Many homeowners want to confirm one thing: were STCs actually created for my system? The question comes in several forms, including did my installer claim them, can I check by address, and is there a public register search. Here is how to answer it with what is available.
Start with your installer
The easiest route is a direct request. Email your installer or retailer and ask for:
- the number of STCs created for your system
- the date they were created
- the name of the registered agent who created them
- a copy of any registry confirmation
An installer with a clean process can send this in a few minutes. Failure to answer is information in itself. If you paid a discounted price, the installer holds the right and the answer matters less to your wallet, but it matters if the claim later fails.
What the REC Registry shows
The REC Registry is run by the Clean Energy Regulator. When STCs are created for a small generation unit, the record includes details such as system size, panel and inverter models, installation date and postcode. There are public registers for certificates, but they are built for the market, not for homeowners searching by street address. At the time of writing, do not expect to type your address and see a result. If you want a definitive check, ask the Clean Energy Regulator through its enquiry line.
When it is worth escalating
- Your installer is slow or evasive.
- Your installer has closed, see what to do when an installer goes bust.
- You think STCs were created for a system that is not yours, or the property was previously claimed, see what if STCs were already claimed on my house.
- You are unsure whether the 12-month window has passed.
What the check cannot tell you
Seeing that STCs exist does not tell you whether they will survive an audit. The Clean Energy Regulator reviews claims, and certificates can be invalidated later, see how STC audits work. Seeing no record does not prove fraud either, since a claim may be queued with the agent.
What this means for you
Ask in writing, keep the reply, and file it with your quote and form. If you used a discount at purchase, you have received your value. For the rest, rely on the installer’s duty to claim correctly and your contract. Our homeowners guide covers further protections, and you can read how certificate settlement works from the installer side on how it works and STC trading.