Solar water heaters and heat pump water heaters sit under the same federal small-scale scheme as rooftop solar. The conditions are different from PV though, and most rejections come from the product or the paperwork, not the system.
The eligibility checklist
1. Registered product. The exact model must be registered for STC creation. A look-alike with a different model code does not qualify.
2. Eligible installer. The installer must hold the right licence for plumbing and electrical work, and any accreditation the scheme requires for the type of system.
3. Correct installation type. New, replacement or additional. See the installation type guide for how each is evidenced.
4. Zone and rating. The STC count comes from the registered rating and the climate zone for the postcode. See the zone rating postcode guide for how postcodes map to zones.
5. Evidence. Photos of the unit, plate, serial numbers and, for replacements, the old unit being removed. The hot water checklist lists what to capture.
Common traps
- Quoting a unit that is out of stock and swapping a different model at install without updating the claim.
- Missing serial photos, or photos too dark to read the plate.
- A replacement claimed as new, which changes the STC count.
Documents to attach to every claim
Build a standard pack for each hot water claim: the signed assignment form, a clear photo of the compliance plate, the serial number of the unit and, where relevant, the tank or collector, a wide photo of the installed system, a photo of the old unit before removal for replacements, and your accreditation and licence details. Keeping the same pack structure on every job makes pre-checking quick, and it is easier to train a new crew member on a template than on a list of exceptions.
What this means for installers
Build the check into your job sheet and lodge only complete claims. Our hot water STC page explains how we settle them, and pricing shows the current rate. For federal background, see heat pump hot water STCs explained.