Eligibility for STCs is attached to the system and the installation, not to the person. That matters because it changes who needs to check what. A household needs to confirm the install is done properly, and an installer needs to confirm their accreditation and equipment.
Eligible systems
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme covers rooftop solar up to 100 kW with annual generation under 250 MWh (and, from 1 October 2026, mid-scale solar up to 1 MW; see mid-scale solar STCs), small wind and hydro, solar water heaters, and air-sourced heat pump water heaters. Batteries now sit under a separate STC mechanism through the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which covers 5 to 100 kWh usable, with up to 50 kWh eligible. See which solar systems are eligible for equipment specifics.
Who can create the certificates
The system owner holds the right, and usually assigns it to a registered agent, typically the installer. To create certificates, you need a Clean Energy Regulator registry account and a compliant claim. Meanwhile the installer needs the right accreditation. For solar, that is Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation plus an electrical licence.
Conditions that apply to every claim
- New equipment that is on the approved list.
- Installation to the relevant Australian standards.
- Photos and documents that prove the above.
- A signed assignment from the owner if the installer is claiming.
- The claim lodged within the allowed time.
Where people get caught
Mistakes are usually about paperwork, not eligibility. A serial number that does not match the approved list, a blurred photo or a missing signature can all stall a claim. Our photo requirements guide and the top rejection reasons cover the common ones.
From the desk: installers should check approval status of every panel and inverter model on the day of install, not at claim time. Lists change.
A word on timing
Eligibility is judged at the date of installation, not the date of the claim. Equipment approvals, accreditation status and the deeming period are all taken as they stood on the day the system was installed. That is why installers keep dated evidence on file, and why a job that slips over 1 January earns fewer certificates than one finished in December.
What this means for you
Homeowners can be fairly relaxed: use an accredited installer and read the paperwork. Installers need to treat eligibility as a checklist for every job. Start with STC trading and the resources hub for the full picture, or check do I qualify for the solar rebate if you are a household.