Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme creates a financial incentive for individuals and businesses to install eligible small-scale renewable energy systems such as solar panel systems, small-scale wind systems, small-scale hydro systems, solar water heaters and air source heat pumps. It does this through the creation of small-scale technology certificates. Renewable Energy Target liable entities (eg Energy Retailers) have a legal obligation to buy and surrender to the Clean Energy Regulator on a quarterly basis.
Small-scale technology certificates can be created following the installation of an eligible system, and are calculated by the amount of electricity a system produces or displaces.
System Eligibility
Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, eligible small-scale renewable energy systems may be entitled to small-scale technology certificates, which can be sold to recoup a portion of the cost of purchasing and installing the system.
Small-scale renewable systems which may be eligible for certificates include:
- solar photovoltaic (PV) panels – Up to and including 100kW
- wind turbines – Up to and including 10kW
- hydro systems – Up to and including 6.4kW
- solar water heaters (SHW)
- air source heat pumps (HP) – Up to 425 litres
If the small-generation unit is larger than the capacity limits listed above, it will be classified as a power station and must be accredited as a power station under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target. If accreditation is successful, the unit may be eligible for large-scale generation certificates (LGCs).
For PV, Hydro and Wind Systems to be eligible for STCs systems must:
- be installed no more than 12 months prior to the creation of certificates, and have its panels and inverters, listed on the Clean Energy Council list of approved components
- meet Australian and New Zealand standards
- use a Clean Energy Council accredited designer and installer and meet the Clean Energy Council design and install guidelines
- comply with all local, state, territory and federal requirements, including electrical safety
For SHW and HP System to be eligible for STCs, systems must:
- be listed on the register of solar water heaters
- be installed no more than 12 months prior to the creation of certificates
How can Trade In Green help?
Trade In Green is a registered Agent under the Renewable Energy Target Scheme. We register the certificates when systems are installed and pay the nominated beneficiary (installer/retailer or system owner as nominated) for the certificates. Through our processes we ensure compliance under the scheme and payment for the STCs. In simple terms the process works as follows:
- When a system is installed the system owner assigns their rights to the STCs to Trade In Green by completing our STC Assignment form and providing the supporting documentation
- Trade In Green perform a compliance check of the paperwork and we create the STCs through the government registry,
- Trade In Green then pay the installer/retailer or system owner (as nominated on the STC Assignment Form) for the STCs
If you have registered STCs (held on the rec-registry) Trade In Green will also purchase these in any quantity. Simply contact us for a price.
