The extension of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme to systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW is new at the time of writing. The regulations were amended in 2026, systems installed from 1 October 2026 are covered and the CER has said applications open in mid to late November 2026. Some details will only settle once guidance is published, so treat this page as a checklist of questions rather than a final rulebook.
What will almost certainly still matter
- Competent, licensed installers. Electrical licensing and the relevant standards apply to larger commercial systems as they do to residential ones. See solar accreditation in Australia and SAA accreditation.
- Approved products. Panels and inverters must be on the Clean Energy Council approved lists to support an STC claim.
- Evidence. Expect the CER to want clear documentation of the system as built: capacity, serial numbers, location and installation date. Our photo requirements are a sensible baseline, scaled up for bigger arrays.
- Owner paperwork. The system owner’s details and an assignment form if STCs are sold through a trader. See the assignment form guide.
What to confirm before you quote
| Question | Why |
|---|---|
| What does the CER require for mid-scale claims? | Rules may differ from small-scale |
| What zone rating and deeming period apply? | Fixed five years for mid-scale |
| How does my trader handle large claims? | Volume, checks and cash timing |
| Does the grid connection agreement affect timing? | DNSP approvals can hold up commissioning |
| What if the CER rejects or delays? | Who carries the cost |
See the mid-scale STC pillar page and mid-scale STCs from 100 kW to 1 MW.
Paying fast on a large claim
A 300 kW rooftop in zone 3 would create roughly 300 x 1.382 x 5 = about 2,070 STCs, or around $79,000 to $83,000 at $38 to $40 each at the time of writing. Waiting weeks for that cash is expensive for a contractor who has already bought the equipment. Ask any trader how long a clean mid-scale claim takes from lodgement, when the rate is locked and who checks the pack. Energy Merchants publishes its rate daily on pricing, locks it on lodgement of a complete claim and settles in 24 hours for established partners, with a first claim at 48 to 72 hours; talk to the desk about large claims before the November opening.
What this means for installers
Get the process ready now: checklists, a serial-number log, a signed owner form and a trader who has answered the questions above. For the wider commercial picture see the LGC and mid-scale hub, how it works and start trading.