Two questions get asked together: what does accreditation cost, and how long until I can create LGCs? Both depend on facts the CER publishes and updates, so treat this page as a map and check the CER’s fees page before you pay.
What the fees look like
At the time of writing, the CER’s published fees for a power station application start at about $50 for stations under 10 MW with a default or nil baseline, and about $150 for those with a special baseline that uses data. There is also a small per-certificate fee when LGCs are created, reported at around 8 cents per LGC. Rooftop and ground-mount solar built after 1997 generally has a nil baseline, so the lower tier is the typical case. Confirm the exact figures on the CER site.
The money cost is small. The larger cost is the time of someone assembling the documents.
How long it takes
The CER does not guarantee a fixed turnaround and processing can vary with workload and application quality. Plan on several weeks and treat a clean application as the main way to shorten it. Reported CER policy sets the accreditation date as the day an application is properly made or the date the site starts generating, whichever is later, so a missing document can delay when your LGCs start counting.
What to prepare
- Ownership details and the nominated person.
- A single line diagram and system specifications (panels, inverters, capacity).
- Evidence of grid connection approval.
- Meter and metering arrangements.
- Commissioning date and, if applicable, baseline information.
- Equipment details that match what is installed.
Is accreditation the right path?
For a system installed from 1 October 2026 between 100 kW and 1 MW, check the new mid-scale STC rule first: an upfront five-year STC claim often beats years of small LGC income. See the 100 kW to 1 MW explainer and what 150 kW earns in LGCs. For a system above 1 MW, or one installed earlier and sitting outside the new rule, accreditation remains the route; see commercial solar over 100 kW and LGCs.
A realistic timeline to plan around
Work backwards from the date you want to create your first LGCs. Allow time to gather documents, a few weeks for the CER, and a buffer for questions. Many delays are self-inflicted: a diagram that does not match the as-built system, or a meter that is not yet commissioned. Keep one person responsible for the application and a single folder with everything the CER may ask for.
What this means for you
Budget the application fee, plan for several weeks and organise your documents first. Once you create LGCs, you will want a buyer; read who buys LGCs from small solar systems and LGC creation timing. For small-scale STCs, Energy Merchants lists its rates on pricing, and the commercial solar hub collects related questions.