The REC Registry is the system where STCs and LGCs are created, held and transferred, so when it is slow, offline or being changed, every installer and trader feels it. Registry outages tend to be short, but changes to forms, fields or validation can cause weeks of rejected claims if you miss them.
What we can say
We have not verified any particular 2026 outage, and we would rather not guess. What does matter is how to prepare:
- Know where notices appear. The Clean Energy Regulator publishes scheduled maintenance and system changes. Check its announcements regularly, and subscribe to updates if your account allows.
- Watch for rule changes that look like system changes. For example, the new battery photo and evidence rules from 1 March 2026 and the mid-scale solar STC arrangements that CER says open for applications in mid to late November 2026 will bring new fields or forms. See the 2026 changes summary.
- Do not assume a failure is yours. If a valid upload fails, retry later and note the time and error message.
What to do when the registry is unavailable
- Have the claim ready. Prepare photos, serials and forms so you can lodge as soon as it returns. A tidy file is the best protection.
- Record the problem. Take a screenshot of errors with the date and time.
- Tell your trader. If you lodge through a trader, they will know whether the outage affects processing times. Ask how their rate lock works: Energy Merchants publishes a rate daily and locks it on lodgement of a complete claim.
- Watch your creation deadline. The 12-month window for creating an STC does not stop for an outage, so do not leave claims to the last week.
- Contact the CER if you are at risk. For example, if a deadline falls within an outage, ask in writing.
After a change
When the registry changes, expect more rejections for a while. Common causes are new mandatory fields, changed serial formats and updated validation rules. Our guide to what happens when claims fail validation and how to fix a failed claim apply here. If your claim is stuck rather than rejected, see claims stuck at the CER.
What this means for installers
Stay flexible and keep records. Use a trader that tells you promptly what is happening and can pre-check claims before they go in. For how claims move end to end see how it works, how the registry works, and pricing. The photo guide is worth rereading when rules change.