Legally, the right to the certificates belongs to the owner of the battery. In practice, nearly every homeowner signs an assignment form that hands that right to the installer, and the installer then claims the STCs. In return, you pay a lower price upfront. That discount is how the Cheaper Home Batteries Program reaches you.
How the exchange works
- You get a quote showing the full price and the STC discount.
- You sign an assignment, giving the installer the right to the certificates.
- The installer installs and documents the battery.
- The installer, or its trader, lodges the claim and receives the money for the certificates.
You do not receive any cash from the certificates yourself. You receive the benefit as a lower invoice.
What to check
- The discount is itemised on the quote, not hidden in the total.
- The battery model is on the approved list and is VPP-capable.
- The installer is accredited under the program.
- The usable capacity on the quote matches the product’s listing.
- The assignment is in writing and you have a copy.
The numbers are not trivial. A 13.5 kWh battery earns about 91 STCs in 2026, around $3,450 at roughly $38 per certificate at the time of writing. From 1 January 2027, the factor falls to 5.7 and the same battery earns about 76, with a further step to 5.2 on 1 July 2027.
Why it matters who claims
If the installer’s claim fails because of poor photos or the wrong product, the money may not arrive, and an installer with weak finances could pass that problem on. Pick someone with a clean track record and a reputable trader behind them.
What this means for you
Compare quotes on the price after the STC discount, and ask for clarity on the model, capacity and install date. Installers who are comfortable explaining all that tend to be the ones who get the paperwork right. See the battery STC overview, how the STC scheme works and the certificate glossary.