When a solar installer puts a form in front of you, it is almost always the STC assignment form. It is short, and it matters, because it is the document that lets your installer collect the government rebate on your behalf.
What the form actually does
Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, whoever owns an eligible system has the right to create small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Most owners do not want to chase certificates through the REC Registry and sell them, so they assign that right to a registered agent, usually through the installer. The installer takes the certificates and takes the value off your price. The form is the proof that you agreed.
Without your signature, the installer cannot create the certificates. That is the honest reason they keep asking. For the wider picture see what assigning STCs means and our solar assignment form guide.
Should you sign before installation?
It is common to sign at quote acceptance, and common to sign again at completion. Both are legitimate. What matters is what is on the page when you sign:
- your name and the installation address
- the system size and the number of panels and inverter
- the installation date, or a clear note that it is to be completed
- the certificate value or discount it relates to
If a field you cannot know yet (such as serial numbers) is blank, ask the installer to add it from the compliance paperwork, not to leave you holding a half-filled form.
Why did my installer ask me to sign a blank form?
Usually it is convenience: a crew on a tight day wants to tidy paperwork later. It is still a bad idea. A signed blank form can be completed with details you never agreed to, and it makes any later dispute harder to prove. Politely decline and ask them to complete it first or to send it digitally after the job. A reputable installer will understand, because the Clean Energy Regulator expects the form to be accurate, and an inaccurate one can sink the claim.
What this means for you
Signing is routine, but treat it like any contract. Read the date, address and system size. Check your quote already shows the STC discount as a separate line rather than a promise of a rebate later. If you are unsure whether the installer is accredited, check their accreditation number first.
For the bigger picture on your rights as a household, see the homeowners guide. If you are an installer wondering how to make this easier for customers, the STC assignment form resource covers the paperwork and how we work shows the claim path.