Topic
How the scheme works: STP, liable entities and the RET
15 pages, one place. Start with the quick answers, go deeper with the articles.
Quick answers 15
- What is a binding versus non-binding STP, and when is it released?The binding STP is the legal percentage for a given year, set by 31 March. Non-binding STPs are the regulator's estimates for later years: 10.75 per c…
- How and when do liable entities surrender STCs? Is the deadline 28 February?Liable entities surrender STCs through the REC Registry each quarter. The deadlines are 28 April, 28 July, 28 October and 14 February. The regulator h…
- What is a liable entity under the Renewable Energy Target?A liable entity is a company that buys electricity from the grid for use or resale, mainly electricity retailers, and must surrender renewable certifi…
- What is the shortfall charge for STCs: $65 per certificate?Yes. The Clean Energy Regulator applies a shortfall charge of $65 for each STC a liable entity fails to surrender. It is well above the $40 Clearing H…
- How many STCs are created each year in Australia?The Clean Energy Regulator reports 34.1 million STCs created in 2024 and 25.0 million in 2025, both excluding batteries under the Cheaper Home Batteri…
- What is the REC Registry?The REC Registry is the Clean Energy Regulator's online system where renewable energy certificates (STCs and LGCs) are created, validated, held, trans…
- What is the Renewable Energy Target and how does the STC obligation work?The Renewable Energy Target (RET) is the federal scheme that makes electricity retailers buy renewable certificates. It has two parts: the Large-scale…
- What is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)?The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) is the federal scheme that creates small-scale technology certificates (STCs) for rooftop solar, solar …
- What legislation governs STCs and the SRES?STCs and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme are governed by the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 and the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Re…
- What is the small-scale technology percentage by year, 2019 to 2026?The STP was 28.80 per cent in 2021, 27.26 in 2022, 16.29 in 2023, 21.26 in 2024, 13.89 in 2025 and is 11.67 in 2026. 2019 and 2020 were reported at 21…
- Who buys STCs in Australia? Retailers, traders and the Clearing HouseElectricity retailers and other liable entities are the end buyers of STCs because they must surrender them. Installers typically sell to certificate …
- How many STCs will be created in 2026 and 2027?The Clean Energy Regulator based the 2026 small-scale technology percentage (11.67%) on an estimate of about 24.1 million STC creations, excluding bat…
- How is the small-scale technology percentage calculated, and who sets it?The STP is the estimated number of STCs to be created plus a cumulative adjustment, divided by relevant electricity acquisitions less exemptions, time…
- STP vs RPP: what is the renewable power percentage?The renewable power percentage (RPP) sets how many LGCs retailers must surrender under the large-scale scheme, while the small-scale technology percen…
- Who regulates the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme?The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) regulates the SRES. It runs the REC Registry, validates and audits STC claims, sets the annual small-scale technology…
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