This page is under review
On 29 February 2024, we announced Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) as the new installer and designer accreditation scheme operator under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. SAA replaces the previous operator, the Clean Energy Council.
Information on this page may be out of date. The content on this page is under review and will be updated soon.
All accredited installers and designers must transfer to the SAA. For more information, email us at cer-sresreforms@cer.gov.au.
This page provides individuals and small business with the forms and resources to assist them to participate in the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) may update or remove this information as required and you are encouraged to check you’re using the latest version of each document.
Individuals and small businesses that intend create small-scale technology certificates (STCs) for their own systems (not using a registered agent) will need to obtain relevant documents from their system’s designer, installer and solar retailer (where applicable) for the system to be eligible. For more information on the documents required for individuals and small businesses to create their own STCs see
System owners claiming small-scale technology certificates.
For information on how to register as a person to create STCs see the
REC Registry.
There are changes to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 from 1 April 2022 that impact documentation requirements for small-scale technology certificate (STCs) eligibility.
Contents
For solar PV installations on or after 1 April 2022
In order to create STCs, you must obtain the following:
- Written compliance statements, using
documentasset:Sample designer and installer written statement, from the accredited designer and installer of the unit confirming:
- all relevant design and install requirements for the accreditation scheme under which they are accredited have been met
- all local, state and territory requirements have been met
- the installer has a copy of the design and the system was installed to meet the design or modified the design in accordance with the requirements of the accreditation scheme
- that the electrical work was undertaken by an electrical worker holding an unrestricted licence and that relevant documentation required by the jurisdiction has been provided to the system owner
- all on-site attendance requirements have been met and they have evidence demonstrating attendance
- approved PV modules and inverters were used in the installation
- A written statement, using
documentasset:Sample solar retailer written statement, by the solar retailer confirming:
- the name of the installer and whether the installer is an employee or subcontractor of the solar retailer
- the system will perform in accordance with the contract except to the extent that the performance is prevented by circumstances outside the retailer’s control
- the unit is complete and generating, or is capable of generating, electricity
- if the unit is grid connected that the unit is connected to the grid, or the solar retailer has completed its obligations under the contract in relation to the unit’s grid connection
- information about feed-in tariffs and export limits relevant for the system have been provided in writing to the owner
- information on the expected payback period, energy or cost savings for the unit has been provided in writing to the system owner
- the information in the statement is true, complete and correct
- any actual or potential conflicts of interest of the solar retailer have been managed appropriately
- a declaration by the agency that the solar retailer is not eligible to make written statements of STC eligibility is not in effect on the day the statement is given.
- If requested, information demonstrating that the inverter serial number(s) entered into the REC Registry is the serial number(s) of the inverter(s) installed at the address, such as a clear photo of the barcode label or sticker, obtained from the inverter label. Inverter barcodes (including microinverters) that have been scanned from cargo manifests or stickers that have been removed from the products do not demonstrate the installation of inverters. It is recommended that these photos are taken at the time of installation to avoid returning to site after installation and delays in processing.
For solar PV installations on or before 31 March 2022
Additional documents applying to all Solar PV installations
In order to create STCs, you must obtain the following:
- A certificate of electrical safety or certificate of compliance, provided to you by your installer.
- An invoice for your system, provided to you by the solar retailer or installer.
- If requested, information demonstrating that the serial numbers entered in the REC Registry are the serial numbers of solar panels installed at the address, such as a clear photo of the barcode label or sticker, obtained from the solar panel label. It is recommended that these photos are taken at the time of installation as the Clean Energy Regulator does not encourage homeowners to climb on roofs to take photographs of serial numbers. Any inspection of panels on roofs should only ever be completed by a Clean Energy Council accredited installer or licensed electrician.
Small-scale wind and hydro systems will require installer compulsory written statements, an electrical safety certificate and invoice for pre and post 1 April 2022 installations.
Documents for solar water heaters or air source heat pumps
- A commissioning or compliance certificate provided by the installer of the system
- If you are installing a system with a capacity greater than 700 litres you are required under the SRES to submit
2 statutory declarations to the agency prior to creating STCs
Resources
STC assignment question and answers
The Clean Energy Regulator has developed a range of
small-scale technology certificate assignment question and answers to help with understanding the STC assignment process.