The STC discount is only available for systems built from approved components. Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, the panels and inverter must be on the Clean Energy Council’s approved lists on the installation date. A panel that is not on the list is outside the scheme, however good its specifications.
Why unlisted panels are excluded
The list is how the regulator knows the product meets the required standards, such as IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 for panels. Without a listing, there is no assurance, and the claim cannot be supported. It is not a matter of paperwork that can be fixed afterwards.
Common ways panels end up unlisted
- A brand-new model that has been released but not yet approved.
- An older model whose approval period has expired.
- A model that has been withdrawn or removed.
- A near-identical model name from the same manufacturer that is listed, while the one delivered is not. Ask for the model, not the brand.
What your options are
- Use a listed panel. The cleanest outcome, and usually a modest price difference.
- Wait for the listing. If the manufacturer has an application in progress, it may be listed soon. Install only after the listing date.
- Proceed without STCs. Possible for an off-scheme system, but the customer needs to understand they lose the upfront discount, and the quote must say so.
If the system is already installed, the answer depends on whether the product was listed on the installation date. See what happens if panels are removed from the list.
If the manufacturer says a listing is pending, treat that as a maybe, not a yes. Approval dates matter, and a product listed next month does not help an installation done this month. Wait for the listing, or choose a listed alternative and keep the customer’s schedule.
What this means for installers
Never rely on a supplier’s verbal assurance. Check the live CEC list for the model, note the date, and keep it with the job. Photos must also show the label clearly; see STC photo requirements. Where the product turns out to be ineligible, the cost of getting this wrong is a failed claim and an unhappy customer, which is why a lot of rejections trace back to the product checks in top STC claim rejection reasons.
What this means for homeowners
Before signing, ask for the exact panel and inverter model and look it up on the CEC site. It takes two minutes and confirms the discount in your quote can be claimed.
For how the discount itself works, see STC trading and the STC calculator. Installers can see current buy rates on pricing or start trading.