Selling a house with solar rarely raises an STC problem, but sellers worry anyway. This page covers what happens to the certificates, what the buyer can expect and what to hand over.
What happens to the STCs
STCs are created once, shortly after installation, and for most households they were assigned to the installer in return for a discount. They then moved through the market and were eventually used by energy companies to meet their obligations. By the time of a sale there is nothing left to transfer.
The right to create STCs belongs to the system owner at the time of installation, not the property. A buyer cannot claim STCs on a system you already had, and you cannot claim on a system you have sold. See who owns the STCs on a solar system.
When there can be a live issue
- A very recent install. If the system is within 12 months of installation and the STCs have not been created, make sure the installer will still claim, or the claim could fail. See how to check if your installer claimed.
- A dispute with the installer. If you are in a dispute over the discount or an audit, tell your conveyancer.
- A finance contract. Loans taken to buy the system may need to be settled at sale. See STCs and solar finance.
What buyers care about
Buyers care less about the certificates than about the system working. Hand over:
- The compliance certificate and network connection approval.
- Panel, inverter and battery details with serial numbers.
- The warranty documents and any workmanship warranty from the installer, noting whether it transfers.
- The original quote and invoice, which show the system size.
- Recent generation data if you have it.
Do you get a higher price?
Evidence on solar adding to value is mixed and depends on market and system age. Do not quote an STC number as an asset. The value is in running costs saved. A buyer who wants to add a battery may qualify for new STCs under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which is a selling point, not a transfer.
What this means for you
Keep the paperwork in one folder, put the system details in the contract of sale and decide early whether the panels stay. If you intend to take them, read what happens when you move house with solar. Buyers can read bought a house with solar. More on household rights is in the homeowners guide, and installers handling upgrades for new owners can see STC trading and pricing.