In practice you want claims in within days, because factor steps, evidence rules and cash flow all punish delay. The registry supports bulk upload for batteries.
- Is a 30 or 40 kWh battery worth it with the tiered rebate?Only if you need the capacity. At the 6.8 factor, 30 kWh earns about 154 STCs and 40 kWh about 164, only 2 and 12 more than a 28 kWh battery, so the rebate does almost nothing to justify the extra size. The case rests on your evening load, backup needs and tariff.
- Is a home battery worth it in a regional city?Often yes, if you already have solar, use most of your power in the evening and size the battery to that load. The federal discount applies in every regional city, so the deciding factors are your tariff, your usage and whether you will join a VPP, not your postcode.
- Is the battery rebate means tested, and who can claim it?No. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is not means tested, so there is no income cap, and we are not aware of any citizenship test. Eligibility depends on the battery, the solar, the installer and the premises.
- Is the battery rebate taxable income?For a household that assigns its STCs to the installer and pays a reduced price, the discount is generally not treated as assessable income. Businesses and people who sell STCs themselves may be treated differently, so check with the ATO or an accountant.
- Is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program ending in 2030, and what then?The program's discount is set to taper in six-monthly steps down to 2030. What happens after that is a policy decision not yet made, so plan around the published schedule and treat anything beyond it as unconfirmed.
- Is there a South Australian VPP battery incentive in 2026?South Australia's older state battery subsidy has largely been overtaken by the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, so the main discount for SA households is now the STC discount. VPP offers from retailers and operators still exist, but we do not know of a fixed state VPP payment, so check the SA Government page.
- Nominal or usable capacity: which counts for battery STCs?Usable capacity counts for certificates: STCs equal usable kWh through the tiers, times the factor, rounded down. Nominal capacity sets whether the system is in the program's 5 to 100 kWh range. Usable figures come from the Clean Energy Council approved battery list.
- State battery schemes closed: what do homeowners do now?The NT battery scheme, Queensland Battery Booster, Victorian Solar Battery Loan and Tasmanian Energy Saver Loan have closed. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program is now the main support everywhere, giving an STC-based discount at the point of sale.
- VPP contract length and lock-in: can I leave a VPP after joining?Usually yes, you can leave a VPP, but the cost depends on the contract. Check the minimum term, any exit fee, and whether a sign-up credit or state incentive must be repaid if you leave early. The federal STC discount is not affected by leaving.
- What are the penalties for battery STC fraud?Penalties range from rejected claims and clawed-back STCs to suspension of registered-person status, loss of installer accreditation, civil penalties and criminal prosecution. The CER can act years after the claim. The exact penalties are set in the legislation.
- What are the three battery rebate tiers (14, 28 and 50 kWh)?Since 1 May 2026 the first 14 kWh of usable battery capacity earns STCs at 100% of the factor, 14 to 28 kWh at 60%, and 28 to 50 kWh at 15%. Capacity above 50 kWh earns nothing extra, so bigger batteries get progressively less discount per kWh.
- What compliance paperwork does a battery STC claim need?A battery STC claim needs an accredited installer, a CEC-approved battery installed to AS/NZS 5139, the state certificate of electrical compliance and the photo and serial evidence the CER now expects. The rebate applies to batteries installed on or after 1 July 2025.
- What do installers need to claim STCs on a Fronius or Huawei battery?Brand does not change the STC rules. A Fronius or Huawei battery needs to be a CEC-approved model, paired with an approved, VPP-capable inverter system, installed by an accredited installer, with the evidence set the program requires. Check the exact model and inverter combination, not the brand name.
- What does the CER check in a battery STC audit or inspection?The Clean Energy Regulator checks that the battery was on the approved list, that an accredited installer did or supervised the work, that the claim's capacity, dates and serials match the evidence, and, on inspection, that the installation meets standards, including labelling. Keep a complete job file.
- What goes on a battery STC assignment form, and signature rules?A battery assignment form identifies the owner, the property, the battery and the installer, states that the owner assigns the right to the STCs and shows the discount, and is signed and dated by the owner. Dates and details must match the installation record. Check the CER's current form for exact wording.
- What installer requirements apply to stand-alone power system battery STCs?The installer must be Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited with a battery endorsement, and stand-alone power system (SPS) design and installation work is generally covered by a separate SPS accreditation. The installation must comply with AS/NZS 5139 and state electrical safety laws.
- What is the battery STC factor for 2026, and how much did it fall on 1 May?The battery STC factor is 6.8 for batteries commissioned from 1 May to 31 December 2026, down from 8.4 in January to April, a fall of about 19%. The tiers began on the same date, so 14 kWh batteries lost about 19% of their STCs and 28 to 50 kWh batteries lost much more.
- What is the battery STC factor for 2028, 2029 and 2030?As published at the time of writing, the factor is 4.6 (Jan to Jun 2028), 4.1 (Jul to Dec 2028), 3.6 and 3.1 in 2029, and 2.6 and 2.1 in 2030. A 14 kWh battery would earn about 64 STCs in early 2028 and about 29 in late 2030, against 95 now.
- What is the battery STC factor from 1 January 2027 and 1 July 2027?The battery STC factor is 6.8 at the time of writing, steps down to 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and to 5.2 on 1 July 2027, then keeps falling to 2030. A 20 kWh battery earns about 119 STCs now, about 100 in early 2027 and about 91 in late 2027.
- What is the battery STC factor worth per kWh in dollars?At the time of writing the battery STC factor is 6.8, so each of the first 14 kWh of usable capacity creates 6.8 STCs, roughly $260 to $270 at an STC price near $38 to $40. Capacity from 14 to 28 kWh earns 60 per cent of that and 28 to 50 kWh earns 15 per cent.
- What is the largest battery you can get a rebate on?A battery system of up to 100 kWh nominal can be installed under the program, but battery STCs are created on only the first 50 kWh of usable capacity. At the 6.8 factor that caps the discount at about 174 STCs, so 60 and 100 kWh systems earn the same as a 50 kWh one.
- What photos does the CER need for a battery install?For every battery claim the CER wants clear, geotagged, timestamped photos of critical labelling (meter box, switchboard, battery front and sides) plus on-site verification photos, including serial numbers matching the REC Registry for the battery and any new inverter.
- Which batteries qualify for the home battery rebate? The CEC approved listA battery qualifies if it is on the Clean Energy Council approved list, is VPP capable, has 5 to 100 kWh usable capacity (up to 50 kWh counted), is installed by an accredited installer and is the only one at the property. New or existing solar is fine.
- Which date sets the battery STC factor: purchase, installation or commissioning?The factor is set by when the battery is installed, not when it is bought, quoted or paid for. A signed contract or deposit does not lock in the current factor. Confirm the installation date wording in the Clean Energy Regulator's current guidance for any job close to a changeover.
- Which rate applies to a battery installed on 30 April or in December 2026?A battery installed on 30 April 2026 falls in the January to April window: factor 8.4 and no size tiers. One installed any day in December 2026 earns at 6.8, with the 100/60/15 per cent tiers applying. From 1 January 2027 the factor is 5.7, and from 1 July 2027 it is 5.2.
- Who pays for the battery discount, the installer or the customer?Neither pays. The battery discount is the value of STCs the customer assigns to the installer. The installer takes the discount off the invoice up front, then sells the STCs to recover it, so the installer carries the timing and compliance risk.
- Why does the battery rebate drop every six months?The battery STC factor steps down every six months because the Cheaper Home Batteries Program was taken up far faster than budgeted, and the government chose a steeper, more frequent decline to manage cost. It is 6.8 now, then 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and 5.2 on 1 July 2027.
- Why is the battery rebate smaller above 14 kWh, and what size is best?The tiers were added on 1 May 2026 to focus support on typical household batteries and stretch the program budget. The first 14 kWh earns 100% of the factor, 14 to 28 kWh earns 60% and 28 to 50 kWh earns 15%. For rebate value per dollar, 13 to 14 kWh is the sweet spot.
- Will the battery rebate run out of funding or end early?The program budget was expanded from $2.3 billion to $7.2 billion, as reported, and the discount is delivered as STCs rather than a fixed pot of grants. It tapers on a published schedule, but a change to settings is possible, so do not assume the current rate will last.
VEECs and Victorian Energy Upgrades deep dive
- Are there VEU discounts for vulnerable households?Victorian Energy Upgrades is reported to be able to introduce targeted discounts for vulnerable or low-income households, and the Victorian Government runs separate concession-based supports. Check the Victorian Government energy site and the ESC for what is currently available before relying on any offer.
- Can landlords and renters get VEU discounts on a rental property?Yes. Victorian Energy Upgrades has no income or property test, so renters and landlords can both access discounts. Anything fixed to the property, such as heating, cooling or hot water, needs the landlord's consent, so the two usually need to agree who arranges and pays for the upgrade.
- Can VEECs be clawed back or an accredited person deregistered?Yes. If an audit finds a VEEC was created for a job that did not meet the rules, the certificate can be invalidated, and serious or repeated breaches can lead to suspension or cancellation of accreditation. The accredited person carries the primary risk, so trading terms matter.
- Can you stack VEECs and STCs on the same job?Yes, for products and activities that qualify under both schemes. A Victorian heat pump water heater can create federal STCs and Victorian VEECs on the same installation, but each has its own registry, accreditation and paperwork, so check the product against both lists.
- Can you still claim VEECs for a home energy rating assessment?Activity 45 rewards a residential energy assessment done under the Residential Efficiency Scorecard. Because that program closed on 23 June 2026, assessments are not eligible for VEEC creation until a new assessment method is prescribed. Check the ESC page for the latest.
- Do VEECs vary by postcode or zone in Victoria?For most VEEC activities, location does not change the certificate count the way it does for solar STCs, which use four zone ratings. Where an activity does vary by location or climate, the activity guide states the input. Check the guide before quoting.
- How do VEU cold room and commercial refrigeration activities work?Commercial refrigeration upgrades in Victoria, such as cold room components and display cabinets, have created VEECs by saving energy against a baseline. Eligibility has been changing and reported to be under review, so check the ESC's current activity page before quoting a discount.
- How do VEU discounts work for heat pump dryers, fridges and TVs?Victorian Energy Upgrades pays one VEEC per eligible high-efficiency fridge or freezer (activity 22), television (activity 24) or energy-efficient clothes dryer (activity 25). Retailers pass the value on as a point-of-sale discount that Victorian Government pages have put at up to about $70 per product.
- How do VEU high-efficiency motor and drive discounts work?Victorian Energy Upgrades pays VEECs for installing high-efficiency motors (activity 31) and refrigeration fan motors (activity 33) at non-residential sites. Variable speed drives are generally handled as project-based activities. The size of the discount depends on the product, so ask for a written estimate.
- How do VEU induction cooktop and gas to electric activities work?Victorian Energy Upgrades includes an induction cooktop activity, and electrification upgrades such as heat pump hot water or reverse-cycle heating can replace gas appliances. VEECs are created per the ESC's rules and the provider passes value on as a discount. Check current requirements for each activity.
- How do VEU lighting upgrades and commercial LED discounts work?A commercial lighting upgrade in Victoria can create VEECs when efficient LED fittings replace less efficient lighting under the Victorian Energy Upgrades rules. The count depends on the energy saved, and the provider usually passes the value on as a discount to the business.
- How do VEU project-based activities work for commercial upgrades?Project-based activities (PBA) credit a bespoke business upgrade, such as HVAC, fans or refrigeration, using energy savings measured before and after. The VEEC count follows the verified saving, not a fixed product formula, so the discount cannot be quoted until the project is measured.
- How do VEU refrigerated cabinet discounts work?Activity 32 covers high-efficiency refrigerated display cabinets at non-residential sites, but some product classes have carried a discount factor of zero since June 2022, so they earn nothing. Check the product class before you promise a discount; cold rooms and fan motors have their own activities.
- How do VEU window glazing discounts work?Victorian Energy Upgrades pays VEECs for replacing windows with efficient glazing (activity 13) or retrofitting glazing onto existing windows (activity 14). Replacement needs at least 5 square metres, WERS-rated products on the ESC register, and the discount depends on the product and VEEC price.
- How do you create VEECs in the VEU Registry? Step by stepInstall an eligible product, hold a signed VEEC assignment form and evidence, create the certificates in the VEU Registry under your accreditation, then transfer the registered VEECs to your buyer. Only accredited persons can create certificates, and records must be kept for six years.
- How do you register a product on the VEU product registry?Manufacturers or suppliers apply to the Essential Services Commission to list a product on the VEU Register of Products, showing it meets the activity's standards. Installers do not register products; they check that the exact model is on the register before installing, and search it for eligible heat pumps.
- How does the VEU ceiling insulation activity work?Activity 48 creates VEECs for installing bulk or rigid foam insulation in uninsulated or under-insulated residential ceilings. Stage 1 began on 14 April 2026 for public and community housing, and stage 2 from 1 October 2026 extends it to all Victorian residential premises, with a pre-installation electrical safety assessment required.
- How does the VEU commercial and industrial solar activity work?Activity 47 lets businesses in Victoria create VEECs for grid-connected solar between 30 kW and 200 kW, installed from 29 September 2025. The certificates bring forward future savings as an upfront discount. How much depends on system size and the VEEC price at the time.
- How does the VEU commercial heat pump water heater activity work?Activity 44 creates VEECs when an air source heat pump water heater is installed at a commercial, industrial or multi-residential site in Victoria. The discount is not a flat rate: it depends on the system, the energy it displaces and the VEEC price when the certificates are sold.
- How does the VEU heat pump hot water activity work, and what is the discount?Under Victorian Energy Upgrades, replacing a water heater with an eligible heat pump can create VEECs for an accredited provider, who usually passes the value on as an upfront discount. The size depends on the model and what is replaced, so use the ESC's current product register and rules.
- How does the VEU low flow shower rose activity work?Fitting an eligible low-flow shower rose in a Victorian home has created VEECs by saving water heating energy. Counts per job are small, so the discount is modest. Confirm on the ESC site that the activity and your product are currently eligible.
- How does the VEU pool pump activity work, and what is the discount?Replacing an old single-speed pool pump with an eligible high-efficiency variable-speed pump can create VEECs in Victoria. The provider usually passes the value on as an upfront discount. The count depends on the product and the rules in force, so check the ESC register.
- How does the VEU space heating and cooling activity work?Installing an eligible high-efficiency reverse-cycle air conditioner or heater in Victoria can create VEECs under the space heating and cooling activity. The ESC's rules decide eligibility and the count, and the provider usually passes the value on as a discount.
- How does the VEU standby power controller activity work?Installing an eligible standby power controller, which cuts power to idle entertainment or office devices, has created VEECs in Victoria by saving standby energy. Savings per device are small, so the discount is modest. Confirm the activity and product are currently eligible with the ESC.
- How does the VEU weather sealing activity work, and what is the discount?Sealing gaps around doors, windows and other openings in a Victorian home has created VEECs by cutting heating and cooling loss. The ESC's rules define what work and products qualify, and the provider passes value on as a discount. Check the current activity rules before quoting.
- How long after installation can you create VEECs?As the Essential Services Commission describes it, VEECs must be created no later than six months after the end of the calendar year in which the activity was completed. That is a hard outer limit, and waiting that long costs you cash flow and increases evidence risk.
- How long does VEEC payment take from lodgement to settlement?VEEC payment can arrive within about a day with a trader that settles on sign-off, or a month or more with one that waits on registry steps and buyer payment. The difference is the trader's terms plus any time lost to claim queries.
- How many VEECs does a commercial LED retrofit create?There is no flat count. A commercial LED retrofit earns VEECs under activity 34 (building-based) or 35 (non-building-based), and the number depends on the product, how much lighting energy it saves and the hours of use. Use the ESC activity guide and registry calculator for a real figure.
- How many VEECs does a heat pump hot water system create?There is no single number: VEECs for a heat pump water heater depend on the model's modelled energy savings, what it replaces and the activity rules. Check the ESC's product registry or calculator, then multiply by the VEEC price (roughly $85 to $95 in 2026).
- How much does VEU accredited person accreditation cost?The ESC charges $3,000 for a new accreditation application, $1,000 for annual renewal and $1,500 to vary accreditation conditions, based on the commission's published fees at the time of writing. Accreditation lasts 12 months and requires fit and proper and competent and capable tests.
- How much is the VEU small business refrigeration discount?There is no flat discount. Under Victorian Energy Upgrades, a cold room upgrade earns VEECs based on its size, and your discount is what the provider passes on after the certificate value and their costs. Reported counts rise with floor area, so confirm the current guide.
- Is the VEU free LED lighting offer real or a scam?The Victorian Energy Upgrades program is real and funded by retailer obligations, so discounted upgrades are legitimate. But 'free' offers from unsolicited callers, pressure tactics or providers not on the ESC registry are warning signs. Check the provider's accreditation before you sign.
- Is the VEU induction cooktop discount still available?The induction cooktop discount (activity 46) was a pilot that was extended to 30 June 2026, and updated eligibility criteria took effect on 1 July 2026. Sources conflict on what is available for new purchases now, so check the Victorian Government's induction cooktop page and the ESC before you rely on it.
- Is there a VEU pool pump discount in Victoria in 2026?Yes, efficient pool pumps have been an eligible Victorian Energy Upgrades activity in 2026, with discounts delivered through accredited providers. The amount depends on the VEEC price, the pump, and the provider's costs, so get the discount in writing before you commit.
- VEEC spot price vs forward price: what is the difference?A VEEC spot price is what certificates trade for today, for near-immediate delivery. A forward price is agreed now for certificates delivered at a set later date. At the time of writing spot has been roughly $85 to $95 in 2026, reported at about $85 to $90 in September.
- What are a VEEC accredited person's obligations and record rules?An accredited person must register installers in the VEU Registry, follow each activity guide, create VEECs on time and keep records that substantiate every activity and certificate. The ESC publishes the Obligations and Program Guide, which sets the retention period.
- What does the ESC check in a Victorian Energy Upgrades audit?The Essential Services Commission checks that VEEC activities were done to the rules: an approved product, a qualified installation, a valid customer acknowledgement and complete records. Accredited providers carry the compliance responsibility and can lose certificates if a job fails.
- What evidence and photos do VEECs need for compliance?Each VEEC claim needs a valid signed assignment form, proof that the product is eligible, installation evidence such as dated photos and serial numbers, and activity-specific records. The ESC expects accredited persons to retain records for six years. The exact list is in each activity guide.
- What is the VEEC price today (this month) in Victoria?At the time of writing the VEEC spot market has been roughly $85 to $95 in 2026, reported at about $85 to $90 in September, after a record near $110. Your payment is your trader's published daily rate, which sits below spot.
- What is the VEU target, penalty price and 2030 outlook?Victorian retailers must surrender VEECs to meet an annual target, reported at 4.4 million for 2026 and 4.6 million for 2027, with a shortfall penalty reported at $100 per certificate. The scheme has been extended beyond 2030. Check the Victorian Government and ESC for current regulations.
- What VEU discounts can Victorian businesses get?Victorian businesses can access Victorian Energy Upgrades discounts through non-residential activities: lighting, motors, refrigeration, commercial heat pump water heaters, 30 to 200 kW solar and project-based measured upgrades. The amount is the value of VEECs created, so it depends on the job and the certificate price.
- Where do I find VEU activity guide versions?VEU activity guides are published by the Essential Services Commission on its Victorian Energy Upgrades site, each with a version number and date. Use the version in force on the job date, and check the ESC's activity overview page before every new batch of work.
- Who are the accredited providers for VEECs, and how do you find one?Accredited providers, also called accredited persons, are businesses the Essential Services Commission has approved to create VEECs for specific activities. Find them through the ESC's Victorian Energy Upgrades registry and filter by activity before you choose who to work with.
Battery STCs and Cheaper Home Batteries Program
- Battery installer accreditation with SAA: what it isUnder the Cheaper Home Batteries Program the battery must be installed by, or under on-site supervision of, an installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). Customers can check an installer on the public SAA lookup.
- Battery rebate calculator: formula, tiers and examplesThe formula is tiered usable kWh x the factor for the install year x the STC price. Use the table below for common sizes: 10, 14, 20, 28 and 50 kWh for 2026 (factor 6.8) and January to June 2027 (factor 5.7); the factor falls again to 5.2 on 1 July 2027.
- Battery rebate drops on 1 January 2027: what it meansOn 1 January 2027 the federal battery rebate falls because the STC factor drops from 6.8 to 5.7. A 14 kWh battery loses about 16 certificates, roughly $600 at current prices. The factor is set by the install date, not the date you sign.
- Battery rebate installer requirements: the full checklistTo create battery STCs an installer needs SAA battery accreditation, an electrical licence, a CEC-approved VPP-capable battery of 5 to 100 kWh, a solar-paired site with no prior claim, and complete evidence including serials, photos and a signed assignment.
- Battery rebate tiers explained: 14, 28 and 50 kWhThe battery rebate has three size tiers: 100 per cent of the factor on the first 14 kWh, 60 per cent on 14 to 28 kWh, and 15 per cent on 28 to 50 kWh. Above 50 kWh earns nothing. At 2026 prices this is roughly $3,700, $5,900 and $6,800.
- Battery STC assignment form: what to fill inA battery STC assignment form records the system owner handing the battery STCs to the installer. It needs the owner details, address, battery serial numbers, the recipient, the date and a signature, and each detail has to match the rest of the claim.
- Battery STC factor 2027: 5.7 from 1 JanuaryThe battery STC factor is 5.7 for installs from 1 January 2027, down from 6.8 for 2026, and it steps down again to 5.2 on 1 July 2027. The tiers by battery size stay, so a 14 kWh battery earns about 79 STCs instead of 95.
- Battery STC payment time: how long to get paidBattery STC payment time depends on the trader and the claim. Some pay within 24 hours of sign-off, while others take a week or more. A first claim with a new trader often takes longer while details are verified.
- Battery STC price: what you will be paid per certificateA battery STC is worth what any STC is worth: roughly $38 to $40 on the market at the time of writing, with a $40 clearing house ceiling. A 14 kWh battery makes about 95 certificates, so every dollar on the rate is worth about $95 per job.
- Battery STC trader: what to look forA battery STC trader is a registered business that buys your battery certificates and pays you a published rate. Look for a locked rate, fast settlement, zero fees, claim pre-checks and a named contact, rather than the headline rate alone.
- Can a business get the battery rebate?The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is not limited to houses in practice, and small businesses may be able to claim where the battery meets the conditions: 5 to 100 kWh usable, up to 50 kWh counted, CEC approved, VPP-capable, accredited installer and one per property. Check the CER rules for your site.
- Cheaper Home Batteries Program STC price: what each certificate paysBattery STCs are the same certificates as solar STCs and trade on the same market, roughly $38 to $40 at the time of writing against a $40 clearing house ceiling. An installer is paid a trader rate a little below that, published by each trader.
- Cheaper Home Batteries Program: the 1 January 2027 cutThe battery STC factor drops from 6.8 to 5.7 per kWh on 1 January 2027 and to 5.2 on 1 July 2027, about a 16 per cent cut in certificates for the same battery. The tiering by size stays, and the factor keeps falling in later years.
- Cheaper Home Batteries Program: what changed on 1 May 2026From 1 May 2026, battery STCs became tiered: the first 14 kWh earns the full factor, 14 to 28 kWh earns 60 per cent, and 28 to 50 kWh earns 15 per cent. The factor is 6.8 for the rest of 2026, down to 5.7 on 1 January 2027.
- Cheaper Home Batteries Program: what installers need to knowAs an installer you create battery STCs by installing a CEC-approved, VPP-capable battery of 5 to 100 kWh usable at a home or small business, holding the right accreditation, and lodging complete evidence. The homeowner assigns the STCs to you as an upfront discount.
- Cheaper Home Batteries STC assignment: how it worksAssignment is the customer handing the right to the battery STCs to the installer or their agent, in writing, so the installer can sell them and discount the quote. It has to be signed by the system owner and match the claim.
- Do I need SAA accreditation to install batteries?To create STCs for a battery, yes: the install must be done by, or supervised on site by, an SAA-accredited battery installer who also holds the right electrical licence. Without it you can still install a battery, but no certificates will be created.
- Federal battery rebate 2026: what you get this yearFor batteries installed in 2026 the federal rebate uses a factor of 6.8 STCs per kWh, tiered by size from 1 May. A 14 kWh battery earns about 95 certificates, worth roughly $3,600 to $3,800 at the time of writing.
- Federal battery rebate 2027: what changesThe federal battery rebate continues in 2027 with a lower STC factor of 5.7 instead of 6.8. A 14 kWh battery earns about 79 certificates, around $3,000 at current prices, compared with roughly $3,700 in 2026.
- Federal battery rebate per kWh: the real numberAt roughly $38 to $40 per certificate, the 2026 rebate is about $260 per kWh for the first 14 kWh, about $155 per kWh from 14 to 28 kWh, and about $40 per kWh from 28 to 50 kWh. Above 50 kWh there is no rebate.
- Home battery cost after the federal rebate: what to budgetBudget for a home battery as the installed system price plus any site extras, minus the STC discount, which is about $3,600 to $3,800 for 14 kWh in 2026 and about $3,000 to $3,200 in 2027 at current prices.
- Home battery rebate in Australia: what is availableThe main home battery rebate in Australia is the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which pays STCs for batteries from 5 to 100 kWh, up to 50 kWh counted. Some states add incentives, and VPP operators may add credits.
- How does the battery rebate affect installer cash flow?A 13.5 kWh battery earns about 91 STCs in 2026, worth roughly $3,450 at the market price, so battery jobs tie up far more cash than solar. Slow settlement multiplies that float, which is why 24-hour settlement matters more on battery work.
- How is the battery rebate calculated?The battery rebate is set by a formula in the regulations: usable kWh in three tiers, multiplied by the factor for the install year. The resulting STCs are sold, and their market value becomes the discount on your quote.
- How many STCs per kWh for a battery?In 2026 a battery earns 6.8 STCs per kWh for the first 14 kWh of usable capacity, then 60 per cent of that to 28 kWh and 15 per cent to 50 kWh. From 1 January 2027 the base figure is 5.7, and from 1 July 2027 it is 5.2.
- How much does a battery cost after the rebate?The after-rebate price is the installed price minus the STC discount. For illustration, a 14 kWh battery quoted at $12,000 before discount would cost about $8,200 to $8,400 in 2026 once roughly $3,600 to $3,800 of STCs is applied.
- How much is the federal battery rebate?The federal rebate is paid as certificates, so the dollars depend on battery size and the STC price. At the time of writing a 14 kWh battery earns about 95 STCs in 2026, worth roughly $3,600 to $3,800, and a 50 kWh battery earns about 175 STCs.
- How to claim battery STCs: step by stepTo claim battery STCs you install an eligible battery as an accredited installer, collect photos, serials and a signed assignment form, create the claim in the Clean Energy Regulator system or lodge through your trader, then wait for validation and settlement.
- How to sell battery STCsInstallers sell battery STCs to a registered certificate trader, who pays a published rate, or lodge them directly with the Clean Energy Regulator and sell them to the clearing house at $40. Compare the locked rate, the settlement time and any fees.
- Solar battery rebate Australia: the quick guideThe solar battery rebate in Australia is the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program: STC-based, for batteries of 5 to 100 kWh paired with new or existing solar. In 2026 a 14 kWh battery earns roughly $3,600 to $3,800 at current prices.
- Solar battery rebate calculator: work out yours in 3 stepsYou can work out your solar battery rebate yourself: apply the tier bands to your battery usable kWh, multiply by the factor for your install year, then multiply by the STC price. A 14 kWh battery in 2026 is about 95 STCs.
- What does the battery STC factor of 5.7 in 2027 mean?The battery STC factor is 6.8 per usable kWh for 2026 installs and steps down to 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and 5.2 on 1 July 2027, with further six-monthly steps to 2030. A 10 kWh battery earns about 68 STCs in 2026 and about 57 in 2027.
- What is a battery STC?A battery STC is a small-scale technology certificate created for each unit of rated capacity when an approved home battery is installed under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. The installer sells it and passes the value to the customer as a discount.
- What is the battery STC factor?The battery STC factor is the multiplier applied to usable kWh to work out how many STCs a battery creates. It is 6.8 for installs in 2026 and falls to 5.7 from 1 January 2027 and to 5.2 on 1 July 2027, with the first 14 kWh at full value and larger capacity tiered down.
- What size battery gets the biggest rebate?Under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program the rebate grows with usable capacity up to 50 kWh, so a 50 kWh battery earns the most. But the rebate per kWh is the same at any size, so the best battery is the one that matches how you use energy.
- When does the battery rebate end?There is no one date when the federal battery rebate ends. It falls every six months, to 5.7 certificates per kWh on 1 January 2027 and 5.2 on 1 July 2027, and the small-scale scheme it sits in finishes at the end of 2030. The sooner you install, the more you get.
- When does the Cheaper Home Batteries Program end?The Cheaper Home Batteries Program runs to 2030 under the small-scale scheme, but the rebate does not stay the same until then. The STC factor falls on a schedule, to 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and lower in later years.
- Where is the CEC eligible battery list and what does it cover?Batteries must be on the Clean Energy Council approved list and be VPP-capable to earn STCs under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Check the exact model and variant on the install date, and use the usable capacity from the listing.
- Which batteries are eligible for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program?An eligible battery is on the Clean Energy Council approved list, is capable of joining a virtual power plant, sits between 5 and 100 kWh, and is paired with new or existing solar. Installation must be by an accredited installer after 1 July 2025.
- Who gets the battery STCs, the homeowner or the installer?The battery's owner is entitled to the STCs, but most homeowners assign that right to the installer, who claims the certificates and passes the value on as a discount on the price. Make sure the discount is clear on your quote and the assignment is properly signed.
Homeowner STC questions and trust
- Can I assign STCs to a third party or a different company than the installer?In principle the assignment can name any registered person or agent, not only the installer. In practice the installer's price assumes they receive the STCs, so naming a different company needs agreement up front and usually changes the quote.
- Can I cancel or revoke an STC assignment?You can ask to withdraw an STC assignment before certificates are created, but the installer will normally expect the discount back. Once the STCs are created and sold, the assignment cannot be undone. Cooling-off rights may apply to some sales.
- Can I combine STCs with state solar and battery rebates?STCs are a federal discount, and in most cases you can combine them with state incentives, but each state scheme has its own eligibility rules, caps and closing dates. Several have closed, so confirm on the scheme's official page before you rely on one.
- Can I get STCs for a battery if I already have solar?Yes. Under the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program a battery of 5 to 100 kWh usable earns STCs on up to 50 kWh, with new or existing solar. It must be CEC-approved, VPP-capable and fitted by an accredited installer, one per property.
- Can I sell my own STCs, and would I get a higher discount by keeping them?Yes, you can keep your STCs and sell them yourself, but you must pay the full price up front and handle registration, creation and sale. It only beats the installer's discount when you can sell above the price they allowed and accept the delay and risk.
- Do I get STCs for a second, upgraded or replacement solar system?It depends on whether the work is new, additional or a replacement. Additional capacity and genuine replacements can be eligible in some circumstances, but second-hand equipment is not. Confirm the current Clean Energy Regulator rule with your installer before you accept a quote.
- Do I pay tax on the solar rebate or declare STCs?For a household that assigns its STCs to the installer for a lower price, the ATO has generally treated that as a price reduction rather than income you declare. Businesses, landlords and people who sell STCs themselves can be treated differently, so confirm with the ATO or an accountant.
- How can I check if my installer claimed my STCs?Ask your installer or agent for written confirmation of the STC creation, including the number of certificates and the creation date. The REC Registry holds the record, and the Clean Energy Regulator can help if you cannot get an answer.
- How do I read the STC line on a solar quote or invoice?A good quote shows the number of STCs, the dollar value per STC and the total deducted from your price. Individual STC serial numbers sit in the REC Registry, not on your invoice. You can check the count yourself from system size, zone rating and deeming years.
- How do STCs work with no-interest loans and pay later plans?The STC discount comes off the price first, and a no-interest loan or pay later plan then finances what is left. Several government loan schemes have closed, so confirm what is open in your state and read the fees and terms on any pay later product.
- How do STCs work with solar finance, green loans and home equity?The STC discount reduces the system price at the point of sale, and your finance, whether a green loan, personal loan or home equity, covers the balance. Make sure the loan is based on the post-discount invoice and compare total repayments, not just the rate.
- How does the STC discount and GST show on an invoice?GST is calculated on the full system price before the STC discount is deducted, so the GST shown can look higher than 10% of what you actually pay. The STC discount normally appears as its own negative line after the GST-inclusive total.
- How much STC discount should I get, and how do I check it?Multiply system size in kW by your zone rating and the deeming years (5 for 2026), round down, then multiply by the value per STC, roughly $38 to $40 at the time of writing. A typical 6.6 kW system in Sydney or Brisbane is about 45 STCs.
- How much will STCs fall next year, and by 2030?The number of STCs a new solar system creates falls by one-fifth in 2027, because the deeming period drops from 5 years to 4. It keeps falling to 3 years in 2028, 2 in 2029 and 1 in 2030, when the scheme ends on 31 December. The STC price itself has moved far less.
- How to report a solar scam, and what Scamwatch doesReport solar and rebate scams to Scamwatch at scamwatch.gov.au, run by the ACCC. If you lost money or gave away details, contact your bank first, then report to ReportCyber and IDCARE. Problems with an installer go to state fair trading, and STC issues can go to the Clean Energy Regulator.
- I bought a house with solar: who owns the STCs, can I claim?STCs are created once, when the system is installed, and the previous owner usually assigned them for a discount. As the buyer you do not own or claim them. You buy the working system, and can still claim STCs on any new eligible additions.
- If I move house, can I take my solar panels and STCs?You can take your panels with you if the sale contract excludes them, but a relocated system is second-hand and does not earn new STCs. The STCs from the original install were already created and stay with that address.
- Is my installer ripping me off on the STC discount?Your STC discount is probably fair if the STC count matches the calculator and the value per STC is within a few dollars of the market, about $38 to $40 at the time of writing. A low count or a unit value far below spot is the sign to push back.
- Is the solar rebate paid to me or to the installer?In almost every residential job the STC proceeds go to the installer or its registered agent, and you receive their value as a discount on the price. You can only be paid the STCs yourself if you refuse to assign them and create and sell them in your own name.
- Is the STC a discount, a rebate or cash, and do I get cash for my STCs?An STC is a tradable certificate, not a cash payment from the government. Most homeowners receive its value as an up-front discount on the quote by assigning the STCs to the installer. You only get cash if you keep the certificates and sell them yourself.
- Is the STC discount upfront, and what is point of sale?In most Australian solar sales the STC discount is taken off the price at the point of sale, because you assign your certificates to the installer. It is not a cheque from the government later. Check your quote shows both the full price and the discounted price.
- Is the STC solar rebate a scam? How to tell it is legitimateThe STC rebate is real. It is created under the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme and arrives as a discount on your system, not as a payment you apply for. Scams copy the name, so treat any unsolicited offer, upfront fee or request for bank details as a warning sign.
- My solar installer disappeared after taking a deposit: what now?Gather your quote, receipts and messages, then contact your bank or card provider about a chargeback, your state fair trading office, and Scamwatch or the police if fraud is likely. If nothing was installed, no STCs exist, so your focus is recovering the deposit.
- Selling a house with solar: what happens to the STCs?Nothing happens to your STCs when you sell, because they were created and normally sold when the system was installed. The buyer gets a working system and its warranties, not certificates. Hand over the paperwork and disclose any unresolved claim.
- Should I assign my STCs to the installer, and what if I refuse?For most households, yes: assigning your STCs to the installer is how you receive the discount on the quote, and it spares you the paperwork and the wait. You are not forced to, but if you refuse you pay the full price up front and handle the certificates yourself.
- Should I wait for solar prices or STCs to drop before buying?Generally no. The STC discount is set by a deeming period that falls by one year each January, so waiting cuts the discount by roughly a fifth to a third in 2027, while hardware prices move far less. If you were going to buy anyway, earlier is usually cheaper.
- Solar rebate scams: phone call, text, email, door knock and free panelsSolar rebate scams arrive by phone, text, email and at the door, and all follow one script: an unsolicited approach, a rebate you must claim now, and a request for money or personal details. A real STC discount comes through your installer's quote, never from a stranger contacting you.
- STC deeming period by year: 2026 to 2030 tableFor small-scale solar the deeming period is 5 years for systems installed in 2026, 4 years in 2027, 3 in 2028, 2 in 2029 and 1 in 2030. The scheme ends on 31 December 2030. STCs equal kilowatts times the zone rating times the deeming period, rounded down.
- What did the Greenbot collapse mean for customers' STCs?Greenbot was permanently suspended as a registered agent in 2024, and its installer clients moved mainly to Formbay and One Stop Warehouse. If your installer used the former Greenbot platform, your first step is to confirm with them that your STCs were created.
- What does assigning STCs mean for me, and who owns them afterwards?Assigning your STCs means signing over your right to create and own the certificates, usually to the installer or their agent, in return for a discount on the system. After you assign, they own the STCs and any sale proceeds; you keep your system and your warranty.
- What happens to my STCs if my solar installer goes bust?If you signed the STCs over and paid the discounted price, your discount is usually already in your price. If STCs were never created, the right may still be yours to claim within 12 months of installation, so act quickly and keep your paperwork.
- What happens to STCs in 2030 when the scheme ends?The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme ends on 31 December 2030. The deeming period shortens each year, 5 years for 2026 installs, 4 for 2027 and down to 1 in 2030, so the STC discount shrinks until it stops. Systems already installed keep their benefits.
- What if I don't sign, or lose, my STC assignment form?If the form is never signed, your installer cannot create the STCs, so they may try to recover the discount from you under the contract. If you lose it, ask for a copy or a fresh one. Read your contract before you pay anything extra.
- What STC price do installers use, and why is it below spot?Installers usually value STCs at the rate their certificate trader pays, which is a little under the spot market price. At the time of writing spot has been roughly $38 to $40, so a quote value just below that is normal.
- Why does my installer want me to sign the STC form?The STC assignment form transfers your right to create certificates to your installer or their agent, which is how they fund the discount on your quote. Sign it only once the details are filled in, and never sign a blank form.
- Will solar be cheaper or dearer after 2030?Without STCs the discount is gone, so the net price should be higher by the discount's value unless hardware and installation costs fall by at least as much. No one can promise the outcome, but the discount is already shrinking each year before 2030.
Installer business, licensing, insurance and tooling
- Can I install solar in another state on my electrical licence?Often yes. Automatic mutual recognition lets many licensed electricians work in a second state under their home licence after notifying the local regulator, but not every state participates the same way and local rules still apply. SAA accreditation is national and applies wherever you work.
- Did CEC accreditation transfer to SAA, and what is the difference?Yes. The Clean Energy Regulator approved Solar Accreditation Australia as the accreditation scheme operator on 29 February 2024, and CEC-accredited installers and designers had to transfer by 29 May 2024. Transfer was free, and SAA is now the body that accredits installers.
- Do I need SAA accreditation to install batteries or stand-alone systems?Yes. Installing batteries under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program requires an SAA accredited installer with the right battery accreditation, and stand-alone power system work needs SPS accreditation to be eligible for STCs. A general solar accreditation alone is not enough.
- Do solar installers need warranty or home warranty insurance?Warranty insurance and home warranty insurance are different things. Home warranty is a statutory scheme in some states that covers residential building work, and whether it applies to a solar installation depends on the state and the job. Warranty-backed workmanship cover is optional but protects your customers if you go under.
- Do solar salespeople need a licence in Australia?A salesperson employed by a licensed business usually does not need their own electrical licence, but the business selling and contracting the work does, in most states. A sales rep cannot do electrical work or sign installer declarations unless they are also licensed and accredited.
- Electrical licence for solar installers in SA, Tasmania, ACT and the NTIn every state and territory, solar installation is electrical work and needs a licensed electrician, with the business holding the relevant contractor licence. SAA accreditation is then needed to create STCs. The regulators differ: check your own state or territory's licensing body for current conditions.
- How can a solar installer improve cash flow and working capital?Improve cash flow by collecting deposits and stage payments, negotiating supplier terms, settling STCs quickly and keeping claims clean so they are not resubmitted. Working capital needs fall when the gap between paying for stock and being paid shrinks.
- How do I become a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) installer?You need an unrestricted electrical licence, the approved solar training for your accreditation type, and a few supporting documents, then you apply to Solar Accreditation Australia. Fees were reported at about $605 for full three-year accreditation when SAA launched; check the current schedule.
- How do I check an SAA accreditation number or search for an installer?Use the installer search on the Solar Accreditation Australia website to look up a name or accreditation number and confirm the status, expiry and categories. Check it before the job, and confirm the electrical licence on your state regulator's register as well.
- How do I renew SAA accreditation and how many CPD points do I need?SAA accreditation runs for a fixed term and must be renewed before it expires. Installers and designers earn continuing professional development points, reported as 100 a year with at least 60 from core training, so check the current SAA rules and diarise the renewal date.
- How do rejected STCs hit a solar installer's cash flow?A rejected STC claim freezes the money for that job until the problem is fixed and the claim passes again. On a typical rooftop job that is about $1,700 to $1,800 of working capital tied up, plus staff time. Pre-checking evidence before lodgement is the cheapest fix.
- How do solar installers get wholesaler credit and compare distributors?Distributors extend trade credit based on your ABN history, accreditation, trade references and cash flow. Compare them on stock reliability, warranty support, approved-product coverage and payment terms, not only price. Fast STC settlement reduces how much credit you need.
- How does an STC trading portal work for solar installers?An STC portal is the online front door to a trader: you upload job details, photos and forms, the trader checks and lodges the claim, and the portal shows status and payment. Features, an API or white-labelling are extras; clean evidence and fast settlement matter more.
- How much does it cost to start a solar business in Australia?A lean one-crew solar installer can start for a low-to-mid five-figure sum before vehicles, but the real cost is working capital: you pay for panels, inverters and labour weeks before the STC value comes in. Budget for licences, SAA accreditation, insurance, tools and three months of cash flow.
- How should installers plan for the January 2027 rebate drops?Two steps land on 1 January 2027: the battery STC factor falls from 6.8 to 5.7 and the solar deeming period falls from 5 years to 4. Install dates decide the value, so plan crew capacity now, but do not stockpile jobs you cannot complete properly by the cut-off.
- How should solar installers price jobs after the STC discount?Price from the installed cost and the margin you need, then show the STC discount as a separate line. The installer normally carries the STC price risk between quote and sale, so lock your rate on lodgement or build a buffer.
- SAA designer vs installer: do I need both accreditations?SAA accredits designers and installers separately. For STCs, the system must be designed by an accredited designer and installed by an accredited installer, though one person can hold both. Installer accreditation requires an electrical licence, so check what each role needs before you hire or train.
- Should I outsource STC admin, paperwork and compliance?Outsourcing STC admin makes sense once claim paperwork eats installer or office time. A trader or agent can lodge claims and pre-check compliance; you keep responsibility for the install itself, the photos and accurate details. Outsource lodgement and checking, not accountability.
- Sole trader or company: GST and turnover for solar installersInstallers choose between sole trader and company based on liability, tax and growth. GST registration is required once turnover reaches $75,000, and STC sales count toward it. Get your accountant to confirm; the ATO sets the rules, not your trader.
- What are the advertising rules for solar installers when quoting STCs?Advertising must not mislead. That means STC discounts, rebates and savings have to be accurate, qualified and current, and claims like free solar or guaranteed payback are risky. The ACCC and state regulators enforce the Australian Consumer Law, and the Clean Energy Regulator can act on STC misconduct.
- What are the requirements to be a solar retailer in Australia?There is no single national solar retailer registration, but you need the right state licence to contract for the work, accredited people installing it, and a retailer written statement for every STC claim. Consumer law and some state programs add further rules.
- What consumer law rules apply to solar sales, and what is cooling off?Door-to-door and phone sales of solar are unsolicited consumer agreements under the Australian Consumer Law, with a 10 business day cooling-off period and rules on when you can call. The ACCC and state fair trading regulators enforce misleading conduct and unfair terms.
- What CRM, job management and compliance software suits solar installers?A solar business needs one place to follow each job from lead to quote to install to STC claim. Whether that is a CRM, a job management platform or a mix, look for photo capture, document storage, accreditation tracking and links to your quoting tool.
- What do solar installer subcontractors charge in Australia?Subcontract rates vary by state, system size and who supplies materials, and there is no standard published rate. Most are quoted per job, per kW or per day, and the right number depends on what is included, which is why you should compare scope rather than headline price.
- What electrical licence do you need to install solar in NSW?In NSW, only a holder of a building or electrical contractor licence can contract to install solar on a roof, and the wiring must be done by a licensed electrician. To create STCs the installer must also be accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia. NSW Fair Trading issues the licences.
- What electrical licence do you need to install solar in Victoria?In Victoria, solar installation must be done by a licensed electrician, and the business needs to be a Registered Electrical Contractor with Energy Safe Victoria. A Certificate of Electrical Safety follows the job. SAA accreditation is needed for STCs, and Solar Victoria approval for the state rebate.
- What electrical licence do you need to install solar in Western Australia?In Western Australia, you need a WA electrical worker's licence to do the work and an electrical contractor's licence for the business to carry out electrical work for profit, issued through the state's Building and Energy regulator. STCs also need SAA accreditation.
- What insurance does a solar installer need in Australia?Public liability is the baseline and is required for SAA accreditation. Workers compensation is mandatory if you employ staff, and professional indemnity is worth having if you design or advise. The cheapest policy is the one that actually covers roof, electrical and battery work, so compare exclusions, not just premiums.
- What is the best app for STC forms, photos and CRM for installers?The best app is the one your crew will actually use on the roof: it captures geotagged, timestamped photos against each job, collects a signed assignment form and installer statement, and hands a clean pack to your trader. A CRM is a separate tool for leads and quotes.
- What licence do you need to install solar in Queensland (QBCC)?In Queensland, anyone doing solar electrical work needs an electrical licence, and a business selling and contracting solar needs a QBCC licence or an unrestricted electrical contractor licence above a value threshold. SAA accreditation is also needed to create STCs.
- What should a solar installer contract and quote template include?A solar contract should state the parties, scope, products, price, STC treatment, payment schedule, timeline, warranty, variations, cancellation rights and who owns what. Use a template as a starting point and get a solicitor to review it for your state and consumer law.
- What should I know before selling a solar installation business?A buyer will pay for a clean claims record, a documented pipeline and manageable warranty liability, not just revenue. Accreditation belongs to the person, not the business, so it does not transfer. Get legal and accounting advice and tidy your STC evidence first.
- What should the STC clause in a solar contract say?An STC clause should say that the customer assigns the STCs, state the discount applied, say what happens if the rate or eligibility changes before installation, and set out who bears the risk if a claim fails. A refund clause should be specific about when, and how much, is repaid.
- What software do solar installers use for quotes, proposals and design?Solar installers typically use a design tool for layouts and yield, a proposal tool to present the quote, and sometimes one platform that does both. Pick on Australian pricing support, STC and battery calculations, integration with your CRM and whether the output matches your accredited designer's sign-off.
STC lodgement, REC Registry and paperwork
- Can a subcontractor take the STC photos for my installation?A subcontractor can take the photos, but the photos must still show the work and, for attendance, the accredited installer responsible for the job. The people in the pictures, the metadata and the written statement must all tell the same story.
- Can an STC assignment form be signed electronically or digitally?Yes, an STC assignment form can generally be signed electronically, provided the process reliably identifies the signer, captures their agreement to the assignment wording and records when it happened. Keep an audit trail and a clear copy, and check the Regulator's current guidance.
- Can failed STCs be recreated, and how do you resubmit them?Often yes. When the reason for failure can be fixed, you can create the certificates again and must declare the earlier failure, giving the previous code and an explanation. If the problem is eligibility, recreating will not help.
- Can you claim STCs without an electrical certificate?In practice, no. STCs can only be created for a system installed in line with state and territory electrical laws, and the electrical safety certificate is your proof. You can lodge without it, but the claim is exposed to rejection, a trader hold or a later clawback.
- Do I need a CES or CCEW to claim STCs?A CES (Victoria) or CCEW (NSW) is a state electrical safety document, not a field in the STC claim. You do not lodge it with the Clean Energy Regulator, but the installation must be lawful, and an auditor or trader may ask for the certificate as evidence.
- Do STC installation photos need geotags and metadata? Phone or camera?Since 1 March 2026 battery photos must be geotagged and timestamped, with metadata matching your on-site installer photos. Solar photos are strongly expected to carry location and time data too. A phone with location on is the simplest tool, and files must be kept as originals in JPEG, PNG or HEIC.
- Do you need distributor (DNSP) approval before or after solar installation for.Distributor (DNSP) connection approval is a network requirement, not a certificate rule, so STCs do not depend on it in the same way they depend on accreditation. In most networks you should apply before installing, and keep the approval reference with the job. Check with your trader what they need before lodging.
- How do NSW solar installers lodge the CCEW (Certificate of Compliance)?In NSW the licensed electrician completes a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) after testing and lodges it electronically with NSW Fair Trading, with copies to the customer and the network, within seven days of finishing the work. It is a state safety document, separate from the STC claim, but belongs in the job record.
- How do you become a registered agent for STCs?You apply to the Clean Energy Regulator to be a registered person and agent, pass the fit and proper person test, then act for owners under signed authority. It carries compliance duties, so most installers assign to an existing agent instead.
- How do you capture panel, inverter and battery serial numbers for an STC claim?Capture every panel and inverter serial number by scanning or photographing the barcode label, and record the battery serial from its compliance plate. The numbers go into the REC Registry claim, and a clear photo of each label is the evidence behind them.
- How do you create STCs in the REC Registry, one at a time or in bulk?Log in to the REC Registry, create a new small generation unit record with the system, product and installer details, attach the evidence and submit. Bulk or CSV upload uses a template to create many at once, so errors multiply too.
- How do you register for the REC Registry and fix login problems?You register an account on the REC Registry with identity and business details, then link or apply to be a registered person if you will create certificates. Login problems are usually password, verification or account-permission issues the registry helpdesk can resolve.
- How long do STCs take to register and how long does CER validation take?Clean claims can register within days, while the Clean Energy Regulator says validation usually takes four to six weeks where it needs a closer look, and longer if information is missing. Your trader's payment timing is a separate matter.
- How long must installers keep STC records and assignment forms?The Clean Energy Regulator's guidance for registered agents and solar retailers is to keep the evidence behind every STC for at least five years from creation. Many businesses keep records for seven years to cover tax and warranty needs, which is a safe habit, not a CER rule.
- How many photos does an STC claim need? An installer's photo checklistThe Clean Energy Regulator does not publish one magic number of photos. It expects enough clear evidence to show the installer on site through the main stages, the equipment and serials, and the finished system. Follow the Regulator's photo guidance and your trader's checklist, and shoot more than you think you need.
- Queensland electrical safety certificate for solar: who lodges it?In Queensland the licensed electrician completes a certificate of testing and compliance (or testing and safety) for the electrical work and lodges or provides it under the Electrical Safety Office's rules. It is a state document, not a registry step, but it belongs in the STC job file.
- Solar connection approval by network: Ausgrid, Energex, Ergon, Powercor and moreEvery solar system connects through the local distribution network, so the network that serves the address decides where you apply: Ausgrid or Endeavour in parts of NSW, Energex or Ergon in Queensland, Powercor in western Victoria, SA Power Networks, Western Power, TasNetworks or Evoenergy.
- Solar electrical certificates in SA, WA, Tasmania, the NT and the ACTEach state and territory has its own electrical compliance document for solar work: a certificate of compliance in SA, a notice of completion in WA, a certificate of electrical compliance in Tasmania, a certificate of compliance in the NT and a certificate of electrical safety in the ACT. The electrician lodges it, and it is separate from the STC claim.
- STC claim submission steps and the mistakes installers makeCollect and check the documents, create the system record in the REC Registry, upload photos and details, assign the claim to your trader, then wait for CER validation and settlement. Most failures come from small mismatches: serials, postcodes, dates and signatures.
- STCs failed because the installer's accreditation had expired. What now?STCs can only be created for work done by an installer who held current accreditation on the installation date. If accreditation had lapsed, the claim can fail validation, and a later renewal does not normally fix a job that was done while it was expired.
- Victoria Certificate of Electrical Safety for solar: who lodges it and when?In Victoria the registered electrical contractor or electrician lodges a Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) with Energy Safe Victoria after the electrical work, within a short window often quoted as five days. It is a state safety record, separate from the STC claim, and should be on the job file.
- What do REC Registry STC statuses mean: pending audit, registered, failed?Pending audit means the Clean Energy Regulator is still checking the claim. Registered means it passed and the certificates exist. Failed validation means it did not. Settlement complete refers to the certificates having been transferred and settled.
- What documents do you need to claim STCs?For a solar claim you need a signed STC assignment form, installation photos, the electrical safety certificate, panel and inverter serial numbers, the installer's CEC details and a correct site address and install date. Traders then check each against the claim before they pay.
- What happens if my STCs fail validation or the application is rejected?A failed claim means the Clean Energy Regulator did not register the certificates. They cannot be traded, the failure reason is shown in the registry, and you either fix the issue and recreate the claim or, if it cannot be fixed, accept the loss.
- What if a serial number does not match in the REC Registry?A serial number mismatch means the number entered for a panel, inverter or battery does not match the evidence or the approved product data. Check the photo, correct the entry and resubmit within the 12 month creation window; if the equipment itself is different, get advice before changing anything.
- What is the 12 month deadline to create STCs, and can you claim after it?Small-scale technology certificates must be created in the REC Registry within 12 months of the installation date. After that the system generally cannot be claimed, and a claim that fails validation late may run out of time to be fixed and resubmitted.
- What is the designer and installer written statement for solar and batteries?The designer and installer written statement is a signed declaration from the accredited people who designed and installed the system, confirming that the work complies with the required standards and guidelines. Solar and battery jobs each need one, reflecting their own standards.
- What is the solar retailer written statement for the CER.The solar retailer written statement is a document the retailer provides, and keeps, to show the Clean Energy Regulator that the sale met the scheme's requirements, including naming the accredited designer and installer. It is separate from the installer and designer statements, and the CER publishes guidance to build a template from.
- What must an STC assignment form include, and when must it be signed?An STC assignment form identifies the owner and the system, states that the owner assigns the right to create certificates, records what they receive in return and is signed and dated by the owner. It is best signed before installation, and must be in place before the claim is created.
- Who signs the STC assignment form for a company, trust or deceased owner?The form must be signed by someone with authority to bind the owner. For a company that is a director or authorised officer, for a trust it is the trustee, and for a deceased owner it is the executor or administrator once they have legal authority to deal with the estate.
- Who signs the STC assignment form for a rental: the tenant or the landlord?The system owner assigns the right to create STCs, and in a rental that is normally the landlord, not the tenant. A tenant can sign only where they own the system or have the owner's written authority to act for them.
- Why did my STCs fail: photos, duplicate serial numbers or address mismatch?Most failed claims come down to photos that are missing, illegible or lack location data, serial numbers that are wrong or already used elsewhere, or an address that does not match across the claim, form and installation record.
STC payments, GST, RCTI and accounting
- Can an STC trader advance money or finance my STCs?Some traders and finance providers will advance cash against STCs before they clear, but you pay for it in a lower rate or interest. If your trader already settles in about a day, there is usually little left to finance.
- Can I use two STC traders or split my STCs between them?Usually yes. STCs are assigned job by job, so you can send different jobs to different traders unless a contract has an exclusivity or minimum-volume clause. Splitting can spread risk and let you compare traders, at the cost of extra admin.
- Do STC traders need an AFSL?Generally not for buying and selling STCs themselves. Large-scale and small-scale certificates are usually treated as commodities rather than financial products, but some arrangements, such as forward contracts or carbon units, can differ. Ask a trader about its licensing and take legal advice if unsure.
- Do STC traders offer bank guarantees or credit limits?Bank guarantees from STC traders are uncommon, so you judge counterparty risk by other means: settlement history, how fast it pays, who stands behind it and whether it caps your volume with a credit limit. Keep your exposure short by choosing fast settlement.
- Do STCs count as income for installers? Tax treatment explainedFor an installer, the money received from selling STCs is generally part of business income, assessable like other trading revenue, and GST usually applies. A household that assigns STCs for a discount is treated differently. Your accountant should confirm how it applies to your structure.
- Do you need an ABN to sell STCs?If you install systems and sell STCs as a business, you need an ABN, and traders will require one to open a trade account. Without an ABN a payer may have to withhold tax from the payment. A homeowner who is not in business selling STCs from their own system is treated differently.
- GST on STC sales: what installers charge and claimIf you are registered for GST, selling STCs to a trader is generally a taxable supply, so GST applies to the sale and appears on your RCTI or invoice. You generally cannot claim a GST credit on the right to create STCs a customer assigns to you. Confirm with your accountant.
- How do I pick an STC trader and compare them fairly?Compare STC traders on net dollars per certificate, days to cash, written deductions, clawback terms and how they handle problem claims. Check reviews from installers of your size, and run one small claim through before you commit your volume.
- How do I switch STC trader mid-month or move STCs between traders?You can switch trader at any point by assigning new jobs to the new one, because assignment is per job. Claims already lodged stay with the old trader until they settle, and certificates already in a trader's registry account are moved only by a registry transfer that both parties agree.
- How do STC traders make their margin?An STC trader's margin is the spread between the rate it pays you and the price it gets selling certificates to liable entities or the Clearing House. That spread covers registry work, funding and risk, and it varies a lot between traders.
- How does an STC rate lock work for installers?An STC rate lock fixes the price a trader will pay for your certificates from a defined trigger, often when you lodge a complete claim. After that, spot can move without changing what you are paid, so you can price jobs and forecast cash with confidence.
- How installers account for STCs: balance sheet, inventory or revenueThere is no single required treatment. Many installers treat STCs they hold as a current asset until sold, recognise revenue when the sale to the trader is made, and show the amount due from the trader as a receivable. Your accountant and your accounting standards decide the detail.
- How to check an STC trader is legitimate (registered agent, ABN, track record)Check the trader's ABN on the Australian Business Register, confirm its status with the Clean Energy Regulator's registered agents information, ask for written terms, and look at its trading history and references. Be wary of rates far above the market and anything that cannot be written down.
- How to record STCs in Xero or MYOBSet up an STC income account and an STC clearing or receivable account, record each trader RCTI as a sale to the trader with the right GST code, then match the bank deposit to it. The steps are the same in Xero and MYOB; only the menu names differ.
- Is GST charged on the STC point-of-sale discount?Generally, the customer pays GST on the discounted price of the system the installer charges, and a household that is not in business makes no GST sale when it assigns its STCs. How the discount is shown on the invoice affects the GST, so confirm the treatment with your accountant or the ATO.
- Paid on submission, registration or settlement: when do you get your STC money?Traders pay at different points: on submission before the CER has registered the certificates, on registration, or on settlement when the certificates reach the trader. The earlier the payment, the more validation risk the trader carries, which can show up in the rate or the conditions.
- RCTIs for STC sales: how they work and how they differ from a tax invoiceA recipient created tax invoice (RCTI) is a tax invoice your STC trader raises on your behalf for the certificates you sell. Many traders issue them under a written RCTI agreement, so you do not send an invoice yourself. Both sides generally need to be registered for GST.
- Registered vs unregistered STC price: how traders price eachRegistered STCs have passed CER validation, so they carry less risk and are priced closer to the market. Unregistered STCs are still in the pipeline, so traders may pay less or add conditions to cover the chance the claim fails. The size of the gap is set by each trader.
- STC payment not received or paid late: what to do and how to chaseCheck the claim status in the REC Registry and your terms first, then contact your account manager in writing with the claim IDs and dates. Most late payments are a held claim or a detail mismatch. If it drags past your agreed terms, escalate in writing and keep records.
- STC payment terms: same day, 48 hours, 72 hours, 7 days or 30 days?STC traders offer payment terms from same day to 30 days or more. The headline matters less than what starts the clock: lodgement, registration or settlement. Shorter terms free up cash sooner, so read the trigger, the conditions and any rate trade-off before you compare.
- STC rate lock vs spot: which is better and what are the risks?A locked rate fixes what you are paid; spot-linked pricing moves with the market. With STC spot in a narrow band under the $40 Clearing House ceiling, locking usually costs little and buys certainty, but check what triggers the lock and what you give up.
- STC trader fees: per certificate, per job and minimum volumesTraders earn through a fee per certificate, a flat fee per job, a spread between buy and sell price, or a mix. Some also set minimum volumes. Compare the net amount you receive per job after every charge, not the headline rate.
- STC trader payment dispute: how to resolve it and when to take legal actionGather the agreement, claim records and correspondence, put your position in writing, then send a formal letter of demand. If that fails, the options include a tribunal or court claim and, for companies, a statutory demand. Get legal advice before you escalate. General information only.
- STC trader with no fees: what is the catch, and what is the spread?A trader with no fees earns from the spread: the gap between the rate it pays you and the price at which it sells certificates. That is fair if the rate is published and you can see it. The catch to look for is a low rate, slow payment or conditions that undo the saving.
- What are STC trader clawback terms and how do I check them?Clawback terms let an STC trader recover money it paid you if the certificates are later rejected, invalidated or removed from its account. Check the trigger, the time limit, whether you can fix the problem and whether the trader must prove the loss.
- What happens to your STCs if a trader goes into administration?Certificates still in your registry account are generally still yours. Certificates already transferred to the trader for payment you have not received make you an unsecured creditor of the company. Check registry status, stop lodging, contact the administrator and get legal advice quickly.
- What is an STC forward contract or 12-month price lock?An STC forward contract is an agreement to sell a set volume of certificates at a fixed price over a future period, such as 12 months. It removes price risk but also removes upside, and it can lock you in if the market or your volumes change.
- What is an STC remittance advice and what should it show?An STC remittance advice is the trader's statement of what a payment covers: which claims, how many certificates, the rate, any GST and any adjustments. It usually arrives by email with or just after the payment. Use it to match every deposit to your records.
- What is the onboarding checklist for a new STC trader?To onboard with an STC trader you will typically need your ABN and GST status, bank details, installer accreditation numbers, a signed RCTI agreement and the trader's terms. Then send one small test claim before moving volume.
- What should an STC trader portal, API and Xero integration include?A good STC trader portal lets you upload claims with photos, track status per job, download RCTIs and remittances and export data to your accounting software. API and Xero integration are useful at volume, but confirm what actually syncs before relying on them.
Traders, brokers, aggregators and portals
- Can I submit STC claims in batches or by bulk upload?Yes, most traders accept batch or bulk submission, typically a spreadsheet of job details plus individual photos and signed forms for each system. Each job is still checked on its own, so one bad row can hold up or fail a claim even inside a large batch.
- Do you need a licence to trade STCs, and is it regulated?There is no general trading licence for STCs. The Clean Energy Regulator regulates the certificate registry, registered persons and agents, and conduct is also covered by consumer and corporate law. Anyone lodging claims for others must be set up properly in the registry.
- How can an STC trader pay in 24 hours, and who does it?A trader pays in 24 hours by using its own working capital, checking claims before lodging so few fail, and settling from a bank account on a fixed schedule. It then recovers the money when STCs are registered and sold. Ask who carries the risk if a claim fails.
- How do I compare STC trading platforms in Australia?Compare STC platforms on six points: net rate after every deduction, when the rate locks, settlement time, whether batteries and hot water are supported, bulk upload tools, and whether claims are pre-checked. Features matter less than money in your account sooner.
- How do I get the best STC price as an installer?To get the best STC price, compare net rates after every fee, lodge clean claims, commit volume where it earns a better rate, ask for a locked price and fast settlement, and negotiate in writing. Volume helps, but a lower failure rate and shorter payment time often help more.
- How do I self-register and create STCs as an installer?To create STCs yourself, open a REC Registry account as a registered person, get the system owner's assignment, create the certificates with correct system details, wait for CER validation, then sell them. Expect fees, admin work and slower cash than selling through a trader.
- How do STC traders fund payments and make money?A trader pays installers for certificates, then sells them to liable entities at the Clearing House ceiling of $40 or on the spot market, and earns the gap. It funds the float from capital or credit and carries price, rejection and counterparty risk.
- How do you complain about or dispute an STC trader?Start with a written complaint under the trader's contract, then escalate to the Clean Energy Regulator if registry conduct is involved, to fair trading for misleading conduct, or to a state tribunal or court for unpaid money. Keep every contract, claim record and message.
- How do you spot an STC trader scam before you lodge claims?Warning signs are rates well above the market, pressure to lodge before you have seen terms, no clear contracting company, payments that slip, and refusal to say what happens on rejection. Check the ABN, read the contract and start with one claim before moving your book.
- How do you start an STC trading business in Australia?You need a business structure and ABN, a registered person account in the CER's REC Registry, enough capital to pay installers before you are paid, a buyer such as the Clearing House, and a compliance process to catch bad claims. Most new traders underestimate the capital and rejection risk.
- How long do STC aggregators take to pay?STC aggregators commonly pay on terms ranging from a few days to 30 days or more after a claim is lodged or validated, with payment often tied to a weekly or fortnightly batch. The real answer is in the contract: ask when the clock starts and when the rate is locked.
- If my STCs are rejected, who pays: the trader or me?It depends on the trader's contract. Before payment, a rejected claim is simply unpaid and you fix it. After payment, many traders reserve the right to recover the money. Read the recourse clause before you sign, and ask what happens at each stage.
- Is an STC a financial product, and does ASIC regulate STC trading?An STC is a certificate created under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act and is generally treated as personal property, not as a financial product. ASIC's remit can be engaged by derivatives, funds or advice built around certificates. Get legal advice for anything beyond simply buying and selling STCs.
- Is there an STC exchange or marketplace in Australia?Australia has no open STC exchange with a public order book. STCs trade over the counter between traders, brokers and retailers, or through the Clean Energy Regulator's STC Clearing House at a fixed $40 (excluding GST). Installers usually sell through a registered agent or trader.
- Should I self-register STCs or use a trader?Most installers are better off using a trader. Self-registering saves the trader's margin but costs registry fees, admin time, compliance risk and slower cash. It only tends to pay for high-volume installers with dedicated admin and the cash to wait for the clearing house or a buyer.
- STC aggregator vs trader vs registered agent: what is the difference?A registered agent is the legal role: someone registered with the CER to create STCs for others. 'Aggregator' and 'trader' are commercial labels. An aggregator pools many installers' claims, a direct trader buys and sells certificates on its own account, and many businesses do both.
- What are the REC Registry and CER fees for creating STCs?At the time of writing the CER charges about 47 cents per STC to create rooftop solar certificates (the first 250 free for a system owner), plus a one-off account fee of about $20 for a registered person or $230 for a registered agent. A $1.10 figure is not the STC creation fee.
- What fees do STC aggregators and brokers charge?STC aggregators and brokers earn through a spread below the market price, a per-certificate fee, a flat admin or subscription charge, or all three. Compare the net dollars per STC you receive after every deduction, not the headline rate.
- What if an STC is rejected or audited after the trader has paid?Check the trader's recourse clause. Many contracts let the trader recover payment if the Clean Energy Regulator later invalidates certificates, sometimes for a stated period such as 24 months. Also ask what audit support the trader provides, because the evidence you hold decides the outcome.
- What is a good STC trader price per certificate?A good STC trader price is a net rate close to the spot market (roughly $38 to $40 at the time of writing), with no extra fees, locked when you lodge and paid within days. What traders pay per certificate depends on settlement speed, volume and fees, so compare net outcomes, not headlines.
- What is an STC broker, and how is it different from a trader?An STC broker arranges deals between installers and certificate buyers and takes a commission, usually without owning the certificates. A trader buys and holds certificates on its own account. An aggregator pools many installers' claims. The word you hear matters less than who creates your STCs and who pays you.
- What is an STC trader's cut-off time?A cut-off time is the deadline by which a complete claim must reach a trader to be processed or priced that day. Miss it and the claim rolls to the next business day, which can change the rate and delay payment. Cut-offs vary by trader, so ask for yours in writing.
- What is STC pre-validation, and can a trader check my photos first?Pre-validation is a trader reviewing your photos, forms and serial numbers before the claim is lodged with the Clean Energy Regulator. It catches fixable errors while the job is fresh. It is a check, not a guarantee: only the regulator can approve a claim.
- What is the best price for registered and unregistered STCs?Registered STCs are already created and validated in the REC Registry, so buyers pay closer to spot. Unregistered STCs are still to be created, so the buyer takes on claim risk and pays a little less. The best price is the best net rate for your situation, locked and paid fast.
- Who issues the tax invoice when I sell STCs to a trader?In most trader arrangements the buyer issues a recipient-created tax invoice (RCTI) for the STCs it buys from you, under an agreement you both sign. You supply your ABN and GST status, and GST treatment depends on whether you are registered and what is being supplied. Confirm with your accountant.
- Who pays STCs fastest in Australia, and is instant payment real?Fast traders pay within one to a few business days of a clean claim; genuinely instant payout is rare because claims need checking first. Compare the real time from lodgement to cash, the cutoff time, and whether the rate is locked, not the headline.
- Why do some STC traders charge a fee per STC?Traders charge a per-STC fee to cover CER creation costs, compliance checks, admin and the risk of failed claims, instead of, or on top of, a spread below spot. It is a pricing choice, not a rule: some traders itemise it, some bury it in the rate, and some charge nothing.
- Why does my STC trader's price differ from the spot price?A trader's rate sits below the spot price because it covers margin, registry and compliance cost, failure risk and the cost of paying you before it is paid. A rate of $38 against spot near $39 or $40 is common, but how large the gap is, and what it buys you, is the real question.
LGCs, mid-scale and commercial solar
- Can I claim LGCs and STCs together on the same solar system?No. The same system cannot earn STCs and LGCs for the same electricity. Small-scale systems up to 100 kW create STCs upfront, systems from 100 kW to 1 MW installed from 1 October 2026 can create STCs under the mid-scale rule, and larger systems create LGCs as they generate.
- Can you claim renewable electricity under a PPA without retiring LGCs?No. Buying power from a solar farm under a PPA does not by itself give you the right to claim it as renewable. The claim comes from the certificates, so the LGCs must be transferred to you and voluntarily retired in your name.
- Do LGCs still exist after 2030 when the large-scale target ends?The Renewable Energy Target legislation runs to 2030 and has no scheduled extension at the time of writing, so compulsory demand for LGCs ends once the last liability is met. Voluntary demand and the Guarantee of Origin scheme may carry some value, but plan on LGC income winding down.
- How does the LGC registry transfer and sale process work?You create LGCs in the REC Registry, agree a price with a buyer, then transfer the certificates to the buyer's registry account. Payment is normally made against the transfer, and a broker or trader can handle the paperwork.
- How many LGCs does a 100 kW solar system create, and what are they worth?A well-sited 100 kW system generates roughly 130 to 160 MWh a year, so about 130 to 160 LGCs, worth roughly $800 to $1,400 a year at a spot of $6 to $9. But a system of 100 kW or under is small-scale and creates STCs, not LGCs.
- How many STCs does mid-scale solar (100 kW to 1 MW) create?A mid-scale system creates STCs equal to its kW capacity multiplied by the postcode zone rating and a fixed five years. A 500 kW system in a zone 3 city makes about 3,455 STCs, roughly $131,000 to $138,000 at current spot, from systems installed from 1 October 2026.
- How much LGC revenue does a 200 kW rooftop system earn, and what is payback?A 200 kW rooftop might generate roughly 260 to 300 MWh a year, so about 260 to 300 LGCs, worth roughly $1,600 to $2,700 a year at $6 to $9. Bill savings are far larger. From 1 October 2026 an upfront mid-scale STC claim can shorten payback more than LGCs ever did.
- How often can you create LGCs: monthly, quarterly or annually?LGCs are created after the electricity is generated and metered, and must be created by 31 December of the year after generation. Within that window many owners create monthly or quarterly for cash flow, while others do it once a year to save time.
- Is a 100 kW solar system eligible for LGCs or STCs?A solar system up to 100 kW creates STCs. From 1 October 2026, solar above 100 kW up to 1 MW also creates STCs, with a fixed five-year deeming period. Only systems above 1 MW remain on LGCs, so there is no longer a strong reason to cap a build at 100 kW.
- Is an LGC worthwhile for a solar farm under 1 MW?Mostly not now. Systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW installed from 1 October 2026 create STCs with a fixed five-year deeming period, which avoids accreditation and metering. LGCs also trade at about $6 to $9 in 2026, so fixed costs hurt small stations.
- Is behind-the-meter solar eligible for LGCs?Yes, behind-the-meter solar can create LGCs when it is accredited as a power station, but only above 1 MW now. Systems up to 100 kW create STCs, and from 1 October 2026 so do systems above 100 kW up to 1 MW.
- LGC vs STC cash flow for solar installers: which pays faster?STCs pay at or soon after installation because the generation is deemed upfront, so they fit an installer's cash cycle. LGCs arrive after the electricity is generated, usually owned by the system owner, not you. From 1 October 2026 mid-scale solar can use STCs, which helps installers on larger jobs.
- What are solar PPA rates per kWh in Australia?Commercial solar PPA rates in Australia are commonly quoted at roughly 10 to 16 cents per kWh in 2026, usually fixed or indexed over 10 to 20 years and below the grid tariff. Rates depend on site, size, term and who keeps the certificates.
- What are the finance options for commercial solar?Businesses typically choose between paying cash, an equipment loan or chattel mortgage, a lease, or a PPA where a third party owns the system. The right choice depends on tax position, balance sheet and who should hold the certificates.
- What are the metering data requirements for LGCs?LGCs are created from metered generation. The CER expects revenue-grade meters that capture the energy generated and consumed in intervals of 30 minutes or less, and the metering arrangement is assessed before the power station is accredited.
- What are the power station accreditation requirements for a solar farm?To create LGCs, a solar farm must be accredited as a power station with the Clean Energy Regulator. It needs eligible technology, site control, a compliant metering arrangement, an assessed baseline if applicable, and the owner must be a fit and proper person.
- What do installers need to claim STCs on mid-scale solar?The mid-scale STC rules start from 1 October 2026 with CER applications opening in mid to late November. Expect the same core duties as small-scale work: accredited, competent installers, approved equipment and strong evidence. Confirm the final CER requirements and your trader's process before you quote.
- What does power station accreditation cost and how long does it take?The CER charges a power station application fee that starts at about $50 for smaller stations under 10 MW with a default or nil baseline, plus a small per-LGC fee. Timing depends on how complete your application is, so expect weeks, not days, and check the CER fees page for current amounts.
- What does the LGC forward curve look like to 2030?At the time of writing, LGC spot is roughly $6 to $9 (September 2026) after a low near $4 in February, and forward prices to 2030 sit low because supply exceeds the shrinking obligation. Forward quotes are an indication from brokers, not a promise.
- What fees and commissions apply to LGCs for small generators?Expect CER accreditation and per-certificate fees, metering and data costs, and a broker or trader margin or commission on the sale. With LGCs at roughly $6 to $9 in 2026, fixed costs can consume a large share of revenue for a small generator.
- What is LGC surrender and retailer liability, and who pays?Electricity retailers and other liable entities must surrender enough LGCs each year to cover a set percentage of the electricity they buy. If they fall short they pay a shortfall charge. The cost of buying certificates is built into retail prices, so customers pay it indirectly.
- What is the LGC spot price this month?Verified LGC spot was roughly $6 to $9 in September 2026, after a low near $4 in February and about $11 at the start of Q4 2025. The market is oversupplied. Treat any figure as a range and check a live broker quote before you price a deal.
- What is the REGO scheme and how does it work in Australia?REGO stands for Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin. It is a certificate under the federal Guarantee of Origin scheme that proves one megawatt-hour of renewable electricity was generated, and it is intended to carry on voluntary renewable claims once the LGC scheme winds down.
- What rebate can a solar system just over 100 kW get?Systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW installed from 1 October 2026 can create STCs with a fixed five-year deeming period, instead of waiting years for LGCs. Below 100 kW nothing changes, and above 1 MW the system remains in the LGC scheme.
- When does the SRES 1 MW expansion start, and are the regulations in place?The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme now covers solar above 100 kW up to 1 MW for systems installed from 1 October 2026. The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations have been amended, and the CER says STC applications open in mid to late November 2026.
- Who buys LGCs from small solar farms and commercial rooftops?LGCs are bought by liable entities such as electricity retailers, by certificate traders and brokers who aggregate them, and by PPA counterparties who take the certificates with the power. Small owners usually sell through a trader or broker rather than directly to a retailer.
- Who owns the LGCs under a solar PPA?It depends on the PPA. LGCs are separate from the electricity, so the contract must say who gets them. Usually the owner of the accredited power station creates them, then either keeps them or transfers them to the offtaker as part of the deal.
NSW ESS and PDRS (ESCs and PRCs)
- BESS1 suspended: what does it mean, and what is BESS2?BESS1, the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme's upfront home battery incentive, has been suspended from 1 July 2025, so new installs no longer create PRCs under it. BESS2, the incentive for connecting a battery to a virtual power plant, continues alongside the federal STC discount.
- Can renters or strata owners get the NSW battery rebate?A renter cannot claim a NSW battery incentive alone, because the incentive follows whoever owns and has approval for the installed system. A strata lot owner needs owners corporation approval, and common-property batteries are a separate case. Check current PDRS rules before committing.
- Can you claim STCs and ESCs on a NSW heat pump, and how much is the discount?In NSW, a qualifying heat pump water heater can earn federal STCs and NSW ESCs on the same installation, provided the model is on both the Clean Energy Regulator and NSW approved product lists. The discount is typically hundreds of dollars per scheme, varying with the model and the date.
- Can you stack PDRS incentives with STCs for a battery in NSW?Yes. A battery can create federal STCs under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program and a NSW PDRS incentive for connecting it to an eligible VPP. They are different certificates with different rules, so each claim needs its own evidence. An existing battery may still qualify for the VPP incentive.
- Do NSW ESCs still support gas-to-electric conversion?Partly. NSW Energy Savings Scheme incentives for new gas boilers, gas-boosted water heaters and gas space heaters ended for activities after 30 June 2026, while electric options such as heat pump hot water continue, with new product warranty rules. Check the current ESS rules before quoting.
- How are ESCs created, which activities qualify and what about lighting?An Accredited Certificate Provider creates ESCs when an eligible energy-saving activity is carried out in NSW. Savings are calculated under a scheme method, such as deemed savings or Project Impact Assessment with Measurement and Verification, with one ESC per tonne of CO2-e. Standard commercial lighting upgrades stopped from 1 April 2026.
- How are NSW ESCs for commercial lighting calculated?There is no single NSW commercial lighting rate. ESCs are calculated from the lighting method: the energy saved against a baseline, over the activity's lifetime, so floor area, hours and fitting type all matter. Your payment per ESC then depends on the market.
- How are PRCs created under the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme?An Accredited Certificate Provider creates PRCs when an eligible activity reduces demand during the peak window of 2.30pm to 8.30pm AEST from 1 November to 31 March. A PRC represents 0.1 kW of available peak reduction, calculated over 10 years. Activities include efficient air conditioners, pool pumps and battery VPP connection.
- How do refrigeration upgrades earn ESCs or PRCs in NSW?NSW has refrigeration activities that create certificates, including removing a spare fridge or freezer and replacing a commercial refrigerated cabinet with a high-efficiency one. Which certificate you get, ESCs or PRCs, and whether an activity is currently open depends on the NSW rules at the time.
- How does the ESS HVAC upgrade activity create ESCs in NSW?In NSW, the Energy Savings Scheme creates Energy Savings Certificates (ESCs) for replacing or upgrading commercial heating and cooling with high-efficiency equipment. An Accredited Certificate Provider creates the certificates, and the value depends on the activity, the equipment and the energy saved.
- How does the PDRS air conditioner activity create PRCs in NSW?Under the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme, installing or replacing an air conditioner with a high-efficiency model can create Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs) through activities known as HVAC1 and HVAC2. An accredited certificate provider creates them, and the number depends on capacity and efficiency.
- How does the PDRS pool pump activity create PRCs?Installing a new high-efficiency pool pump, or replacing an existing one, at a NSW home or small business can create Peak Reduction Certificates under the PDRS pool pump activity (SYS2). The pump must meet the activity's efficiency requirements and an Accredited Certificate Provider handles the claim.
- Is there a NSW PDRS activity for induction cooktops?NSW rewards swapping gas cooking for induction through the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme, which creates Peak Reduction Certificates through an accredited provider, and induction cooktops are also an eligible upgrade under the NSW Home Energy Saver loan. Check the activity rules before you quote.
- Is there a NSW zero interest loan for solar and batteries in 2026?Yes. The NSW Home Energy Saver program, reported to have launched on 17 June 2026, offers zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 over 10 years to households with combined taxable income of $210,000 or less, for solar, batteries and other upgrades. Federal STCs reduce the price first.
- What are BESS3, BESS4 and BESS5 for commercial batteries in NSW?From 1 September 2026, NSW's Peak Demand Reduction Scheme adds BESS3 for apartment buildings, BESS4 for small and medium businesses (reported at about 20 to 200 kWh) and BESS5 for commercial and industrial sites (200 kWh up to 30,000 kWh, with the incentive on the first 10,000 kWh).
- What are PIAM&V and the metered baseline method in the NSW ESS?Both are NSW Energy Savings Scheme methods that create ESCs from measured savings rather than deemed ones. PIAM&V measures a project's impact by comparing energy use before and after, and the metered baseline method uses metered data to set the baseline for a site's energy use.
- What are the NSW ESS audit requirements for installers?Under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, audits focus on the Accredited Certificate Provider, but installers supply the evidence they check: product details, installation photos, customer consent and dates. Missing or inconsistent evidence can mean certificates are removed and the value recovered along the chain.
- What do NSW Accredited Certificate Providers charge and how fast do they pay?There is no standard NSW ACP fee. Providers typically take a share of the certificate value, a per-certificate charge or a flat fee per job, and payment can run from days to several weeks depending on registry steps and the buyer. Get both in writing before the first job.
- What does IPART ESS compliance involve for NSW providers?IPART is the NSW Energy Savings Scheme administrator. Accredited Certificate Providers must follow the scheme rules, keep evidence for every activity, and expect audits and possible penalties or deregistration. Compliance sits with the provider that creates the certificates.
- What is an ESC in NSW, and what is the ESC price today?An ESC is a certificate under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, representing one tonne of CO2-e of energy savings. Reported spot was about $29 in late September 2026. There is no official price; it is set by trading between accredited providers and retailers.
- What is peak demand reduction capacity under the PDRS?Peak demand reduction capacity is the amount of electricity demand, in kilowatts, that an upgrade or action takes off the grid during peak periods. The NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme turns that capacity into Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs), rather than counting total energy saved.
- What is the ESC price this month in NSW?NSW ESC spot has been reported at roughly $29 in September 2026, trading between about $28.75 and $29.50. Prices move daily and traders pay below spot, so check a current published rate before you quote or commit.
- What is the NSW commercial battery rebate under PDRS from 1 September 2026?From 1 September 2026 the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme adds commercial battery activities (BESS3, BESS4 and BESS5) that create PRCs for eligible apartment buildings, businesses and industrial sites. Batteries must be installed on or after that date, and the amount depends on the system design.
- What is the NSW ESS target, penalty and end date?The NSW Energy Savings Scheme sets an annual energy-savings target that electricity retailers meet by surrendering ESCs, with a shortfall penalty for any gap. The scheme is legislated to run to 2050. Check IPART for the current target percentage and penalty rate.
- What is the NSW Home Energy Saver Program discount in 2026?The NSW Home Energy Saver has a zero-interest loan of up to $15,000 that opened on 17 June 2026, and a separate discount of up to $4,000, reported as opening later in 2026 for lower-income households. Both are separate from ESC and PRC discounts and federal STCs.
- What is the PRC price today in NSW?Peak Reduction Certificates traded at about $3 in 2026 (reported), far below ESCs at about $29 and STCs at about $38 to $40. There is no official price. PRCs come from the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme and are mainly created for batteries and cooling or heating upgrades.
- Why is the PDRS peak period 2:30pm to 8:30pm?The NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme counts reductions between 2:30pm and 8:30pm because that is when summer demand peaks: air conditioning, cooking and lighting overlap just as solar output fades. A battery that discharges in that window earns PRCs.
Hot water and heat pump STCs
- Can heat pump STCs be claimed on a new build, granny flat or rental?Yes, in most cases. STC eligibility follows the registered heat pump model and the installation, not the type of building. New builds, granny flats and rentals can qualify, while commercial sites are limited by the model's size and listing.
- Can you claim STCs and VEECs on the same heat pump?Often yes in Victoria, but only if the product and install meet both programs' rules. STCs come from the federal small-scale scheme and VEECs from Victorian Energy Upgrades, so confirm each separately before promising a stacked discount.
- Can you stack heat pump STCs and ESCs in NSW?Often, yes. A NSW heat pump can earn federal STCs and, where the activity qualifies, ESCs under the Energy Savings Scheme. Whether both apply depends on the product, the method and the current rules, so check each scheme before quoting.
- Do gas boosted, electric storage and instantaneous hot water earn STCs?Gas boosted solar hot water systems can earn STCs if the solar water heater model is registered. Standard electric storage and instantaneous gas or electric systems do not, because the federal scheme covers solar water heaters and air source heat pumps only.
- Do heat pump STCs reduce every year? The 10-year deeming mythYes. The regulator's register works from a 10-year system life, but the STC count is then scaled by a factor tied to the install year: 0.5 for 2026, 0.4 for 2027, 0.3, 0.2 and 0.1 to 2030. So a heat pump or solar water heater earns fewer STCs each January until the scheme ends.
- Do heat pump suppliers and wholesalers offer an STC discount?Some suppliers and wholesalers offer to take the STC assignment, claim the certificates and discount the stock price. It can help cash flow, but you give up the certificate value, so compare the net cost against selling to a trader yourself.
- Do you need a plumbing compliance certificate for heat pump STCs?Where your state requires a plumbing compliance certificate for the work, include it in the claim evidence. Victoria, NSW and Queensland each use their own form and lodgement system, so match the certificate to the job's address and date.
- Heat pump hot water STCs by zone: zone 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5For heat pump hot water systems the Clean Energy Regulator uses five postcode zones, based on regional climate. Zone 1 to zone 5 each give the same registered model a different STC count, so look up your postcode zone and then the model's entry on the regulator's register.
- Heat pump rebates in QLD, SA, WA, Tas, ACT and NT in 2026In every state and territory the federal STC discount applies to eligible heat pumps. Queensland, WA, Tasmania and the NT have no widely available dedicated heat pump certificate scheme in 2026, while SA and the ACT run their own programs. Check each scheme's official page.
- How does the STC discount show on a heat pump quote?The STC discount is a line that reduces your price, because you assign the certificates to the installer. It is lower than expected when the certificate count, zone, installation type or assumed STC price is different from what you were told.
- How long do you have to claim STCs on a heat pump?STCs generally must be created within 12 months of the installation date. Lodge much sooner, because the certificate count depends on the deeming period, which shortens each year, and old jobs are harder to evidence.
- How many STCs does a heat pump hot water system get in 2026 and 2027?There is no single number. A heat pump's STCs come from its registered model, your postcode zone and the install year, and the count is usually in the tens. The install-year factor is 0.5 in 2026 and 0.4 in 2027, so the same unit earns about a fifth fewer STCs next year.
- How many STCs does a solar hot water system get? Tank size and zonesA solar water heater's STC count comes from its registered model, one of four postcode zones and the install year, with a factor of 0.5 for 2026. Tank size has no direct formula: bigger systems tend to register more energy, but the register entry for the exact model is what counts.
- How much does a heat pump hot water system cost after STCs?After the STC discount, an installed heat pump commonly lands in the low-to-mid thousands, but the number depends on the model, size, zone, install complexity and any state discount. The STC count is set by the model and your climate zone, and shows as a line on your quote.
- How to check hot water STC eligibility using the CER registerSearch the Clean Energy Regulator's register of solar water heaters for the exact model, then read the STC figure for your zone and install date. If the model is not listed it is not eligible, whatever the brand. Ask the manufacturer or supplier whether a registration is pending.
- How to start a heat pump installation business and make STCs payYou need the plumbing and electrical licences your state requires, a source of registered heat pump models, a repeatable STC claim process and enough working capital to fund the discount until certificates settle. Margin comes from the install, not the certificate.
- Is a replacement heat pump eligible for STCs?Yes. A registered air source heat pump that replaces an existing electric or gas hot water system can earn STCs, the same as a new installation. The claim must record the install type correctly and show evidence of the old system, and the count falls each January to 2030.
- Is the heat pump STC discount going down in 2027 and when does it end?Yes, the number of STCs per install falls each year because certificates are created up front to the end of the scheme on 31 December 2030. There is no cliff on 1 January 2027, but each install year earns somewhat fewer certificates until the scheme ends.
- Solar hot water vs heat pump: which earns more STCs?Neither earns more by type. STCs come from each model's registered figure, your zone and the install year, and both follow the same 2026 to 2030 step-down. Solar water heaters use four zones and a 700 litre limit, heat pumps five zones and a 425 litre limit, so compare registered models, not categories.
- What are heat pump STC clawbacks, audits and fraud risks?A clawback happens when certificates already paid for are found invalid, usually after an audit of evidence, eligibility or the install. Honest errors cost money and time. Deliberate false claims are fraud and carry serious penalties.
- What licence or accreditation do you need to install heat pumps for STCs?Heat pump and solar hot water STCs are tied to being correctly licensed under state rules, usually a plumbing licence plus electrical work by a licensed electrician. CEC and SAA solar accreditation is not the test for hot water, though it matters for PV and batteries.
- What paperwork does a plumber need for heat pump STCs?A plumber needs a signed STC assignment form from the owner, the state plumbing compliance certificate, an invoice with the serial number, and a photo set. Collect the form before or at install, and lodge within 12 months.
- What photos and serial numbers do heat pump STC claims need?Photograph the installed unit, the data plate, the serial number on the tank and outdoor unit, the install location, and the old system before removal. The serial in the photo must match the serial on the claim exactly.
- Which heat pumps are eligible for STCs? Size limits, zones and brandsNo, not every heat pump is eligible. An air source heat pump water heater must be on the Clean Energy Regulator's register, be under 425 litres, be new equipment and be installed by an eligible installer. Large commercial units usually fall outside the federal STC scheme, and zone 5 is eligible like any other zone.
- Who buys heat pump STCs and how fast do traders pay installers?Registered certificate traders and aggregators buy heat pump STCs, and many ultimately sell to liable energy retailers. Payment time ranges from a day to several weeks depending on the trader's terms and whether your claim passes checks first time.
STC compliance, audits, clawbacks and fraud
- Can a homeowner be liable for STC fraud if they sign a form without an install?A homeowner who knowingly signs an assignment form for an installation that did not occur, or lets someone claim on their property, can be exposed to enforcement action. Installers and retailers carry the heavier responsibility.
- Does AS/NZS 5033 affect STC eligibility, and what counts as non-compliant?Yes. Small-scale solar must be installed to the relevant standards, including AS/NZS 5033 for the PV array, to be eligible. DC isolator labelling and shutdown arrangements are common audit failures, usually fixed by rectification.
- How do AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 4777 inverter settings affect STCs?Solar systems must comply with AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules and AS/NZS 4777 grid connection requirements to be eligible. Wrong inverter settings or non-compliant wiring can fail an audit, even if the panels and paperwork are fine.
- How do installers lose accreditation and get it reinstated?Accreditation can be suspended or cancelled for serious or repeated non-compliance, falsified evidence, or failing to respond to notices. Reinstatement means serving the suspension, fixing the cause and applying to Solar Accreditation Australia.
- How do SAA complaints work and what is the installer code of conduct?Complaints about an accredited installer go to Solar Accreditation Australia, which assesses them, may ask you to respond and rectify, and can apply demerit points or suspension. The code of conduct sets the standard for honest dealing and quality.
- How do you report STC fraud or a dodgy solar installer to CER?Report suspected STC fraud to the Clean Energy Regulator through its online reporting tool, which allows anonymous reports, or by email to referrals@cer.gov.au or phone on 1300 553 542. Include names, dates, addresses and what you saw, and report safety issues to your state electrical regulator.
- How does the CER check solar photos, geolocation and AI review?Photos must carry time, date and location metadata and show the required items. The Clean Energy Regulator monitors onsite verification photos and uses AI to review battery labelling, so staged, reused or untagged images are likely to be caught.
- How does the CER choose which solar installs to audit?The Clean Energy Regulator uses data and risk indicators, not a random draw alone, to choose jobs for checking or inspection. Patterns in photos, timing, serials, installer history and complaints raise a claim's risk.
- Is there a same-day limit or distance rule for STC installers?There is no single distance rule, but an accredited installer has to be on site during setup, mid-installation and commissioning. A day that makes that physically impossible, or exceeds accreditation limits on daily installs, invites an audit.
- Is there insurance against STC clawbacks for solar installers?There is no standard, widely sold insurance that covers the loss when CER invalidates STCs after payment. Professional indemnity and other policies may respond in narrow cases, so the practical protection is good records, a careful trader contract and cash reserves.
- STC compliance checklist, training and software for solar installersSTC compliance comes down to eight things: accredited people on site, approved products, correct installation type, complete photos, accurate serials, signed assignment, dates that agree, and records kept. Training and software help only if they enforce those checks on every job.
- What are a registered agent's obligations, audits and suspension risks?A registered agent creates STCs for system owners and must meet the fit and proper person test, hold valid authority, keep records and cooperate with Clean Energy Regulator audits. Breaches can lead to suspension, as with the former Greenbot platform.
- What are phantom installations and STC claims for systems that don't exist?A phantom installation is an STC claim for a system that was never installed, or not installed as stated. It is fraud, it is actively hunted by the Clean Energy Regulator and installers have been convicted for it, with reported cases involving more than a thousand STCs.
- What are the CER's solar and battery compliance priorities for 2026?In 2026 the Clean Energy Regulator is focused on incomplete or falsely declared installs, fake onsite verification photos, battery labelling and photo evidence, and suspending businesses that fail the fit and proper person test.
- What are the penalties for fake photos or false statutory declarations?Fake photos or a false statutory declaration can bring a criminal conviction, fines, community orders, loss of accreditation and registration, and repayment of the STCs. Reported outcomes include a $10,000 fine and community correction orders.
- What counts as STC fraud in Australia, and what are the common examples?STC fraud means creating or claiming certificates for systems that were not installed as stated, using false photos, declarations or ownership details. Typical examples are phantom installs, claims by installers who were not on site, duplicate claims and fabricated evidence.
- What happens if STCs are claimed twice for the same system or address?A system can only create STCs once. A second claim for the same system, usually caught by matching serial numbers and addresses, is rejected or invalidated. A second claim at the same address is allowed only if it is a genuinely separate or additional system.
- What happens in a CER site inspection of a solar install?CER runs physical inspections of small-scale solar and battery installations to check they exist, match the claim and meet safety and installation standards. A failed inspection can lead to STCs being invalidated, rectification work and referral to other regulators.
- What happens to STCs if a solar install fails an audit or has defects?If an audit finds a system does not meet the standards or the claim details, the certificates can be invalidated and the value recovered. Rectifying the defect may restore compliance, but whether the STCs can be reinstated depends on the finding.
- What is an SAA installer audit and what are the requirements?Solar Accreditation Australia audits accredited installers by reviewing job documentation and sometimes inspecting installations. Results can be a pass, a request to fix, or accreditation action such as demerit points or suspension.
- What must a solar retailer do under the CER, and what are the penalties?A retailer must give the customer a written statement for each solar or battery system and make sure its content is true. False or misleading statements can lead to suspension, bans and civil penalties from the Clean Energy Regulator.
- What to expect from a CER audit letter or compliance noticeA CER audit letter or compliance notice asks you to produce records for specific installations by a set date, typically photos, declarations, equipment details and the assignment form. Respond in full and on time, because the outcome decides whether the STCs stand.
- When does CER suspend a solar installer or registered person?CER can suspend a registered person who is no longer fit and proper, for example after ignoring a statutory notice, making false or misleading statements or ceasing to exist as a legal entity. A suspended person cannot create STCs, and you should check status before assigning.
- Who is responsible for STC compliance: installer, subcontractor or retailer?The accredited installer is responsible for the installation and their declaration, the retailer for the sale and the retailer written statement, and the claimant for the certificates created. A subcontract does not move the installer's own accountability.
- Who pays when CER takes back or invalidates STCs after payment?CER invalidates the STCs in the registry and holds the registered person accountable. Who ultimately pays is set by your contract with the trader or agent, and most contracts allow the trader to recover the value from the installer by offset or invoice.
STC by system type, site and ownership
- Are STCs available for off-grid solar and stand-alone power systems?Yes. An off-grid solar system (a stand-alone power system, or SAPS) can create STCs on the same formula as a grid-connected one, provided it is under 100 kW, uses CEC-approved products and is designed and installed by an installer with the right SAA accreditation.
- Can a granny flat get its own solar STCs?Yes. A granny flat or secondary dwelling can have its own solar system that earns STCs, treated as an additional system at the same address, as long as the combined capacity stays under 100 kW and the products are approved.
- Can caravan, motorhome and tiny home solar earn STCs?Sometimes. The Clean Energy Regulator allows off-grid systems in transportable units such as caravans and tiny homes to count consumption inside the unit as generation at the premises, but the system still needs approved products and an SAA-accredited installer. Most DIY caravan kits do not qualify.
- Can you claim solar STCs on a heritage-listed home?Yes. A heritage listing does not make a system ineligible for STCs, but it can restrict where panels go and require council or heritage approval before installation. If the install proceeds with an accredited installer, the STC claim is the same as for any other home.
- Can you claim STCs for adding panels to an existing solar system?Yes, for the added capacity. An extension to an existing system can earn STCs on the new panels if the new panels and the inverter are approved, the inverter can handle the extra load and the total capacity stays under 100 kW. The existing panels do not earn again.
- Can you claim STCs on second-hand or refurbished solar panels?Generally no. STCs are for new, Clean Energy Council approved components. Panels that have already been installed, or that previously received STCs, are not eligible again, and refurbished panels carry the same problem. Confirm edge cases with the CER.
- Can you claim STCs when replacing or upgrading a solar inverter?Not for the inverter on its own. An inverter swap does not create new generation capacity, so there are no new STCs. If you add panels as part of the upgrade, the extra capacity can earn STCs, and the inverter must be on the Clean Energy Council approved list at that date.
- Can you get battery STCs when retrofitting a battery to existing solar?Yes. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program works with new or existing solar, so a retrofit battery can earn STCs if it is a CEC-approved, VPP-capable battery, installed by an accredited installer, between 5 and 100 kWh usable, one per property, with up to 50 kWh eligible.
- Can you get solar STCs when adding solar to an existing battery?Yes. A new solar system added to a property that already has a battery earns solar STCs on the usual formula. The existing battery earns nothing further, and a battery installed before 1 July 2025 was never eligible for the federal battery STCs.
- Can you get STCs for a second solar system on the same property or roof?Yes. A second system at the same address, including on the same roof, can earn STCs as an additional system if it uses new approved components, is installed by an accredited installer and the combined capacity of all systems at the address is under 100 kW.
- Do churches, schools, councils and not-for-profits get solar STCs?Yes. The STC scheme is based on the system, not the organisation, so a church, school, council or not-for-profit earns STCs on solar up to 100 kW like any home or business. The practical differences are who owns the system, ABN and GST handling, and internal approvals.
- Do DC-coupled, AC-coupled and battery-only installs earn STCs?Yes. Under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program the coupling method does not decide eligibility. A DC-coupled, AC-coupled or stand-alone battery all earn STCs if the battery is CEC-approved, VPP-capable, 5 to 100 kWh usable and fitted by an accredited installer.
- Do farms, dairies, vineyards and remote sites get solar STCs?Yes. Farm, dairy, vineyard, homestead and camp solar can earn STCs up to 100 kW, and from 1 October 2026 systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW can earn STCs with a fixed five-year deeming period. There is no separate agricultural rebate in the federal scheme.
- Do ground mount, tracking, flat roof and tilt frame solar systems get STCs?Yes. How panels are mounted (ground, tracker, flat roof or tilt frame) does not change STC eligibility or the number of certificates. The usual tests apply: approved products, an accredited installer, under 100 kW and correct evidence.
- Do mobile homes, cabins and caravan parks get solar STCs?Solar on a transportable home, cabin or caravan park can earn STCs if the system is permanently installed at a fixed site by an accredited installer using approved products. Portable or vehicle-mounted kits are generally not eligible, so check the specifics with CER.
- Do sheds and detached garages qualify for solar STCs?Often yes. A solar system on a shed or detached garage can earn STCs when it is a genuine small generation unit with approved products and an accredited installer. The sticking points are whether the system supplies a real load and whether the structure is a building, so confirm unusual cases with the CER.
- Do solar bore pumps, water pumps and irrigation systems get STCs?A dedicated solar pump wired directly to its panels generally does not create STCs, but a normal solar system that feeds a switchboard which also runs pumps or irrigation can. Confirm unusual designs with the Clean Energy Regulator before installing.
- Do you get STCs again when replacing solar panels or an old system?It depends on how much you replace. A full replacement with new approved components, with the old system decommissioned, can qualify as a replacement system. Swapping panels that previously received STCs generally does not earn new certificates, apart from any added capacity.
- Do you get STCs when solar is replaced after hail damage or insurance?Usually not for a like-for-like panel swap, because panels that previously received STCs are not eligible again. If the whole system is destroyed and replaced with new approved components, it may qualify as a replacement system. Check the CER rules and the insurance terms.
- How do STCs work for commercial solar under 100 kW?Commercial solar up to 100 kW earns small-scale technology certificates in the same way as a home system: kW multiplied by the zone rating and the deeming years. A 99 kW system in zone 3 installed in 2026 creates about 684 STCs, worth roughly $26,000 to $27,000 at spot.
- How do STCs work for solar on a new build or new home?A solar system on a new build earns STCs on the same formula as any other, but it is claimed as a new installation and must be installed by an accredited installer. Owner-builders can own the system and the STCs, but they cannot self-install for STCs unless accredited.
- Who claims the STCs for solar on a rental or investment property?The STCs belong to the owner of the solar system, which in a rental is normally the landlord. A tenant can only claim them if the landlord agrees in writing that the tenant owns the system, and the claim must still be signed by the system owner.
- Who gets the STCs for solar on a strata building or apartment block?For solar on strata common property, the owners corporation (body corporate) owns the system and so owns the STCs, usually assigning them to a registered agent for an upfront discount. Systems up to 100 kW earn STCs under the standard formula.
STC price history, forecasts and clearing house
- How do you buy STCs from the Clearing House?Anyone with a registered person or registered agent account in the REC Registry and Clearing House access can buy STCs from the transfer list at $40 ex GST. Most buyers are electricity retailers meeting their surrender obligation.
- How do you sell STCs through the Clearing House, and what does it cost?You need Clearing House access on your REC Registry account, then list validated STCs onto the transfer list. They sell at $40 ex GST, first in, first out, as buyers purchase. Timing is not guaranteed, and you should check the current fee information first.
- How does the Cheaper Home Batteries Program affect STC prices?The Cheaper Home Batteries Program, from 1 July 2025, creates STCs for eligible batteries, which adds supply to a market that was already capped at $40. Heavy uptake can push spot a little lower and lengthen the Clearing House queue, though the shrinking factor schedule limits the effect over time.
- How long does the STC Clearing House take to pay?There is no guaranteed time. STCs on the Clearing House transfer list sell first in, first out as buyers purchase, so the wait depends on how many certificates are ahead of yours. The Clean Energy Regulator updates the list status hourly.
- Is the STC price $40 including GST or excluding GST?The $40 Clearing House price is excluding GST. If you are registered for GST, 10 per cent is added on top, so the buyer pays $44 and you remit the $4 to the ATO. If you are not registered, no GST is added.
- Is the STC price going up or down in 2026?At the time of writing STC spot has been roughly $38 to $40 in 2026, trading in a tight band under the $40 ceiling. Battery certificates add supply, while the shortening deeming period reduces it, so the trend is flat to slightly soft rather than a clear move either way.
- STC price forecast for 2028, 2029 and 2030: what can we say?No reliable price forecast exists for 2028 to 2030. What we can say is that the $40 Clearing House ceiling limits upside, certificate volumes per system fall as the deeming period shortens, and the scheme ends on 31 December 2030, so the main risk is oversupply, not a spike.
- STC price history: how much were STCs worth from 2019 to 2026?From 2019 to 2026 the STC spot price has mostly stayed in the high $30s, capped by the $40 Clearing House ceiling, with brief dips below. At the time of writing it has been roughly $38 to $40. For exact daily history, use the Clean Energy Regulator's quarterly carbon market reports.
- STC price vs LGC, VEEC and ESC prices: how do they compare?At the time of writing STCs trade roughly $38 to $40, LGCs roughly $6 to $9, and VEECs roughly $85 to $95. NSW ESCs and PRCs have their own markets. Each certificate has a different unit, buyer and scheme, so you cannot compare the numbers directly.
- STC spot price vs Clearing House price: what is the difference?The Clearing House price is a fixed $40 set in law, available to buyers through a regulator-run queue. The STC spot price is what certificates actually trade for on the open market, usually a little below $40, and it moves daily.
- What are the highest and lowest STC prices ever?The practical high is $40 ex GST, the Clearing House price that caps the market. Spot prices have come close, such as $39.40 in September 2013. The reported historic low is in the high teens a certificate, from the scheme's early years, though sources differ.
- What does a surplus or deficit mean at the STC Clearing House?A surplus means more STCs are waiting on the Clearing House transfer list than buyers are purchasing, so sellers queue. A deficit is the reverse: buyers want certificates faster than the list supplies them. Either way the price stays fixed at $40 ex GST.
- What drives STC prices? Supply and demand explainedSTC prices are driven by how many certificates installers create (supply), how many retailers must surrender (demand, set by the small-scale technology percentage), and the $40 Clearing House ceiling. Policy changes and installation volumes move the gap below $40.
- What is the small-scale technology percentage (STP)?The small-scale technology percentage (STP) is the share of the electricity that liable entities, mainly retailers, buy that must be covered by STCs each year. It sets demand for certificates. For 2026 it is 11.67 per cent.
- What was the average STC price in 2025, and where did it end the year?STCs traded close to the $40 Clearing House ceiling through 2025, for example $39.95 in late May. A precise annual average depends on the data source, so check the Clean Energy Regulator's quarterly reports. By 2026 the spot market was roughly $38 to $40.
- Where can I find the daily or weekly STC spot price in Australia?Daily STC spot prices are quoted by certificate brokers and some trader websites, and weekly or quarterly averages appear in broker updates and Clean Energy Regulator reports. At the time of writing spot has been roughly $38 to $40, but your trader's published rate is the number that pays you.
- Who sets the STC price?Nobody sets the STC spot price; it is the result of trades between sellers and buyers. The only fixed number is the $40 ex GST Clearing House price in regulation. Traders then publish the rates they will pay, which reflect that market.
- Why did STC prices fall in early 2024?STC spot slipped by roughly 80 cents between November 2023 and February 2024, mainly because certificate creation grew faster than demand, helped by strong heat pump activity under state schemes. It recovered through the first quarter of 2024.
- Why is the STC price below $40?$40 is the price at which the Clearing House will sell certificates, so it is a ceiling, not a floor. Spot sits a little under it because buyers discount for waiting, for risk and for the cost of processing, and the gap widens when supply outruns demand.
- Why is the STC price capped at $40, and is it fixed?The $40 figure is the Clearing House price, set in regulation at $40 ex GST per certificate. It caps what liable buyers pay for an STC and gives sellers a guaranteed sale price, though the open market usually trades a little below it.
- Will STC prices fall as the scheme ends, or after 2027?Not necessarily. As the deeming period shortens, fewer certificates are created per system, which can support price, but demand falls too and battery and mid-scale supply add certificates. The $40 ceiling stays, so the risk is a slow softening, not a cliff.
STC pricing and calculator
- How do I calculate battery STCs for a home battery?Battery STCs are calculated as usable kWh (5 to 100 kWh, with up to 50 kWh eligible) multiplied by the STC factor: 6.8 for 2026 installs, stepping down to 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and 5.2 on 1 July 2027 (the factor now steps every six months to 2030). A 10 kWh battery earns about 68 STCs in 2026.
- How do I find my solar STC zone by postcode?Australia is divided into four STC zones by postcode, rated 1.622, 1.536, 1.382 and 1.185. The rating is multiplied by system kW and deeming years, so a sunnier zone earns more certificates for the same system.
- How do I sell my STCs for the best price?Sell STCs for the best price by lodging complete, compliant claims, choosing a trader with a published and locked rate and no fees, and prioritising fast settlement. The market has been about $38 to $40, capped at $40.
- How do I use an STC calculator for a solar installation?To calculate solar STCs, find the postcode zone rating, multiply it by the system's kW and the deeming years for the install year, and round down. Then multiply by a price per certificate to estimate the dollar value.
- How do you calculate how many STCs a solar system earns?Multiply the system size in kW by the postcode zone rating and the number of deeming years, then round down. A 6.6 kW system in zone 3 in 2026 earns about 45 STCs (6.6 x 1.382 x 5).
- How do you calculate STCs for a heat pump?A heat pump's STC count is based on the registered model's rated energy output, the climate zone for the postcode and the deeming period. Use the registry's product listing or a trader's calculator, since the count depends on the exact model.
- How do you find the STC zone rating for a postcode?The STC zone for a system is set by the postcode of the install, using the Clean Energy Regulator's postcode zone table. Zone 1 has a rating of 1.622, zone 2 1.536, zone 3 1.382 and zone 4 1.185, which feed directly into the STC count.
- How do you get the best STC price?The best STC price is the best net result, not the biggest headline number. Compare the published rate, the lock point, any fees and the settlement time, and remember the Clearing House ceiling is $40.
- How many STCs does a 6.6 kW system create?For a 2026 install, a 6.6 kW system creates about 53 STCs in zone 1, 50 in zone 2, 45 in zone 3 and 39 in zone 4. The formula is kW times zone rating times five years, rounded down, and it drops to four years for 2027.
- STC trading price vs the clearing house: which is better?The clearing house sells STCs at a fixed $40 but there is no guaranteed timing, because sales are made from a queue. Traders pay a little below $40, and in return you get a published rate and a settlement time. For most installers, speed and certainty outweigh the small gap.
- What does an STC calculator show for 2026 installs?For 2026 installs the deeming period is 5 years. A 6.6 kW system earns about 53 STCs in zone 1, 50 in zone 2, 45 in zone 3 and 39 in zone 4, using the formula kW x zone rating x 5, rounded down.
- What does the STC zone map of Australia look like?Australia is divided into four STC zones. Zone 1 is the sunniest, covering the north and centre, zone 4 the least sunny, covering Tasmania and parts of the south. The zone rating, from 1.622 down to 1.185, multiplies a system's STC count.
- What is the current STC price in Australia?Australia has one national STC market. At the time of writing certificates trade at roughly $38 to $40, with a $40 Clearing House ceiling. The price does not vary by state, though what you receive depends on your buyer.
- What is the price of an STC?An STC is a tradeable certificate whose price is set by the market, capped at $40 by the Clearing House. In 2026 spot has been roughly $38 to $40, and what a seller receives depends on the buyer and the terms.
- What is the STC price today?At the time of writing, STCs have been trading at roughly $38 to $40 each, with the Clearing House ceiling at $40. The price you actually receive depends on who buys your certificates and when your claim is locked in.
- What is the STC spot price and how is it set?The STC spot price is the going market rate for certificates traded for near-immediate delivery. In 2026 it has been roughly $38 to $40, capped by the $40 Clearing House. It is a benchmark, not what an installer is paid.
- What is the STC value of a 6.6 kW solar system?A 6.6 kW system installed in 2026 in zone 3 earns about 45 STCs, worth roughly $1,700 to $1,800 at $38 to $40 each. Zone 1 gets about 53 STCs, and zone 4 about 39.
- What STC price do installers actually get?Installers receive their trader's buy rate, which is below the spot market of roughly $38 to $40. What you actually get depends on four things: the headline rate, when it is locked, any fees and how fast you are paid.
- What will an STC calculator show for 2027 installs?From 1 January 2027 the deeming period is 4 years, so a rooftop system earns a fifth fewer STCs than in 2026. A 6.6 kW system in zone 3 earns about 36 certificates (6.6 x 1.382 x 4).
- Where can installers see today's STC rates?Look for a trader that publishes its STC buy rate daily on a public page, with the lock point and fees stated. Spot has been roughly $38 to $40 at the time of writing, and the Clearing House ceiling is $40.
- Who pays installers the highest STC price?No trader can sustainably pay above the $40 Clearing House ceiling, and spot has been roughly $38 to $40. The highest real price is the best net result after fees, lock point and settlement time, so compare all four.
Homeowner STC questions
- Can I keep my STCs?Yes. You can decline to assign your STCs and keep the right to create them, but you then pay the full system price upfront and must create and sell the certificates yourself, usually through a registered agent.
- Can I sell my own STCs?Yes. If you have not assigned your STCs, you can create them in the Clean Energy Regulator registry and sell them to a trader or through the clearing house. It takes a registry account, clean documents and patience.
- Do I qualify for the solar rebate?Most households do. You qualify for the federal STC discount if your solar system is new, uses approved panels and inverter, is under 100 kW, and is installed by an accredited installer. There is no income test on the federal discount.
- How do you avoid STC fraud when buying solar?Check your installer's accreditation, never sign anything blank, and make sure the STC discount on your quote matches your actual system. Walk away from anyone who offers cash for your STCs, claims for a system not installed, or pressures you to sign on the spot.
- How does the solar rebate work in Australia?The federal "rebate" is a point-of-sale discount made of small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Your installer creates them for your system, sells them, and takes the value off your quote. You do not apply for anything yourself.
- How long does it take to receive the solar panel rebate?Most households receive the rebate immediately as a discount on the system price. The STC claim behind it takes the installer from a few days to several weeks to turn into cash, but that delay is the installer's, not yours.
- How much is the solar rebate for 6.6 kW?In 2026 a 6.6 kW system earns between 39 and 53 STCs depending on your zone. At roughly $38 to $40 each, that is a discount of about $1,500 to $2,100. Most capital-city homes sit around 45 STCs, or $1,700 to $1,800.
- How to claim the solar rebate in AustraliaIn Australia you claim the federal solar rebate by assigning your STCs to an accredited installer when you buy. There is no application to government. State incentives, such as Solar Victoria's, are applied for separately.
- Is the solar rebate paid upfront?In practice, yes. The federal solar rebate is delivered as STCs, and most installers deduct their value from your quote upfront, then claim them later. You do not receive a separate cheque or wait for a payout.
- Is the solar rebate taxable?For a household that assigns STCs to the installer in exchange for a lower price, the discount is generally not treated as assessable income. Businesses, people who sell STCs themselves and GST registered entities can be treated differently, so check with the ATO or an accountant.
- Is the solar STC rebate a scam?No. STCs are a legitimate federal scheme run by the Clean Energy Regulator. The scams are in the sales tactics around them, such as fake "free solar" offers, inflated discounts and unregistered installers.
- Solar rebate calculator Australia: what the numbers useAn Australian solar rebate calculator uses your postcode zone, system size, install year and the current STC price. The federal figure is the same nationwide, but state programs add their own extra incentives and caps.
- Solar rebate calculator: work out your STCs in two minutesTo calculate your solar rebate, multiply system size in kW by your postcode zone rating and by the deeming years remaining (5 for 2026), round down to a whole number, then multiply by the STC price. A 6.6 kW system in zone 3 earns 45 STCs.
- Solar rebate: how to claim it, step by stepYou do not lodge the claim yourself. You pick an accredited installer, sign an STC assignment form, and the installer creates and sells the certificates, taking their value off your quote. Your job is to check the paperwork and keep a copy.
- STC discount on a solar quote, explainedThe STC discount on a quote is the value of the certificates your system earns, taken off the price upfront. You can check it by multiplying system size, zone rating and deeming years, then pricing the result at roughly the market rate.
- What does assigning STCs mean?Assigning STCs means you sign over to your installer the right to create and sell the certificates for your system. In return, the installer reduces your price by the certificates' value at the point of sale.
- What happens to your STCs if your solar installer goes bust?If you have paid the discounted price and the system is installed, the installer going bust usually does not change what you owe. The risk is unclaimed STCs, warranty and any unpaid work. Contact the administrator and your state consumer office, and keep every document.
- What is an STC on my solar quote?An STC on your solar quote is a small-scale technology certificate: the federal rebate for your system, created by your installer. The installer sells the certificates and takes their value off your price, so you see it as a discount.
- Who is eligible for STCs?STCs are created for eligible systems, not people. The system must be new, approved, under 100 kW and installed by an accredited installer, and the claim is made by the system owner or their assigned agent.
- Who owns the STCs on my solar system?The system owner, normally you, holds the right to create the STCs. Most owners assign that right to their installer, who creates and sells the certificates and passes the value back as a discount on the quote.
Market, policy and timing
- Has the 33,000 GWh RET target been met, and what about 82% by 2030?Yes, the 33,000 GWh large-scale target has been met and LGC supply now exceeds it. The 82% by 2030 goal is a separate federal target for renewables in the grid, and progress is reported by AEMO and government rather than by the CER.
- How do new-home gas bans and electrification policy affect installers?Restrictions on gas connections for new homes, notably in Victoria and the ACT, mean more all-electric builds that need heat pump hot water, induction cooking and solar. That adds hot water STCs and VEECs to the work installers can do, though rules vary by state and change.
- How does the Solar Sharer Offer change the case for home batteries?Free midday power lowers the value of exporting solar and raises the value of a battery that charges for free and discharges in the evening. It does not change the STC discount, but it does change how you size and explain a battery in the three covered regions.
- How is the battery rebate funded after the 4.9 billion budget top-up?The federal budget for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program has been reported as expanded from $2.3 billion to $7.2 billion, a lift of about $4.9 billion. The rebate still steps down on a set schedule, so more funding extends support rather than raising the rate per kWh.
- How many Australians have rooftop solar and batteries in 2026?As reported, more than 4.3 million Australian rooftops have solar, and the Cheaper Home Batteries Program passed 500,000 batteries in just over a year. Treat these as moving figures and check the CER and the Clean Energy Council for the latest.
- How much less is the solar rebate in 2027 with a 4-year deeming period?From 1 January 2027 the deeming period drops from 5 years to 4, so a small-scale solar system earns 20% fewer STCs. A 6.6 kW system in a zone 3 city goes from 45 STCs to 36, a loss of about $340 to $360 at STC spot of roughly $38 to $40.
- Is the solar rebate ending, and what happens to STCs after 2030?The solar rebate is not ending yet, but it shrinks every 1 January and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme finishes on 31 December 2030. After that, new installs create no STCs, though certificates already created can still be sold.
- Was Labor's battery rebate promise delivered, and what do the other parties say?Yes. Labor's election promise became the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which started on 1 July 2025 and has since been expanded and re-tiered. The Coalition has criticised it and, as reported, has not committed to keep it. The Greens back batteries but want broader energy policy changes.
- What happens to STC traders after the scheme ends in 2030?The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme ends on 31 December 2030, so new solar installs stop earning STCs after that, though claims for earlier installs and the 12-month creation window run on. Traders move to other certificates such as VEECs, ESCs and PRCs, and to new schemes.
- What if the REC Registry is down or changes in 2026?The REC Registry is run by the Clean Energy Regulator, which posts maintenance and change notices on its website. We have not verified any specific 2026 outage, so check the CER's announcements page, keep your claim ready and tell your trader if a delay affects a creation deadline.
- What is the CER compliance push on installers and new STC rules in 2026?In 2026 the Clean Energy Regulator ramped up battery inspections, suspended installers who failed fit and proper person checks and tightened evidence: stricter battery photos from 1 March, tiered battery STCs from 1 May and a 12-month window to create STCs. Clean evidence and safe installs are now the priority.
- What is the Renewable Energy Target and who funds it?The Renewable Energy Target is a federal scheme that makes electricity retailers buy certificates, LGCs for large-scale generation and STCs for small-scale systems. Retailers fund it and recover the cost in electricity prices, so households and businesses pay indirectly through their bills.
- What is the status of the Energy Bill Relief Fund in 2026?The federal Energy Bill Relief Fund, which put automatic credits on household and small business bills, ended on 31 December 2025. No universal federal bill credit applies in 2026, though state and territory concessions and rebates remain.
- What is the STC price this month (October 2026)?At the time of writing, the STC spot market has been roughly $38 to $40, and the Clean Energy Regulator's clearing house ceiling is $40. The price an installer actually receives is a trader's published rate, which sits at or below spot.
- When does the Solar Sharer offer start and what does it mean?The Solar Sharer Offer applies from 1 July 2026 in the Default Market Offer regions of New South Wales, South Australia and South East Queensland. Retailers must offer eligible customers with smart meters free electricity for at least three hours in the middle of the day.
- Why is the STC spot price below the $40 clearing house price?The clearing house offers $40 per STC, but selling to it means joining a queue and waiting, so the market discounts spot by a small amount, roughly $38 to $40 at the time of writing. Traders pay below spot to cover cost and risk, and some rates are much better than others.
- Will the battery rebate rates change again, and is there a review?Yes, on a schedule: the factor is 6.8 for May to December 2026, then 5.7 from 1 January 2027 and 5.2 from 1 July 2027. Policy can change as well, so watch for any CER or DCCEEW review, but no further change beyond the legislated steps is confirmed at the time of writing.
- Will the STC price change in 2027, and what about Nov to Jan?Nobody can publish a reliable STC price forecast, but the ceiling is $40 because the clearing house buys at that level, and the spot market has been roughly $38 to $40. What changes on 1 January 2027 is how many STCs a job creates, not the cap on each one.
- Will there be a solar or battery rebate after 2030?The small-scale STC scheme is legislated to end on 31 December 2030 and the battery factor steps down towards that date. No extension has been legislated at the time of writing, so plan on the rebate shrinking each year and ending, not being topped up.
Community and forum-style questions (Reddit, Whirlpool, Facebook)
- Anyone else waiting on STCs from their trader? Why they get stuck in pendingSTCs stuck in pending are usually waiting on one of four things: trader validation, a missing or mismatched document, a registry or CER queue, or a hold on the trader's side. Ask the trader which stage the claim is at and what exactly is outstanding.
- Do installers keep the STC discount?Not as profit. The customer should see the STC value taken off the price, and the installer recovers that amount by selling the certificates. Any margin is the gap between the sale price and the discount.
- Do installers pay GST on STCs?STCs are a taxable supply, so an installer registered for GST adds GST to the sale price and remits it to the ATO. In practice the buyer usually issues a recipient created tax invoice that shows the GST on your behalf.
- How are STCs paid to installers?The customer assigns their right to the STCs to the installer as an upfront discount. The installer then sells the certificates to a trader or agent, and that buyer pays the installer, usually by bank transfer against an invoice.
- How do I find a good STC trader, who pays best and who pays fastest?A good STC trader publishes its rate, settles on stated terms, charges no hidden fees and has a track record you can check. Judge on the rate net of fees, the real payment time and how claims are handled, and ask other installers, not just the sales page.
- How do installers claim STCs?An accredited installer completes the job, collects photos, serials and a signed assignment form, then lodges the claim in the REC Registry directly or through a registered agent. The CER validates it and creates the certificates.
- How do solar companies make money from STCs?Installers give the customer an upfront discount equal to the STC value, then sell the certificates. The profit is the difference between the price they sell at and the value they discounted, plus how fast they get the cash.
- How is the STC formula calculated?STCs equal system kW, multiplied by the postcode's zone rating, multiplied by the deeming period in years, rounded down to a whole number. For 6.6 kW in zone 3 in 2026 that is 6.6 x 1.382 x 5 = 45.6, so 45 STCs.
- How long do STCs take to get paid, stage by stage?From a clean, complete claim, payment can take from 24 hours to several weeks depending on your trader's terms. Most of the variation sits in your own paperwork, the registry and CER checks, and how the trader settles. Ask for the clock in writing.
- How long does it take to claim and register STCs?Lodging a claim takes minutes if your photos, statement and assignment form are ready. The CER then validates the claim and registers the certificates, typically within days, longer if it is flagged for review.
- How long does it take to get paid for STCs?It depends on the buyer. Many traders pay in 5 to 20 business days after a claim is lodged; the registry step itself is usually quick. A trader that settles in 24 hours is the exception, not the norm.
- How much is one STC worth today?At the time of writing, one STC has been worth roughly $38 to $40 on the spot market, and the STC Clearing House pays a fixed $40. What an installer is paid depends on the buyer, so check a published daily rate.
- Is it worth registering STCs yourself?Only at volume or if you want full control. Self-registering means a registry account, creation fees and compliance work, and the saving is a margin of a dollar or two per STC. Many small installers net more by selling through a trader.
- My trader is asking for more photos or rejected my STC photos. Now what?Traders reject photos because they cannot show what the CER needs: serials, location, correct components or the finished install. Ask exactly which shot is missing, supply genuine evidence if you have it, and fix your on-site photo routine so it does not repeat.
- My trader says my STCs failed. What do I do?Ask for the exact failure reason, fix the underlying data or evidence, then resubmit. Most failures are mismatched details, missing serials or photo problems, and are fixable. If the CER has asked for more evidence, answer exactly what was requested, quickly.
- STCs stuck at the CER or not showing in the REC Registry: what is going on?STCs can sit with the CER because the claim is under validation or has been selected for an evidence check, and they may not show in the registry if the claim failed, was never submitted or sits under a different registered person. Check the claim status and the account it was lodged under.
- What does it cost to register and create STCs?A registered person REC Registry account has a one-off fee of about $20, and creating STCs costs about 47 cents each for solar, after the first 250 free for a system owner. Registered agents pay more to set up. Check the CER for current fees.
- What is the STC value per kW in 2026?In 2026 each kW creates the zone rating times five STCs: about 6.9 in zone 3, 5.9 in zone 4. At roughly $38 to $40 an STC, that is about $260 to $275 per kW in zone 3, and $225 to $235 in zone 4.
STP, liable entities and scheme mechanics
- How and when do liable entities surrender STCs? Is the deadline 28 February?Liable entities surrender STCs through the REC Registry each quarter. The deadlines are 28 April, 28 July, 28 October and 14 February. The regulator has no discretion to extend them. There is no 28 February STC surrender date.
- How is the small-scale technology percentage calculated, and who sets it?The STP is the estimated number of STCs to be created plus a cumulative adjustment, divided by relevant electricity acquisitions less exemptions, times 100. The Clean Energy Regulator prepares the estimate and the Minister sets the binding percentage by 31 March each year.
- How many STCs are created each year in Australia?The Clean Energy Regulator reports 34.1 million STCs created in 2024 and 25.0 million in 2025, both excluding batteries under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. The 2026 estimate is 24.1 million. Volumes are falling as deeming periods shorten.
- How many STCs will be created in 2026 and 2027?The Clean Energy Regulator based the 2026 small-scale technology percentage (11.67%) on an estimate of about 24.1 million STC creations, excluding battery certificates. Its non-binding view for 2027 is an STP near 10.75%, as deeming periods shorten.
- STP vs RPP: what is the renewable power percentage?The renewable power percentage (RPP) sets how many LGCs retailers must surrender under the large-scale scheme, while the small-scale technology percentage (STP) sets how many STCs they surrender under the small-scale scheme. Both are percentages of the electricity they acquire.
- What is a binding versus non-binding STP, and when is it released?The binding STP is the legal percentage for a given year, set by 31 March. Non-binding STPs are the regulator's estimates for later years: 10.75 per cent for 2027 and 7.77 for 2028 at the time of writing. They can change before they become binding.
- What is a liable entity under the Renewable Energy Target?A liable entity is a company that buys electricity from the grid for use or resale, mainly electricity retailers, and must surrender renewable certificates (LGCs and STCs) to the Clean Energy Regulator in proportion to what it acquires. Some activities are exempt.
- What is the REC Registry?The REC Registry is the Clean Energy Regulator's online system where renewable energy certificates (STCs and LGCs) are created, validated, held, transferred and surrendered. Every STC exists as a record in it, and a sale is a transfer between accounts.
- What is the Renewable Energy Target and how does the STC obligation work?The Renewable Energy Target (RET) is the federal scheme that makes electricity retailers buy renewable certificates. It has two parts: the Large-scale scheme (LGCs) and the Small-scale scheme, the SRES, where retailers must surrender STCs each quarter at a percentage the CER sets.
- What is the shortfall charge for STCs: $65 per certificate?Yes. The Clean Energy Regulator applies a shortfall charge of $65 for each STC a liable entity fails to surrender. It is well above the $40 Clearing House price, so retailers have a strong incentive to buy certificates, and it is not a cost they can avoid by waiting.
- What is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)?The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) is the federal scheme that creates small-scale technology certificates (STCs) for rooftop solar, solar hot water, heat pumps and, since 1 July 2025, home batteries. It is the small-scale half of the Renewable Energy Target and ends on 31 December 2030.
- What is the small-scale technology percentage by year, 2019 to 2026?The STP was 28.80 per cent in 2021, 27.26 in 2022, 16.29 in 2023, 21.26 in 2024, 13.89 in 2025 and is 11.67 in 2026. 2019 and 2020 were reported at 21.73 and 24.40. Always confirm against the Clean Energy Regulator's table.
- What legislation governs STCs and the SRES?STCs and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme are governed by the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 and the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001, with the shortfall charge in companion Acts. The Clean Energy Regulator administers them.
- Who buys STCs in Australia? Retailers, traders and the Clearing HouseElectricity retailers and other liable entities are the end buyers of STCs because they must surrender them. Installers typically sell to certificate traders or agents, who sell on to retailers, or to the Clean Energy Regulator's Clearing House at $40 ex GST.
- Who regulates the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme?The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) regulates the SRES. It runs the REC Registry, validates and audits STC claims, sets the annual small-scale technology percentage, accredits and monitors participants and enforces the rules. The Clean Energy Council separately approves products and accredits installers' standards.
Approved products and eligibility checks
- Are bifacial, flexible, thin film and roof tile panels STC eligible?Panel technology does not matter; the specific model has to be on the Clean Energy Council approved list on the installation date. Bifacial and thin film modules are listed in many cases. Flexible panels and solar roof tiles are more often unlisted, so check each model first.
- Are Chinese, imported, Tier 1 or cheap solar panels STC eligible?Yes, if the exact model is on the Clean Energy Council approved list on the installation date. Where it was made, whether it is called Tier 1, and what it costs do not change eligibility. Most panels sold in Australia are made overseas, and many Chinese-made models are listed.
- Battery product eligibility rules under the Cheaper Home Batteries ProgramA battery must be on the Clean Energy Council approved battery list, be VPP-capable, and be installed by an accredited installer in line with AS/NZS 5139. The product list is the CEC battery list, and the battery must stay installed until after 2030 or the end of its warranty, whichever is later.
- Can you mix panel brands on one system and still claim STCs?Yes, provided every panel in the system is on the CEC approved list on the installation date and the system is designed and declared correctly. The STC rules do not ban mixed brands. The electrical design, rather than the certificates, is where mixing usually causes trouble.
- Does a battery have to be VPP ready to get STCs?Yes, for grid-connected batteries. The battery must be technically capable of taking part in a virtual power plant, but the owner does not have to join one. Off-grid systems have a different test based on distance from the grid or connection cost.
- How do you check if a battery is STC eligible (CEC approved list)?Look the exact model up on the Clean Energy Council approved batteries list, confirm it is VPP-capable and that its usable capacity is 5 to 100 kWh, then confirm the installer is accredited. Only batteries meeting all these conditions earn STCs under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
- How do you check if solar panels or an inverter are STC eligible?Search the Clean Energy Council approved products lists for the exact panel and inverter model, confirm it was listed on the installation date, and keep a record. A product that is not on the list, or whose listing has lapsed, cannot create STCs under the small-scale scheme.
- Is there an SAA approved product list?Not as such. Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredits solar and battery installers and designers. The approved products lists for panels, inverters and batteries are kept by the Clean Energy Council (CEC), so check products there and installers with SAA.
- Solar panels not on the CEC list: can I still claim STCs?No. Panels that are not on the CEC approved list on the installation date cannot be used to create STCs for that system. The fix is to use listed panels, or to proceed knowing the system will not earn STCs and price it accordingly.
- What are the battery size limits for STCs: 5 kWh minimum, 100 kWh maximum?A battery must have between 5 and 100 kWh of usable capacity to be eligible for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, and STCs are calculated on up to 50 kWh. Below 5 kWh there is no rebate; above 50 kWh the extra capacity earns no more certificates.
- What does CEC approved mean for panels, inverters and batteries?CEC approved means the Clean Energy Council has assessed a product's test reports and certification and listed it. For panels that centres on IEC 61215 and IEC 61730, for inverters on grid-connection standards such as AS/NZS 4777.2. It is a gate for STCs, not a quality guarantee.
- What happens if panels or inverters are removed from the approved list?STC eligibility turns on whether the product was on the CEC list on the installation date, not the claim date. A system installed while the product was listed generally remains eligible; one installed after delisting is not. Check the listing dates for the exact model.
- Where is the approved solar products list in Australia?The approved lists for solar panels, inverters and batteries are published by the Clean Energy Council (CEC). The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) relies on them when it assesses STC claims, so the CEC list on the installation date is the one that matters.
- Which inverter types are STC eligible: micro, hybrid, string, optimisers?Inverter type does not decide STC eligibility; the CEC listing does. String, microinverter and hybrid inverters can all qualify if the model is on the list on the installation date, and optimisers are treated as part of a listed system rather than a separate test.
LGCs and commercial solar
- Commercial solar and the 100 kW STC limitUnder the small-scale rules a system creates STCs if it is 100 kW or less and generates under 250 MWh a year. Before 1 October 2026 anything larger had to create LGCs. From that date, systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW create STCs with a fixed five-year deeming period.
- Commercial solar rebate in 2026: what has changedFor a commercial system installed in 2026, STCs are calculated on a five-year deeming period, dropping to four in 2027 and ending in 2030. Systems up to 100 kW create STCs upfront, and from 1 October 2026 so do systems above 100 kW up to 1 MW, with a fixed five-year deeming period. LGCs apply above that, with state support varying.
- Commercial solar rebate in AustraliaCommercial solar in Australia is supported mainly through certificates: STCs for systems up to 100 kW and, for installs from 1 October 2026, for systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW, with LGCs for larger accredited systems. There is no federal cash grant, and state incentives vary, so check each scheme's official page.
- Finding an LGC trader: what to look forAn LGC trader buys large-scale generation certificates from accredited power stations and sells them on to retailers. Look for transparent pricing, clear settlement terms, registry competence and experience with commercial solar parcels of your size.
- How do you create LGCs?To create LGCs, the power station must be accredited with the Clean Energy Regulator, then register its generation and create one LGC per megawatt hour of eligible renewable electricity generated above its baseline, using the REC Registry.
- How much is an LGC worth?LGCs are oversupplied and cheap in 2026, with spot roughly $6 to $9 in September 2026 after a low near $4 in February. One LGC represents one megawatt hour of renewable generation. Prices move with supply, demand from liable entities and the policy outlook.
- LGC price today: how to find the current figureThere is no official published daily LGC price. Brokers and market reports quote it, and at the time of writing the spot range has been roughly $6 to $9 in September 2026. For a firm number, ask a trader for a quote on the day.
- LGC price: what drives it and where it sitsLGC spot prices have been roughly $6 to $9 in September 2026. Each LGC represents one megawatt hour of renewable generation from an accredited power station, and the price moves with supply, demand from electricity retailers and the 2030 end of the scheme.
- LGC spot price vs forward priceThe LGC spot price is what a registered certificate is trading for today, for prompt delivery. At the time of writing it has been roughly $6 to $9 in September 2026. Forward prices, for delivery later, can differ because they carry views on supply, demand and the 2030 end date.
- LGC vs STC: what is the difference?STCs are created upfront for small systems up to 100 kW, and from 1 October 2026 for solar up to 1 MW, based on deemed generation. LGCs are created after the fact for larger accredited power stations, based on actual output. STCs are capped at $40 through the clearing house, while LGCs float.
- LGCs for commercial solar above 100 kW: when they still applyBefore 1 October 2026, solar above 100 kW could not create STCs and the owner accredited a power station to create one LGC per megawatt hour. From that date, systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW create STCs with a fixed five-year deeming period. Above 1 MW, LGCs still apply.
- What are large-scale generation certificates?Large-scale generation certificates are tradeable certificates created by accredited renewable power stations, one per megawatt hour. They are the compliance currency of the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target, which obliges electricity retailers to surrender them annually.
- What is an LGC?An LGC, or large-scale generation certificate, represents one megawatt hour of renewable electricity generated by an accredited power station. Electricity retailers buy them to meet their obligations under the Renewable Energy Target.
- What solar rebates are available for businesses in Australia?Business solar can earn STCs for systems up to 100 kW, and from 1 October 2026 for systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW, which reduce the price at install. LGCs apply above 1 MW and to older systems above 100 kW, and are earned as electricity is generated. State programs and tax treatment may add to this, but they vary and change.
STC process and payment timing
- Can you get STC payment within 24 hours?Yes. Energy Merchants settles STCs within 24 hours of sign-off for established partners, with a first claim clearing in 48 to 72 hours while details are verified. The claim must be complete and compliant to qualify.
- How do I sell STCs as an installer?To sell STCs, get the customer's signed assignment, document the install with photos, lodge a complete claim with a trader, and receive payment at the trader's published rate. Choose a trader on rate, fees and settlement time.
- How do you get STC payments faster?Lodge complete claims on the day of install, use a trader with a stated settlement time and a pre-check, and avoid common triggers for delay such as unreadable photos or serial mismatches. Established partners with a good track record can be paid within 24 hours.
- How do you trade STCs?STCs are created in the Clean Energy Regulator's registry from eligible installations and sold to buyers, mainly energy retailers. Most installers sell through a trader that handles the registry, compliance checks and payment.
- How fast can you get paid for STCs?The fastest realistic STC payment is within 24 hours of sign-off, which established Energy Merchants partners receive. A new partner's first claim takes 48 to 72 hours. Speed depends on a complete claim and a trader set up for quick settlement.
- How long do STCs take to be paid?STC payment takes anywhere from one day to 30 days or more, depending on the trader's terms. The registry step itself is fast; the delay is usually in the trader's checks and payment schedule. Established Energy Merchants partners are paid within 24 hours.
- How long does STC payment take after installation?After installation, STC payment takes as long as your trader's terms allow once a complete claim is lodged. That can be a day or several weeks. Faster payment depends on clean claims and a trader that settles quickly.
- Is same day STC payment possible?Same day STC payment is uncommon because the claim has to be verified and the certificates transferred first. Next day is the realistic fast standard, and Energy Merchants settles established partners within 24 hours of sign-off.
- STC payment terms: is 20 days really worse than 1 day?Twenty day terms mean roughly three weeks of certificate value sits unpaid. For a crew lodging ten claims a week, that can be tens of thousands of dollars of float, so 1 day terms often win even at a slightly lower headline rate.
- What causes STC payment delays?The main causes of STC payment delay are incomplete or unclear claim documents, registry validation or audit flags, mismatched installer or bank details, and slow trader terms. Most can be found by checking the claim status and asking your trader for the reason.
- What do I need to start trading STCs?To start trading STCs you need an ABN and GST position, accreditation to install, bank details, a way to capture photos and signed assignment forms, and a trader to lodge and pay for the claims. Setup can take a day.
- What is STC pre-approval?STC pre-approval is a review of a claim's photos, forms and data before it is lodged in the registry, so errors can be fixed first. The term is used in different ways, so check whether a trader means their own compliance check or a Regulator process.
- What is the STC submission process?The STC submission process is: quote and assign, install and photograph, lodge the claim with your trader, compliance check, certificate creation in the registry, then payment. A complete claim is what keeps it moving.
- Why has my STC payment not arrived?Check three things in order: whether the claim was lodged and cleared in the registry, what settlement time your trader promised, and whether your bank and ABN details match. If all three are fine and you are still unpaid, put a written query to your trader.
Hot water and heat pump incentives
- Am I eligible for a heat pump rebate?You may be eligible if you are installing an approved heat pump water heater through an accredited installer, in a home where the rules apply. The incentive usually appears as a discount on your quote, via STCs and in Victoria sometimes VEECs.
- Choosing a heat pump STC traderA heat pump STC trader buys the certificates you create from hot water installs. Compare published rates, settlement speed, fees, whether they pre-check claims and whether they actually handle hot water evidence, not just solar.
- Heat pump hot water rebate in AustraliaA heat pump hot water system can earn STCs under the federal small-scale scheme, delivered as a discount on your quote. Some states add their own incentives, such as Victorian Energy Upgrades and the NSW Energy Savings Scheme.
- Heat pump hot water STCs for installersEligible air-sourced heat pump water heaters earn STCs, which the installer creates in the Clean Energy Regulator registry after the job and sells to a trader. You need the owner's signed assignment, a registered model and clean install evidence.
- Heat pump STC assignment form: what it needs to sayA heat pump STC assignment form records the owner, the address, the unit and the transfer of the right to create certificates to the installer. It must be signed before the claim, and the details must match your registry evidence.
- How do heat pump VEECs work in Victoria?In Victoria, installing a qualifying heat pump water heater under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program can create VEECs for an accredited provider. Eligibility rules, product lists and certificate counts are set by the Essential Services Commission, so check the current activity requirements.
- How do you choose an STC trader for solar hot water?Choose a trader that regularly settles hot water and heat pump STCs, not only solar PV, and ask how their compliance desk checks product codes, serials and photos. Then compare payment days, rate lock and fees on a test claim.
- How many STCs for a heat pump hot water system?There is no single figure. A heat pump's STC count depends on its registered model, the climate zone of the address and the installation type, and is usually in the tens. Use the Clean Energy Regulator's calculator or your installer's quote to get the exact number.
- How much is a heat pump hot water system after rebate?The price after rebate is the installed cost minus the STC discount and any state incentives. Because STC counts vary by model and zone, ask your installer for the count and the dollar value, then compare final out-of-pocket prices.
- How to claim STCs on a heat pumpTo claim STCs on a heat pump, check the model is eligible, get the owner's signed assignment, install and photograph the job, create the claim in the Clean Energy Regulator registry, then sell the registered certificates to a trader.
- Solar hot water STCs for installersEligible solar water heaters earn STCs based on the registered model's performance and the climate zone of the install. The installer creates the certificates after the job with the owner's assignment and clean evidence, then sells them to a trader.
- What makes a solar water heater eligible for STCs?A solar water heater is eligible when the model is on the Clean Energy Regulator's registered product list, it is installed by an eligible installer, and it is a new install or a qualifying replacement. The STC count is driven by the product's rating and the climate zone.
- What solar hot water rebates are available in Victoria?Victorians installing a solar hot water system may be able to claim federal STCs, and in some cases VEECs through Victorian Energy Upgrades or a state rebate with its own eligibility. Which ones apply depends on your product, address and household.
STC compliance, photos, audits, rejections
- Can the CER take back STCs?Yes. The Clean Energy Regulator can find that STCs were created incorrectly, invalidate them and require the registered person to act, for example by surrendering replacement certificates. The financial consequence then flows down your contract chain.
- How do you fix a failed STC claim?Find the exact reason in the registry or from your trader, fix the specific issue, whether a photo, serial, form or classification, and resubmit. If the cause is an eligibility problem rather than paperwork, the claim may not be fixable.
- What are the CER photo requirements for solar installations?The CER expects clear, timestamped photos showing the installed array, the panel and inverter serial numbers, the inverter, the switchboard and the installation location, taken on the day of install. The images must tie the equipment to the address and the claim.
- What are the installer attendance requirements for STCs?The accredited installer must carry out the installation or directly supervise it, which means being physically on site for the key stages. A name on a form while the work is done by others is a common reason for STC audit failures.
- What does AS/NZS 5139 require for battery installation?AS/NZS 5139 is the Australian and New Zealand standard for installing battery systems with power conversion equipment. It restricts where batteries can go, sets clearance and fire-protection requirements, and underpins eligibility for battery STCs under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
- What happens in a CER audit of a solar installer?A Clean Energy Regulator (CER) audit checks that STC claims match real, compliant installations. Expect requests for photos, signed forms, serial numbers and licence details, and in some cases a site inspection of the system.
- What is an installer written statement for STCs?An installer written statement is a signed declaration from the accredited installer confirming that they installed or supervised the system and that it complies with the standards. It may be requested in an audit or as part of a claim, so keep a template ready.
- What is STC clawback and when does it happen?Clawback is when a trader or the Clean Energy Regulator treats STCs as invalid after payment and the money must be repaid or the certificates replaced. It follows failed audits or errors and is governed by your contract.
- What photos do you need for solar STCs?For solar STCs you need photos of the installed array, panel and inverter serial numbers, the inverter, the switchboard and the site, all taken on the day. Together they prove the system exists, is at the stated address and matches the equipment claimed.
- What photos does the CER need for batteries in 2026?Battery claims need clear photos of the installed battery, its serial number and the connection, plus evidence that supports the CEC-approved model and VPP capability. New photo and evidence rules applied from 1 March 2026, so work to the current CER guidance.
- Who is responsible for a failed STC audit?Responsibility follows the fault and the contract. The installer is accountable for the installation and evidence, the registered agent or trader for what they lodged, and the contract between them decides who pays for invalidated STCs.
- Why did my STC claim fail validation?STC claims usually fail validation because the system details do not match the registry, the installer or product is not eligible, a required document is missing, or the claim duplicates another. The message in the registry names the check that failed.
- Why was my STC claim rejected?STC claims are usually rejected for unclear or missing photos, serial numbers that do not match the equipment, incomplete or late forms, or an eligibility problem such as a non-approved product. Read the rejection reason, fix the specific gap and resubmit.
STC by system size and zone
- Are STCs based on panel size or inverter size?STCs are based on the total rated capacity of the solar panels, not the inverter. The panels can be oversized up to 133 per cent of the inverter's AC rating under the Clean Energy Council rules, so a 5 kW inverter supports up to 6.65 kW of panels. Beyond that, the system may not qualify.
- How does the SRES 1 MW expansion affect trader pricing and installer cash flow?A 500 kW system can create about 3,455 STCs in zone 3, worth over $130,000 at current spot. That makes settlement terms and the buyer's balance sheet central: ask how fast a trader pays on large parcels, and whether the rate is locked on lodgement.
- How many STCs do you get for a solar system by size?For a 2026 install in zone 3 (Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide) you get about 6.9 STCs per kW: 20 for 3 kW, 34 for 5 kW, 45 for 6.6 kW, 69 for 10 kW and 207 for 30 kW. In zone 4 (Melbourne, Hobart) it is about 5.9 per kW.
- How many STCs does a 200 kW, 250 kW, 500 kW or 1 MW system create?Using the zone ratings and a fixed five-year deeming period, a 200 kW system in zone 3 is about 1,382 STCs, 250 kW about 1,727, 500 kW about 3,455 and 1 MW about 6,910. Zone 4 is about 14 per cent lower. This applies to systems above 100 kW installed from 1 October 2026.
- How will the SRES 1 MW expansion affect LGCs?Systems of 100 kW to 1 MW installed from 1 October 2026 create STCs, not LGCs, so some new mid-scale solar that would have registered as a power station will not. That trims future LGC supply at the margin, but at the time of writing LGCs are oversupplied and cheap at roughly $6 to $9.
- STC zones map: which zone is my postcode in?Australia is split into four solar zones by postcode, rated 1.622 (zone 1), 1.536 (zone 2), 1.382 (zone 3) and 1.185 (zone 4). The rating is a multiplier in the STC formula, so the same system earns more certificates in zone 1 than in zone 4.
- What are the STC zone ratings and do they change by year?The four zone ratings are 1.622 (zone 1), 1.536 (zone 2), 1.382 (zone 3) and 1.185 (zone 4). The ratings are fixed in the regulations. What changes by year is the deeming period: 5 years for 2026, 4 for 2027, down to 1 in 2030.
- What do installers need to know about the SRES expansion to 1 MW?From 1 October 2026, solar systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW create STCs at install with a fixed five-year deeming period, instead of LGCs. Below 100 kW nothing changes and above 1 MW remains LGCs. The CER has said applications open mid to late November 2026.
- What is my STC zone?Australia is split into four solar zones by postcode. Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Cairns and Townsville are zone 3. Melbourne, Geelong, Hobart and Launceston are zone 4. Darwin is zone 2 and Alice Springs zone 1.
- What is the maximum solar system size for STCs?Under the long-standing rule, a solar system of up to 100 kW can create STCs; larger systems earn LGCs. For systems installed from 1 October 2026, the Small-scale scheme extends to 1 MW with a fixed five-year deeming period. Above 1 MW remains LGCs.
- What is the STC rebate worth for a 3 kW to 100 kW solar system?At roughly $38 to $40 per STC, a 3 kW system in zone 3 is worth about $760 to $800, a 5 kW about $1,290 to $1,360 and a 6.6 kW about $1,710 to $1,800. A 10 kW system is worth about $2,600 to $2,760. The value is normally taken off your quote.
- Which STC zone is Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth or Hobart in?Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra are zone 3 (rating 1.382). Melbourne and Hobart are zone 4 (1.185), Darwin is zone 2 (1.536) and Alice Springs is zone 1 (1.622). Zones follow postcodes, so confirm the exact postcode.
VEECs and Victorian Energy Upgrades
- How do VEECs work from upgrade to payment?A VEEC is created when an approved energy upgrade is installed in Victoria, then sold to retailers that must surrender certificates. The installer or provider claims them, a trader buys them and the value comes back as a customer discount or installer income.
- How do you choose a VEEC trader?Choose a VEEC trader on a published daily rate, a rate lock on lodgement, zero or clearly stated fees, fast settlement and a compliance check on your claims. Experience with the Victorian Energy Upgrades rules matters as much as the headline price.
- How does the VEU split system air conditioner activity work?Under Victorian Energy Upgrades, installing or replacing an eligible high-efficiency split system air conditioner can create VEECs. The product must be on the approved list, installed by a qualified installer with the right evidence, and claimed by an accredited provider.
- How long does VEEC payment take?VEEC payment time varies by trader, from next day to 30 days or more. Established Energy Merchants partners are settled within 24 hours of sign-off, with a first claim taking 48 to 72 hours while details are verified.
- Is there a VEU air conditioning rebate in Victoria?Victorian Energy Upgrades can lower the price of an eligible efficient air conditioner, usually as a discount at purchase from an accredited provider. Eligibility depends on the product and your situation, so check the official program page.
- VEU rebate vs Solar Victoria rebate: what is the difference?Victorian Energy Upgrades is run by the Essential Services Commission and delivers discounts through certificates called VEECs. Solar Victoria is a separate state program that offers rebates and loans with household eligibility rules, including an income cap that fell to $150,000 on 1 July 2026.
- What is a VEEC aggregator and do you need one?A VEEC aggregator collects certificates from many accredited providers in Victoria and sells them in volume to liable retailers. You do not strictly need one, but a trader or aggregator saves you from finding buyers and managing registry and settlement work.
- What is a VEEC?A VEEC is a Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificate representing one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions avoided by an approved energy-saving upgrade. They are created under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program and sold to energy retailers who must meet targets.
- What is the VEEC price today?At the time of writing the VEEC market has been roughly $85 to $95, with a record near $110 in 2026. For a number you can actually be paid, check your trader's published daily buy rate.
- What is the VEEC price?VEECs have traded at roughly $85 to $95 in 2026 at the time of writing, with a record near $110. The price is set by the Victorian market, driven by the scheme's targets and supply of certificates, and is quite different from the STC market.
- What is the VEEC spot price and how does it move?The VEEC spot price is the market level at which certificates trade now, roughly $85 to $95 in 2026 with a record near $110. It moves with Victorian scheme targets and supply, and installers receive their trader's rate, which sits below spot.
- Why are VEEC prices so high?VEEC prices have been high, roughly $85 to $95 in 2026 with a record near $110, because the Victorian target has grown faster than the supply of certificates, and retailers need them to avoid penalties. Prices can fall if supply catches up or the target changes.
Battery stacking, VPP and state battery schemes
- Battery rebate and VPP incentive: how they stackThe federal battery rebate (STCs) stacks with most VPP incentives, because the rebate is paid at installation and the VPP pays for the right to manage your battery. Add them up, then read the VPP contract for term, call-outs and exit fees.
- Does the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme cover batteries?The ACT Sustainable Household Scheme has supported home batteries mainly through zero-interest loans rather than grants. Canberra households can combine that with the federal STC discount; confirm the current loan terms and eligibility on the ACT Government page.
- How does the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme apply to batteries?The NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) creates certificates, PRCs, for eligible batteries that help reduce peak demand, including through VPP connection. It sits alongside the federal battery STCs, so check current activity rules and amounts on the official NSW page.
- Is a battery worth it with the rebate?A battery is worth it if the after-rebate price is covered over its life by bill savings, VPP earnings and backup value. The rebate helps most on the first 14 kWh, so size to your evening use, and check the numbers before the 2027 factor cut.
- Is there a South Australian home battery scheme?South Australian households can use the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which gives an STC discount on approved batteries. The state's own battery scheme has been changed since the federal program began, so check the SA Government's official page for what, if anything, still applies.
- NSW battery incentive PDRS BESS2: what it isBESS2 is the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme activity that rewards connecting a battery to a virtual power plant for demand response. It creates PRCs, applies to batteries within set capacity limits, and sits alongside the federal STC rebate.
- NSW VPP battery incentive: how it works with the federal rebateIn NSW, the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme pays an incentive for connecting a battery to an eligible virtual power plant. It sits alongside the federal STC rebate, which now covers the upfront battery discount.
- VPP battery rebate: what you get for joining a VPPA VPP battery rebate is a credit or payment from a virtual power plant operator for letting them manage your battery. It is separate from the federal STC rebate, which does not require you to join a VPP, and some states add their own VPP incentive.
- WA battery rebate: can you stack it with the federal rebate?In WA the state battery rebate and the federal Cheaper Home Batteries discount are separate and have been designed to combine, so you add the state rebate to the STC discount. Confirm the current state terms, because amounts and deadlines have changed.
- WA residential battery scheme: what it isThe WA Residential Battery Scheme is a Western Australian Government incentive for home batteries that sits on top of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Amounts and eligibility depend on your network area, so check the current official terms.
- What is the NSW battery incentive and how do PRCs work?The NSW battery incentive moved into the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program in 2025, and NSW's Peak Demand Reduction Scheme now offers an incentive, paid as PRCs, for connecting a battery to a VPP. Check the official NSW page for current factors and rules.
Deeming by year and scheme end
- How many STCs does a 6.6 kW system get, 2026 to 2030?In a zone 3 city a 6.6 kW system creates 45 STCs in 2026, 36 in 2027, 27 in 2028, 18 in 2029 and 9 in 2030. At roughly $38 to $40 each, that is about $1,700 to $1,800 this year and half or less after 2028.
- Solar deeming period by year, 2016 to 2025The deeming period was 15 years in 2016 and has dropped by one year every January since, reaching 6 years in 2025. A 6.6 kW zone 3 system created 136 STCs in 2016 and 54 in 2025.
- Solar deeming period by year: 2026 to 2030The small-scale solar deeming period is 5 years for 2026 installs, then 4 for 2027, 3 for 2028, 2 for 2029 and 1 for 2030. The scheme ends 31 December 2030, so no certificates are created for solar installed after that.
- SRES changes in 2026: what installers need to knowIn 2026 the scheme tightened battery evidence rules (March), changed battery tiers and factors (May), cut solar deeming to 5 years (January) and extended STCs to mid-scale solar of 100 kW to 1 MW from 1 October. The end date remains 31 December 2030.
- What changed in the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme in 2026?In 2026 the SRES kept its five-year deeming period for solar, extended STCs to mid-scale solar (100 kW to 1 MW) from 1 October, and carried a battery program whose reported budget grew from $2.3bn to $7.2bn. The scheme still ends on 31 December 2030.
- What happens to STCs after 2030, and is there a 2031 deeming period?There is no deeming period for 2031. The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme is legislated to end on 31 December 2030, so no STCs are created for systems installed after that date. Nothing has been announced to replace it at the time of writing.
- What is a deeming period for solar?The deeming period is the number of future years of solar generation that STCs are created for up front. In 2026 it is 5 years, so a new system is credited with five years of deemed output, and it shortens by a year each January to 2030.
- What is the history of the STC scheme, from the 2001 RECs to 2030?The scheme began as the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target in 2001, issuing RECs. On 1 January 2011 it split into small-scale STCs and large-scale LGCs, and the STC side is legislated to stop creating certificates on 31 December 2030.
- What was the solar credits multiplier and when did it end?Solar Credits multiplied the certificates earned on the first 1.5 kW of a small solar system: 5x from June 2009, 3x from July 2011, 2x from July 2012. The multiplier ended on 30 June 2013 and no longer applies.
- Why does the STC deeming period fall each year?Because the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme is designed to wind down to 31 December 2030. Each January the deeming period shortens by one year, so a system earns fewer STCs and the government's cost of the scheme tapers as it ends.
- Will the government extend the STC scheme past 2030?At the time of writing, no. The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme is legislated to end on 31 December 2030 and no extension has been announced. An extension would need a change in law, so installers should plan for the scheme ending on schedule.
Deeming period and scheme wind-down
- Deeming period 2026: 5 years and what it is worthThe deeming period for solar systems installed in 2026 is 5 years. A 6.6 kW system earns about 53 STCs in zone 1, 50 in zone 2, 45 in zone 3 and 39 in zone 4, and it falls to 4 years on 1 January 2027.
- Deeming period for STCs: what it isThe deeming period is the number of years of solar generation that STCs are created for at installation. It is 5 years for 2026 installs, 4 for 2027, and it drops by one each year to 1 year in 2030, when the scheme ends on 31 December.
- Deeming period schedule by year: 2026 to 2030The deeming period is 5 years for 2026, 4 for 2027, 3 for 2028, 2 for 2029 and 1 for 2030. The scheme then ends on 31 December 2030, so the STC discount on a solar system shrinks by roughly 20 to 50 per cent each year.
- Does the solar rebate drop every year?Yes, the solar rebate drops every year on 1 January. The deeming period falls by one year each time, from 5 in 2026 to 4 in 2027 and 1 in 2030, so the STC discount on a given system shrinks by 20 per cent in 2027 and more after that.
- Should I install solar now or wait?Install now if the numbers work on your bills and the job can be commissioned before 1 January, because the rebate falls each year and your power bill keeps running. Waiting only pays if panel prices fall faster than the rebate does.
- Should you sell STCs before the deeming period drops?The number of STCs is set by the installation date, not the sale date, so selling earlier does not save a system from the cut. What matters is installing and lodging before 1 January 2027 if you want the five-year deeming count.
- Solar rebate drop on 1 January: what changesOn 1 January 2027 the solar deeming period falls from 5 years to 4, so the same system earns about 20 per cent fewer STCs. A 6.6 kW system in zone 3 drops from about 45 to about 36 certificates, roughly $300 to $360 less.
- What is the deeming period for solar?For a home solar system, the deeming period is how many years of expected output are turned into STCs at installation. It is 5 years for 2026, so your rebate is bigger this year than any year after, and it falls by one each year until 2030.
- When does the solar rebate end?The federal solar rebate ends on 31 December 2030, but it does not stay the same until then. It falls every 1 January because the deeming period shortens: 5 years in 2026, 4 in 2027, down to 1 year in 2030.
- When does the STC scheme end?The STC scheme, part of the small-scale renewable energy scheme, ends on 31 December 2030. Solar certificate volumes step down each January as the deeming period falls from 5 years in 2026 to 1 year in 2030.
- Will the solar rebate end in 2030?Yes. The federal solar rebate paid through STCs is set to end on 31 December 2030. By then it will have shrunk for four years in a row, because the deeming period falls from 5 years in 2026 to 1 year in 2030.
Installer business, cash flow and tax
- Do I charge GST on STCs?If you are registered for GST, yes, GST generally applies to your sale of STCs, but with a recipient created tax invoice the trader issues the invoice for you. If you are not registered, you do not charge GST. Confirm with your accountant.
- GST on STC sales: how it works for installersIf you are registered for GST, the sale of STCs to a trader is generally a taxable supply, so GST is added to the price and reported in your BAS. The trader usually pays by recipient created tax invoice. Confirm your position with your accountant.
- How should you present the STC discount on a solar quote?Show the system price, the STC discount as its own line with the number of STCs and the value assumed per STC, then the net price. Be clear that the discount depends on the certificates being created, and explain who carries the risk if they are not.
- Recipient created tax invoice for STCsA recipient created tax invoice, or RCTI, is a tax invoice that the buyer of your STCs raises on your behalf. It needs a written agreement, accurate ABN and GST details, and it replaces you invoicing the trader.
- Solar installer cash flow and STCsWhen you give customers the STC discount at signing, you carry the value of those certificates until you are paid for them. Cash flow improves by lodging complete claims, choosing a fast-settling trader and tracking each claim's status.
- STC assignment form for batteries: what to checkA battery STC assignment form needs the owner, address, battery make, model, serial and usable capacity, VPP capability, the transfer of STC rights and a signature. It supports a claim under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
- STC assignment form for heat pumps: template viewA heat pump assignment form template should capture owner, address, unit model and serial, installation type, the transfer of STC rights and a signed date. Keep one on file for every job in case of audit.
- STC assignment form for solar: what to checkFor rooftop solar, the assignment form must name the owner and address, state the system size and equipment, record the transfer of STC rights and be signed before you claim. System details must match the registry and your photos exactly.
- STC assignment form requirementsA valid STC assignment form identifies the owner and system, records the owner's assignment of the right to create certificates, is signed and dated before the claim, and is kept on file for audit. Confirm the current wording with the Clean Energy Regulator.
- STC assignment form template: what a good one includesA good STC assignment form template captures the owner, the address, the system details, the transfer of the right to create STCs and a signed and dated declaration. Use the same structure for every job so nothing is missed.
- What is an RCTI for STC sales?An RCTI, or recipient created tax invoice, is a tax invoice the buyer of your STCs issues on your behalf. It only works under a written agreement between you, and both parties need to meet ATO conditions, including GST registration where relevant.
NSW ESCs and PDRS
- ESC price in NSW: how to read the marketThere is no official NSW ESC price. The market is set by trading between accredited certificate providers and electricity retailers, with IPART administering the Energy Savings Scheme. The related Peak Demand Reduction Scheme has its own certificates, PRCs.
- ESC price: what an NSW Energy Savings Certificate is worthESCs trade on an open market with no fixed or official price, so the figure depends on supply from accredited projects and demand from electricity retailers with obligations under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme. Get a current quote from a broker or trader.
- ESC trader: choosing a buyer for NSW certificatesAn ESC trader buys Energy Savings Certificates from accredited providers and sells them to retailers. Compare quoted prices, settlement terms, fees, familiarity with your activity method and whether they also handle PRCs.
- How do you become an ACP in NSW?You apply to the NSW scheme regulator, IPART, for accreditation under the Energy Savings Scheme or Peak Demand Reduction Scheme, nominating the activities you will claim. You need to show you can meet evidence, record and compliance requirements.
- How long does it take to get paid for NSW ESCs?There is no fixed timeline for ESC payment. It depends on when the ACP creates and registers the certificates, how the registry processes them, and the buyer's terms, which can be days to several weeks.
- How to sell ESCs in NSWTo sell ESCs, you create them as an accredited certificate provider under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme, register them in the scheme registry, agree a price with a buyer and transfer them for payment. Retailers and traders are the usual buyers.
- NSW heat pump hot water rebate and ESCsIn NSW a heat pump hot water system can attract federal STCs and, where the activity qualifies, ESCs under the state Energy Savings Scheme. Both normally appear as a discount on your quote. Ask your installer which are included.
- What is a NSW Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP)?An Accredited Certificate Provider is a business accredited by the NSW scheme regulator, IPART, to create and register certificates under the Energy Savings Scheme and Peak Demand Reduction Scheme. Only an ACP can create ESCs or PRCs for eligible activities.
- What is an ESC in NSW?An ESC, or Energy Savings Certificate, represents one megawatt hour of energy savings created under the NSW Energy Savings Scheme. Accredited providers create them for approved activities, and electricity retailers buy them to meet annual targets.
- What is the price of a peak reduction certificate in NSW?Peak reduction certificates, or PRCs, trade on a market with no fixed price, and the value moves with supply and demand from liable electricity retailers. Check current prices with a certificate trader or the scheme's market reports rather than relying on a quoted figure.
Choosing and switching STC traders
- Best STC trader in Australia: how to judge oneThe best STC trader for you is the one that pays a locked rate fastest with no hidden fees and catches claim problems before lodgement. Score traders on rate, settlement time, fees, compliance checks, support and financial stability, not on rate alone.
- Do STC traders pay better rates for higher volume?Often, yes. Many traders pay a small premium or give extras to installers who lodge regularly in volume, but the premium is rarely the biggest factor. Settlement time, fees and rate certainty usually matter more.
- How do you read STC trader reviews before choosing one?Treat STC trader reviews as a prompt for questions, not a verdict. Look for patterns about payment timing and claim handling, then confirm with a test claim and two or three installers who trade with them now.
- STC trader fees: what they charge and where they hideSTC trader fees can include a per-claim processing fee, an admin or portal fee, a monthly subscription, registry or transfer fees and charges for early payment. Add them to the rate to get a true net price per certificate.
- STC trading with no fees: what zero fees should meanSTC trading with no fees should mean you pay nothing beyond the published rate: no processing, admin, registry or subscription charges. Check the contract and a real remittance, because some no-fee traders recover the cost in the rate.
- What can you do if an STC trader owes you money?Confirm the transfer in the REC Registry, send a written demand citing the agreed terms, and set a short deadline. If that fails, escalate to the consumer or small business regulator, a debt letter, or the tribunal for your state.
- What fees do STC agents and traders charge?STC traders make money in the gap between spot and your rate, and some add admin, processing, registry or subscription fees on top. Compare on the net result: rate minus all fees, adjusted for how long you wait to be paid.
- What should you do when an STC trader pays late?Check whether the claim has actually cleared registry validation, then ask the trader for the specific reason in writing. One late payment with a clear cause is a hiccup. A repeated pattern is a reason to change traders.
- Which STC trader contract terms should you check?Check when payment is due and from what point, whether the rate is locked on lodgement, any fees, exclusivity or minimum volumes, who bears a failed claim, and how you can leave. If any are missing from the contract, ask for them in writing.
Geo long-tail: regional centres, capitals, feed-in tariffs, EV chargers
- How can regional solar installers get paid STCs fast?Get the claim right before you lodge it: complete photos, a signed assignment form, correct serials and a valid SAA number. Then pick a trader that pre-checks claims and settles in days, not weeks. Distance from a capital city does not slow a clean claim.
- Is a home battery worth it in a regional town?Usually yes if you already have solar, export for a low feed-in tariff and use most of your power in the evening. The federal discount cuts the price by roughly a third, but the local answer turns on your tariff, your usage and any state VPP incentive.
- What are the solar export limits by state, and what are flexible exports?Export limits are set by your network, not by the state or the STC scheme, so they vary by network area. South Australia has required flexible exports for new systems since 2023, and Victorian networks are rolling them out from 2026, allowing up to about 10 kW most of the time.
- What heat pump hot water rebates apply in regional towns?Everywhere in Australia an eligible heat pump hot water system earns federal STCs, shown as a discount on your invoice. NSW adds ESCs, Victoria adds VEECs, and most other states add little, so the town matters less than the state.
- What is the DRIVEN charger rebate stream for dealerships?DRIVEN is a federal grant stream, run through business.gov.au, that pays automotive dealerships and EV repairers a rebate towards EV chargers. It is a grant, not a certificate scheme, so STCs and trading are not part of it.
- What is the Solar Sharer free power offer and who gets it?The Solar Sharer Offer requires large retailers in NSW, South East Queensland and South Australia to offer a standing plan with three free hours of electricity in the middle of the day, from 1 July 2026. It needs a smart meter and is capped at 24 kWh a day.
- Which V2G chargers are approved in Australia?A small number of bidirectional chargers are certified to AS/NZS 4777.2:2020, including units from Wallbox and Sigenergy, and others have followed. Approval to export to the grid is granted by each network, so having a certified charger does not guarantee you can run V2G.
Solar rebates by state
- How does an installer get Solar Victoria approval?Installers who want to deliver Solar Victoria rebate jobs need to register with the program and meet its requirements, which include current Clean Energy Council accreditation and compliance with its product and installation rules. Check Solar Victoria's official pages for the current process.
- How much is the solar panel rebate?A 6.6 kW system in a zone 3 postcode earns about 45 STCs in 2026, worth roughly $1,700 at the current market of about $38. Bigger systems and sunnier zones earn more, and the amount falls each January as the deeming period shortens.
- Is the Solar Victoria rebate income limit now $150,000?Yes. The household income cap for the Solar Victoria rebate fell to $150,000 on 1 July 2026. If your household earns more than that you may not qualify for the Victorian rebate, though you can still receive the federal STC discount on the system.
- Is the Solar Victoria rebate still 1,400 dollars?The Victorian solar panel rebate has been advertised as up to $1,400 for eligible households, but the amount, income cap and conditions change over time. The household income cap fell to $150,000 on 1 July 2026, so confirm the current figure with Solar Victoria.
- What changed in the Solar Victoria rebate on 1 July 2026?On 1 July 2026 the household income cap for the Solar Victoria rebate fell to $150,000. Other details can change between program years, so check the Solar Victoria website for the current amounts and rules before you commit to an installation.
- What solar panel rebates are available in Australia?The main solar rebate in Australia is the federal STC discount, applied at the point of sale to eligible systems. Households can also get a federal battery discount from the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, plus state incentives that vary by location.
STC basics
- Is the STC scheme ending?Yes, but gradually. The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme ends on 31 December 2030. Until then the deeming period falls by a year each 1 January, so a system earns fewer STCs every year: five years in 2026, four in 2027, down to one in 2030.
- What is an STC agent?An STC agent is a business registered with the Clean Energy Regulator that creates, manages and transfers STCs in the REC Registry on behalf of system owners or installers. Many agents also buy the certificates, but agency and trading are separate roles.
- What is an STC in solar panels?An STC, or small-scale technology certificate, is a tradable certificate created for each unit of expected renewable energy from a solar system. It is how the federal solar rebate works: your installer sells the certificates and passes the value on as a discount.
- What is an STC worth?At the time of writing an STC has been worth roughly $38 to $40, and the Clean Energy Regulator's clearing house ceiling is $40. A typical 6.6 kW home system earns about 45 STCs, so the certificate value is around $1,700 to $1,800.
- What is the difference between STCs and LGCs?STCs are created upfront for small-scale systems of up to 100 kW, and from 1 October 2026 for solar up to 1 MW, based on expected output. LGCs are created over time by larger accredited power stations, one per megawatt hour actually generated. Both are bought by retailers to meet the Renewable Energy Target.
- Who buys STCs?Electricity retailers and other liable entities are the end buyers of STCs, because they must surrender them each year. Installers usually sell to a certificate trader, who aggregates them, or to the Clean Energy Regulator's clearing house at $40.
Installer accreditation and eligibility
- Do electricians need solar accreditation to claim STCs?Yes. To create STCs for rooftop solar, the install must be done or directly supervised by a Clean Energy Council accredited installer, in addition to the relevant electrical licence. A licence alone lets you do the electrical work, but not generate certificates.
- How do you check a solar installer's accreditation number?Ask for the installer's Clean Energy Council accreditation number and electrical licence number, then look both up on the Clean Energy Council's installer search and your state licensing register. The name, status and system types should match.
- SAA accreditation: what it is and why installers need itSolar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredits the installers, designers and electricians who work on solar and battery systems. Accreditation is a condition of creating STCs for rooftop solar and of installing under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
- SAA battery accreditation requirementsTo install batteries that earn STCs under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, you need current SAA accreditation that covers battery work, the training that goes with it, and compliance with the battery standards. Check SAA for the exact current requirements.
- Solar accreditation in Australia: how to applyTo become an accredited solar installer, a licensed electrician completes the required training, applies to Solar Accreditation Australia with evidence of licence and competency, and pays the fee. Check SAA for the current requirements and costs.
Cross-scheme stacking and state overlaps (STC angle)
- Do state solar rebates change how you claim STCs outside NSW and Victoria?No. The STC claim on a solar system works the same way in every state. State offers outside NSW and Victoria are mostly loans or battery programs, sit beside the STC discount and are handled separately. Check each state's page before quoting.
- VEEC accredited provider vs STC trader: what is the difference?A VEEC accredited provider is approved by the Essential Services Commission to create Victorian certificates for specific activities. An STC trader buys, or acts as agent for, federal certificates created through the Clean Energy Regulator. They are different roles under different regulators, though one business can hold both.
- What extra do Victorian installers need for Solar Victoria and STC claims?The STC claim in Victoria is the same federal claim as elsewhere. Solar Victoria adds its own installer approval, portal steps and customer eligibility checks for rebate jobs. Do both: the state process does not replace or speed up the STC lodgement.
- What paperwork do you need when a job earns both VEECs and STCs?Treat them as two claims on one job. STCs need a signed STC assignment form and CER evidence; VEECs need an accredited-provider assignment and Essential Services Commission records. Rooftop solar PV does not create VEECs, so solar stacking is a state-rebate question, not a VEEC one.
Registry and system eligibility
- Can you claim STCs when adding panels to an existing system?Often yes, for the added capacity only. STCs are created for new panels that add capacity, not for the existing ones. The job must be classed correctly as an addition, with the right evidence, and the combined system still has to meet the eligibility limits.
- Is my solar system eligible for STCs?Your system is probably eligible if it is under 100 kW, uses new CEC-approved panels and inverter, was installed by an accredited installer and has had its STCs created within the allowed time. Your installer's paperwork will confirm it.
- Which solar systems are eligible for STCs?Eligible systems are new, grid-connected or off-grid solar PV of up to 100 kW with annual output under 250 MWh, built from CEC-approved panels and inverters and installed by a suitably accredited installer. Evidence must support every claim.
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