New legal requirements commenced from 1 April 2022 that affect solar businesses and claims for small-scale technology certificates (STCs).
See changes to the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) for an overview of all the changes. For industry specific updates see
installers and designers, agents, manufacturers and solar retailers to ensure you are compliant with the new obligations.
Visit
forms and guides for assistance with all requirements.
Subscribe to Renewable Energy Target email updates to stay up to date about important changes for solar businesses.
The SRES creates a financial incentive for individuals, households and small businesses to install eligible small-scale renewable energy systems. Examples include:
- solar panel systems
- small-scale wind systems
- small-scale hydro systems
- solar water heaters
- air source heat pumps.
Each megawatt hour of renewable energy generated/or displaced by the system is awarded one small-scale technology certificate (STC). STCs are calculated from installation date until the end of 2030 when the scheme ends.
System owners typically assign the right to an agent to sell STCs on their behalf to receive an upfront lower purchase price. System owners can alternatively claim and sell the STCs themselves. Visit
information for consumers for more information on this process.
Liable entities also have a legal obligation to buy and
surrender STCs to the Clean Energy Regulator on a quarterly basis.
The number of STCs required to be submitted by electricity retailers is set each year by the
small-scale technology percentage.
Learn more about
systems eligible under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.