Unlike STCs, which are created up front for deemed generation, LGCs follow real generation. That makes timing a business decision rather than a fixed schedule.
The rules that fix the window
An accredited power station creates one LGC per megawatt-hour of eligible generation above its baseline. The CER’s rule is that LGCs must be created by 31 December in the year after the electricity was generated. Generation in 2026 can be turned into LGCs until 31 December 2027. Within that window the owner chooses when to create them. See how LGCs are created.
Monthly, quarterly or annual
| Approach | Good for | Watch out |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | Owners who want steady cash flow | More admin and a per-LGC fee on small batches |
| Quarterly | The common middle path | Needs good metering records |
| Annual | Minimal admin | Cash arrives late; deadline risk |
A 200 kW system produces roughly 20 to 25 MWh a month, so a monthly batch is 20 to 25 LGCs. At $6 to $9 each, that is $120 to $225 a month at the time of writing, which is why many small owners batch quarterly or annually. Check what an LGC is worth for current ranges.
Price timing
LGC prices have been volatile. They were about $11 at the start of Q4 2025, fell to a low near $4 in February 2026 and were around $6 to $9 in September 2026. Creating early does not force you to sell early, but holding adds market risk. A forward contract with a buyer can lock a price for future generation.
Keeping records that make creation easy
Download meter data each month even if you create LGCs less often. Note any outages, curtailment or changes to the system, because they affect eligible generation. A simple spreadsheet matching meter reads to creation dates will save time at audit. If you use a broker or trader to create on your behalf, confirm who holds the registry login and who pays the per-certificate fee.
What this means for you
If your system is large enough to be in the LGC scheme, pick a creation rhythm that matches your cash needs, keep clean metering records and line up a buyer; see who buys LGCs from small solar systems. If your system was installed from 1 October 2026 and sits between 100 kW and 1 MW, check whether the mid-scale STC route suits better. The accreditation page covers fees and timing, and the commercial solar hub links the rest. Our STC trading page and pricing cover small-scale certificates.