An STC, or small-scale technology certificate, is worth whatever buyers will pay for it, up to a ceiling of $40. At the time of writing the market has been roughly $38 to $40, which is the tight range you would expect when the ceiling is close.
Who sets the price
Nobody sets it directly. The government sets the scheme rules and the $40 Clearing House fallback, and the market does the rest. Large energy retailers have to surrender certificates each year, and they buy from traders who have collected them from installers. Supply and demand then settle the price a little below $40.
What an installer or homeowner actually sees
For a homeowner, the certificate value is baked into the upfront discount on a solar or battery quote, which is why two quotes for the same system can differ. For an installer, it is the cash received when certificates are sold. The wholesale price is not the same as that payout; traders price in their costs, and the terms matter as much as the number.
Here is how the value scales on a rooftop system in 2026, using the deeming period of 5 years and a zone 3 rating of 1.382:
| System size | Approx. certificates | Value at $38 |
|---|---|---|
| 6.6 kW | 45 | about $1,710 |
| 10 kW | 69 | about $2,620 |
That is the market value, not a quote. The calculator guide shows how the figures are built.
Why it matters that the price is below $40
The ceiling is a safety valve. If oversupply pushed the price much lower, installers would feel it quickly. Right now the gap to $40 is small, which makes timing and terms the real differentiators between traders.
What this means for you
If you are an installer, compare the rate, lock and payment speed together. Energy Merchants publishes its rate daily on the pricing page with zero fees. For background, see what is an STC worth in 2026 and the STC trading pillar.
Prices move, so treat any number here as a snapshot and check the live figure before you quote a job.