Installing your solar panels

• Do not assign your STCs over to your solar panel Agent until the installation of your system is completed. If you are asked to sign any forms check that you are not signing an STC Assignment Form.
• If your Agent asks you to sign the STC Assignment Form before the installation of the system is completed they are breaking the law. If this has happened please contact the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator's Compliance Team - compliance@orer.gov.au
• Before your system is installed make sure that the system is eligible for STCs. Check with your Agent that:
  • The system has been installed correctly by an installer accredited by the Clean Energy Council.
  • All components of the installed system are new.
  • The components are listed in the Clean Energy Council list of accredited components.
  • The system and installation comply with Australian and New Zealand standards.
  • The system complies with all local, State and Federal requirements for the type of installation.
  • The solar panel system has a capacity of no more than 100 kW and has a total annual electricity output less than 250 MWh. 
    • If your system is larger it will be classified as a power station and will need to be accredited as a power station in order to be eligible for LGCs.
    • Visit Renewable Energy Power Stations for more information.
  • The STCs are created within 12 months of the installation date. If you choose to go through an Agent they will create the STCs on your behalf.
• You must be the owner of the system at the time it is installed to be entitled to assign or create STCs. In some circumstances, where the solar panels are installed in new buildings, the owner can be the builder or property developer.  Check your STC ownership before organising the installation.

The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator recommends that you request a copy of:

• The installer’s Clean Energy Council accreditation.
• Any documentation certifying that the electrical installation of the unit complies with laws relating to safety and technical standards. This could be in the form of a Certificate of Compliance, Installation Report and Electrician’s Licence.

Your installer may ask you to sign a statement that all required Local (Council) and State/Territory Government requirements for installation of a power-generating structure have been met.

Once the installation of your system is complete you can assign your STCs over to the solar panel Agent by signing an "STC Assignment Form".  

• Do not sign the form until the installation of your system is complete.
• Make sure you only sign the STC Assignment Form once.  
• For the purposes of the scheme the installation is classified as being completed when:
  • All parts of the system are installed and demonstrated to be capable of producing electricity. This includes the correct mounting of the solar panels/turbine, the completion of all of the DC wiring between the panels/turbine and the inverter/regulator, and the mounting/connecting of any other parts that are required to produce electricity.
  • For grid-connected small-scale solar panel, wind, and hydro systems, the inverter does not need to be connected to a meter or main-grid to be considered installed. 
• Read any supplied paperwork carefully to ensure:
  • you are making an accurate declaration about who installed your system
  • you are making an accurate declaration about when it was installed
  • that you are only signing one version of any form.
• Request and retain a copy of all documentation for your own records.
• Be satisfied that you have received, or are going to receive the specified discount or payment for the STCs.
• The STCs can only be assigned once. You cannot re-assign your STCs.

What will happen to the STCs?

Your solar panel Agent will create the STCs in an online system called the REC Registry. After the STCs have been validated the Agent will sell them to entities (usually electricity retailers) that have a legal requirement under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 to buy a certain number of STCs each year.

Although a majority of owners choose to go through a registered Agent to create and manage the STCs, some may choose to create the STCs themselves. This process is complicated and includes:

• determining the eligibility of the solar panels
• calculating the STCs
• completing the appropriate compliance paperwork 
• creating an account in the REC Registry
• verifying your identity
• creating STCs in the REC Registry
• waiting to have the STCs validated 
• finding a buyer or placing the STCs in the STC Clearing House queue. 

ORER cannot provide an estimate of how long it will take for STCs to sell in the Clearing House. STCs will only sell when a buyer is available and owners should plan their system purchase with this in mind.

Visit:

Creating STCs

Selling STCs

• If you believe an Agent or Installer has created STCs for an ineligible system – for example, if you have signed an STC Assignment Form but your system is not fully installed – please contact ORER on compliance@orer.gov.au .
• If you need to discuss your STC payment – including any delays in payment - contact your Agent.
• Payment for STCs or the rights to create STCs is a contractual matter between owner and Agent.
• ORER does not set the price of STCs traded outside of the STC Clearing House.
• ORER cannot mediate in price or payment-based disputes between owners and Agents.
• If you believe the terms of your contract are unfair, please contact the Department of Fair Trading in your State or Territory.