Whether the rebate goes to you or to the installer comes down to a single signature. When you sign the STC assignment form, you hand over your right to create (and own) the certificates. The installer or its agent then sells them, and you are paid in the form of a lower price.
Why the installer is paid
STCs are created after the installation and sold afterward, often weeks later. Few households want to fund a $1,700 to $2,000 certificate value out of pocket while waiting, and few installers want to sell a system at a discount without owning the STCs that fund it. Assigning is simply the mechanism that links them: the installer uses the expected STC value as an upfront discount. It is also why the installer’s payment timing matters: they are carrying that value until the certificates are sold.
At the time of writing, STCs trade at roughly $38 to $40 each. A typical 6.6 kW zone 3 system earns about 45 in 2026, so about $1,710 to $1,800 of value is in play.
How to get paid yourself
You can decline to assign. You then pay the full, undiscounted price, keep the right to the certificates, and apply to create them in the registry. That can work, but there are rules about who may create them, deadlines after installation, and the work of finding a buyer. Read selling your own STCs first. Most households find assigning is simpler and does not cost them anything if the installer’s quote shows a fair discount.
Check the numbers
Whatever the route, get these three things in writing:
- The number of STCs for your system. Check it with our STC calculator.
- The dollar value per STC used on the quote.
- The total discount after any administration costs.
The assignment form resource explains what you are signing, and who owns the STCs covers ownership.
What this means for you
If you want certainty, take the discount. If you want to chase the extra dollars, expect effort. Either way, do not sign blank or incomplete forms. See the homeowners pillar. Installers who want clearer, faster settlement can look at how it works and pricing.
Common questions
What if the installer goes bust before claiming? Keep your signed form and invoice; your discount is already in the price, but ask the regulator or fair trading body about claim status. Do I get a cut of the sale? No, unless you agreed a fixed discount in writing.
A note on timing
The installer usually receives payment for the STCs only after the claim is lodged and checked, which is why quick, reliable settlement matters to them. That is the installer’s business concern rather than yours, but a well-run installer will not delay your install or your discount because of it. If you hear a pitch involving waiting for a refund, treat it with care.