LGCs are worth a few dollars each, not hundreds, and the value is in volume. Because one LGC equals one megawatt hour, a large commercial system produces them in the hundreds or thousands. Solar above 100 kW and up to 1 MW installed from 1 October 2026 can create STCs instead; LGCs apply above 1 MW and to older systems above 100 kW.
Price drivers
- Demand from liable entities, mainly electricity retailers, which must surrender certificates under the Renewable Energy Target.
- Supply of new accreditation. More generation means more LGCs.
- Policy. The target and the scheme’s transition into new arrangements after the Renewable Energy Target shape forward expectations.
- Contract length. Forward prices differ from spot.
In September 2026 the spot range was roughly $6 to $9, after a low near $4 in February and about $11 at the start of Q4 2025. That is a market that moves, and any figure in an article is a snapshot.
What a project might make
A rough illustration only: a system generating 150 MWh in a year earns 150 LGCs. At $7.50 each, that is about $1,125 per year. It is not a large number for a small business, but over a long project life and across a larger site it matters. Check whether LGCs make sense before you pay for accreditation, and check whether STCs under the mid-scale rules are the better route for a 100 kW to 1 MW system installed from 1 October 2026.
How it compares to STCs
STCs are paid upfront on expected generation over the deeming period and are credited when the system is installed. LGCs arrive over time as the system generates. The STC vs LGC comparison explains this in full.
Where to find the current price
Spot prices are published by certificate brokers and in market reports, and the Clean Energy Regulator publishes quarterly data on certificate volumes. For a live number you can sell at, ask a trader for a quote. Be careful to separate spot, which is for immediate delivery, from forward prices for later years, which can be higher or lower. A long-term buyer may offer a fixed price for several years, which trades upside for certainty.
What this means for you
Whether you are a business owner or an installer quoting commercial solar, treat LGC revenue as a modest, ongoing stream, not a major upfront offset. The steps are in how to create LGCs, and the resources hub and the certificate glossary have more. Our pricing page covers STC rates.