Power station accreditation

Written and checked by the Energy Merchants desk · Reviewed 3 October 2026

Power station accreditation is the step that lets a renewable generator create LGCs. The operator applies to the Clean Energy Regulator (CER), which checks the station, its energy source, its capacity and its connection and then accredits it. Once accredited, the station can register output and create certificates.

It applies to larger generators: solar farms, wind farms, hydro stations, bioenergy plants and similar. Small rooftop systems do not accredit. They are small generation units, which create STCs upfront.

What the application covers

• The eligible renewable energy source and the technology used.
• The nameplate capacity and the site.
• The grid connection and metering arrangements.
• Ownership, and a fit and proper person check on the applicant.
• For older stations, an electricity baseline, which is deducted before LGCs are created.

Accreditation takes time, and developers usually apply before construction is finished so that certificates are available from the first day of generation.

In practice

Installers meet accreditation at the boundary of the small and large schemes. A commercial rooftop job near 100 kW raises the question of which side of the line it sits on. Up to and including 100 kW, solar is a small generation unit. From 1 October 2026, systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW can create STCs with a fixed five-year deeming period, and above 1 MW the generator accredits and creates LGCs. See mid-scale solar STCs for how the pathway splits.

Common confusion

Accreditation is not registration. An agent registers with the CER to create and trade STCs. A power station is accredited. They are different processes. See registered agent.

It is also not an installer accreditation. Solar installers hold their own accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia, which concerns people, not the plant.

Process for small systems is in STC trading. More terms live in the glossary.