Buying a home with solar on the roof raises a fair question: what about the STCs? The short version is that they were dealt with years ago, and they do not come with the house. This page covers the three versions of the question: what if STCs were already claimed, can I claim after buying, and who owns them.
When STCs are created
STCs are created for a small-scale system within 12 months of installation. They are created once, for the system at that address. In nearly every case the first owner assigned their right to the installer’s agent, took a discount and the certificates were sold into the market.
By the time you buy, the certificates have been sold and surrendered by energy retailers to meet their obligations. You cannot buy them back with the house and you cannot claim again on the same panels. See who owns the STCs on a solar system.
What if the STCs were already claimed?
Then there is nothing for you to do. It is the normal outcome. If you worry the previous owner or an installer made a mistake, such as claiming for a larger system than is on the roof, that is for the Clean Energy Regulator to audit and for the installer to put right, not for you to claim differently.
What if they were never claimed?
If the system was installed more than 12 months ago and no certificates were created, the window has closed and the system is not eligible. If it was installed recently, within the 12 months, the right sits with the previous owner or their agent, not with you unless the contract of sale transferred it. Ask the vendor or agent during conveyancing.
What you can still claim
- New panels or a larger inverter added by you may qualify for STCs on the new capacity. See adding or upgrading a second solar system.
- A home battery under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, whether or not you add solar, subject to the program rules. See getting a battery after solar.
- State incentives, depending on where you live.
What this means for you
Treat the solar as a used asset: check inspection reports, warranties and the inverter age. The STC question is closed. If you later fit a battery or more panels, a new installer can claim new certificates. Read the homeowners guide for what each upgrade qualifies for, and see how to check if STCs were claimed if you want the details of the original claim. Installers servicing second-hand owners can use STC trading and our pricing for any new claims.