Off-grid solar and caravan solar get lumped together in searches, and the lumping causes bad purchases. The two have different answers. A fixed off-grid system on a remote property, a shed or a lived-in cabin can create small-scale technology certificates the same way a suburban rooftop does. A set of panels on a caravan that travels, or a folding kit in a boot, generally cannot.
This guide explains where the line sits, what the rules ask of an off-grid installer, and what the numbers look like, including why the certificate value on a portable kit would not matter even if it were eligible. The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has the final say, and we point out where to check.
The test: a system at a premises
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme rewards small generation units: systems installed at a premises, producing electricity there. The idea is that a fixed system displaces fossil-fuelled generation at that location over a period of years, and the certificates are the up-front payment for that deemed output.
That is why mobility is the problem. The CER’s guidance says transportable structures such as caravans and tiny homes are only treated as eligible off-grid sites where they generate electricity at the premises where they are installed, and a lived-in structure that is separate from the main residence, such as a granny flat, tiny home, houseboat or caravan, can qualify if it meets the dwelling requirements. A caravan that tows around the country with panels bolted to it is not generating at a fixed premises. A caravan permanently sited and lived in on a block may be different. If you are in that grey area, ask the CER in writing before you buy.
What is clearly not eligible
- Portable folding panels and power stations, including plug-in “solar suitcase” kits.
- Panels on vehicles, boats and trailers that move between sites.
- Systems that are not installed by an appropriately accredited installer.
- Equipment that is not approved for the scheme, including panels and inverters not on the approved product lists.
What is eligible: fixed off-grid systems
A stand-alone power system on a rural property, with panels fixed to a roof or ground frame, an off-grid inverter and a battery bank, can create STCs for the panels. The requirements add up:
- Accredited installer and designer. Off-grid solar and battery systems need an installer and designer with the right accreditation category, managed by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA, which took over from the Clean Energy Council). See the SAA definition.
- Approved products. Panels and inverters must be approved for the scheme.
- Standards compliance. The system must meet the relevant Australian Standards, with a state electrical compliance certificate.
- Evidence. Photos, serial numbers and the assignment form, as with any claim. The photo requirements apply.
- Installation at a premises where the electricity is used.
Because the paperwork is the same, the certificate count is simple.
Worked numbers
The STC count is system size in kW x zone rating x deeming years, rounded down. The deeming period is five years for 2026 installs. Zone ratings are 1.622 for zone 1, 1.536 for zone 2, 1.382 for zone 3 and 1.185 for zone 4. Alice Springs is zone 1, Darwin zone 2, most capital cities including Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide zone 3, and Melbourne and Hobart zone 4.
| System | Zone | Calculation | STCs | Value at $38 to $40 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 kW off-grid, remote Alice Springs area | 1 | 5 x 1.622 x 5 | 40 | $1,520 to $1,600 |
| 4 kW off-grid, Darwin rural | 2 | 4 x 1.536 x 5 | 30 | $1,140 to $1,200 |
| 6 kW off-grid, rural WA near Perth | 3 | 6 x 1.382 x 5 | 41 | $1,558 to $1,640 |
| 3 kW off-grid, rural Victoria | 4 | 3 x 1.185 x 5 | 17 | $646 to $680 |
| 400 W portable kit, if it were eligible | 3 | 0.4 x 1.382 x 5 | 2 | $76 to $80 |
The last row shows why the portable question rarely matters financially: even a hypothetical claim is worth about $80 before any trader margin and the paperwork would outweigh it. Look up your postcode with the STC calculator and the zone map answer.
Next year the deeming period drops to four years, so a 5 kW zone 1 system would create 5 x 1.622 x 4 = 32 STCs, eight fewer. If a remote property is planning a system, the deeming period article shows what changes on 1 January.
Off-grid batteries
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program creates STCs for batteries between 5 and 100 kWh usable, with up to 50 kWh eligible. A condition is a CEC-approved, VPP-capable battery installed by an accredited installer. Virtual power plant capability implies a grid connection, so a fully off-grid battery bank is unlikely to qualify. The CER also notes that a battery should remain at the property for the duration of its warranty or until the end of 2030, whichever is later, and if it is moved to another premises, it is no longer eligible. Because rules differ by setup, read the DCCEEW eligibility page and see the battery STCs pillar.
From the desk: the commonest off-grid mistake is a quote that promises an STC discount on a system that is really a set of portable or vehicle-mounted panels. Ask the seller to name the installer’s accreditation, the product approval and the premises the system will be fixed to. If the answer to any is vague, the discount is probably not real, and you should price the job without it.
Remote logistics
Off-grid installers often work hours from a town, and the practical problem is evidence. A remote job needs the same geo-tagged photos, serial numbers and signed assignment form as a city job, and a return trip for a missing photo can cost a day. Build a checklist and capture everything before you leave site. Our installation photo checklist is a good template, and for cash flow on remote jobs see the cash flow answer.
What to do next
- If you are buying, confirm the system is fixed at a premises, uses approved products and is installed by an accredited installer.
- Ask for the STC count and the dollar value separately on the quote.
- If you are an installer, treat off-grid claims like any other claim and lodge a complete pack. See STC trading and our pricing page for the daily rate.
- For an answer on who owns the certificates on a system, see who owns the STCs.
For definitions of any term used here, see the glossary.