Rates are only useful if you can see them before you commit. A trader that makes you call or fill out a form for a number is making comparison harder than it needs to be.
What a good rate page shows
- The current buy rate per STC, dated.
- When the rate locks, for example on lodgement of a complete claim.
- Any fees, or a clear statement that there are none.
- Settlement time, including what happens on a first claim.
- Rates for other certificate types you may trade, such as battery STCs and VEECs.
Reading the rate against the market
Spot has been roughly $38 to $40, with a $40 ceiling. A buy rate will sit under that. How far under tells you less than the terms attached, because a 20 day payment and an admin fee can erase a rate advantage quickly. See the comparison in STC payment terms, 20 days versus 1 day.
Using the rate in quotes
Calculate the certificate value for the zone and installation year, then use the current rate for the quote. Add a small buffer if the install date is some weeks out, and re-check the rate at lodgement. A calculator guide shows the maths.
What this means for installers
Energy Merchants’ rate is on the pricing page, updated daily and locked on lodgement of a complete claim, with zero fees. You can get a rate alert, or start trading when you are ready. The STC trading pillar explains the process.
Prices move, so treat any number here as a snapshot and check the live figure before you quote a job.
If you cannot find a published rate, treat that as information. Traders with confidence in their pricing tend to show it, and a gap between what is advertised and what you are quoted is worth questioning before you send any claims.
Many installers also want alerts rather than a daily visit to a page. If you quote frequently, sign up for rate notifications from your trader, and note the date and time on any quote that relies on a particular rate. That record is useful if a customer disputes the discount weeks later when the market has moved.