Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC's)

STC’s

Small-scale Technology Certificates

What are STC’s (Small-scale Technology Certificates)?

Under the Renewable Energy Target, every megawatt hour of qualifying energy generation is eligible for renewable energy certificates (RECs).

These certificates come in two types: large and small. Small-scale technology certificates (STCs) are the ones that apply to residential solar installations.

The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme creates a financial incentive for individuals and small businesses to install eligible small-scale renewable energy systems such as solar panel systems, solar water heaters and heat pumps.

Under this program, if you have installed an eligible small-scale renewable energy system within the past 12 months you may be eligible to create small-scale technology certificates.

You can consider an STC as a discount voucher on the cost of installing your solar system. Depending on how big your system is, and where you live, the number of STCs you are eligible for varies and therefore the amount of your rebate varies.

How does the scheme works?

When you buy a solar power systems from Energy Rating Systems, we have already discounted this value for you in your solar quote. That’s because we take over the hassle of registering and selling the STCs on the market from you. We give you a point of sale discount based on your STCs.

On the day of installation, you assign the STCs over to us, then we complete the registration of these certificates with the Renewable Energy Regulator on your behalf and eventually recoup their value. You don’t have to wait for this to happen, we do. You get an immediate deduction in cost.

How are STC’s calculated?

STCs are based on the expected output of the solar system until 2030 when the STC rebate will cease. One STC is the equivalent of 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable energy. So to calculate your STCs you will need to calculate how many MWh is produced by your system each year until 2030. Important the number of years in the calculation changes on the 1st of January each year. Without fail many in the solar industry will use this date to create a false sense of urgency as the change of one year will only impact the purchase price by around 4-5%.

The key thing for solar system shoppers to know is that Sharpe Energy Hub assume responsibility for STCs, applying the incentive in the form of a ‘discount’ directly to the price of your system.

The amount you get back from the STC scheme is based on 3 factors:

Zoning

Australia is divided up into various zones based on how much renewable energy can be generated by a solar panel in a given area. It works by postcode. Look up yours in this table and find out which zone you are in.

STC's value

The value of STCs fluctuates in the market. As of August 2021, one STC is worth around $38. The value of these STCs fluctuates depending on supply and demand.

Deeming period

The number of years remaining until the scheme is entirely phased out. Here’s how to calculate how many STCs you are eligible for: Solar system size (kW) x Postcode Zone Rating x Deeming Period (years) = Number of STCs (rounded down). So, if you install a 6.6kW system in Adelaide in 2021, you will receive 6.6 x 1.38 x 10 = 91.08 STCs.

But, how do I calculate the rebate?

Using the price of $38 as a current value of STCs, the “rebate” you would receive for the 6.6 kW system described earlier is approximately:

91.08 STCs x $38 = $3,461.04

But, how do I calculate the rebate?

Using the price of $38 as a current value of STCs, the “rebate” you would receive for the 6.6 kW system described earlier is approximately:

91.08 STCs x $38 = $3,461.04

Let our experts guide you through the maze of information, and canalise your home to provide the optimum solution size of Governmental incentives, and financial subsidies.

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