The Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC's) Explained
Harness Australia’s sunshine and slash your upfront solar costs today with the federal STC scheme.
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) is the Australian Government's flagship initiative to help homes and businesses transition to clean energy.
Under this program, eligible installations generate Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
Often referred to as the “federal solar rebate,” STCs act as an upfront, point-of-sale discount rather than a traditional cash-back grant. By trading the future clean energy your system will produce into today’s value, the scheme directly lowers the initial price tag of your new solar panels, battery storage, or solar water heater.
How it Works:
The government calculates how much renewable energy your system will generate between your installation date and the scheme’s expiration in 2030. For every megawatt-hour (MWh) of conventional electricity displaced, one STC is created.
Because STCs are traded on an open market, their dollar value fluctuates (currently capped around $40 ex GST by the government clearing house).
The good news? You don’t have to become a commodities trader. As your accredited installer, SAE Solar handles all the complex trading and paperwork. We calculate your total STC value and apply it immediately as a discount on your installation quote.
The Benefits of STCs:
-
Immediate Upfront Discount
The value of your STCs is deducted straight from your SAE Solar and Energy invoice, meaning no waiting around for Government cheques or refunds. -
Nationwide Availability
The STCs are accessible to households and businesses across all Australian states and territories. The SAE team works across multiple states, so ask us about your location.
-
Stackable Savings
The Federal STC discount can often be combined with other state-level rebates (such as the Home Energy Saver Rebate) for even greater savings! -
Boosts Your Home Value
Upgrading your property with heavily discounted solar infrastructure improves your energy efficiency and market appeal.
What the Incentive Gives You & How Much You Can Save
In 2026, the STC scheme provides a substantial discount that makes premium solar highly accessible.
The exact amount depends on your geographic location (which dictates your solar “Zone”), the size of your system, and the current market price of certificates.
See below for examples for a typical 6.6 kW residential solar system installed in 2026:
Zones 1 & 2:
Darwin &
Regional North
Save upwards of
$1,995
Zone 3:
Sydney, Brisbane, Adeliade, Perth & Canberra
Save approximately
$1,796
Zone 4:
Melbourne
& Hobart
Save approximately
$1,556
Eligibility and How to Access The STCs
To be eligible for the STC discount, your installation must meet a few straightforward criteria:
- The system must be installed at an Australian residential or commercial address.
- The solar PV system must be under 100 kW in capacity.
- The panels and inverters used must be approved by the Clean Energy Council (CEC).
- The system must be designed and installed by a CEC-accredited installer.
As a Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer with over 18,000 installations, SAE Group guarantees full compliance.
If you own the property you are living in, have a suitable roof, and haven’t already claimed STCs for a system of the exact same size at the same address, you are almost certainly eligible. Our team can confirm your site’s eligibility during our initial consultation.
How to Apply
The best part of the STC scheme is that you don’t have to navigate government portals or fill out complex grant applications. Instead, follow our simple 3 step guide:
- Get a Quote:
Reach out to the team at SAE Solar and let them know you would like to explore your STC options and see if you are eligible. - Review Your Discount:
We automatically assess your geographic zone and system size, factoring the exact STC discount directly into your custom quote. - Sign and Save:
Once you approve the quote and our expert team installs your system, you simply sign a form assigning the right to create the STCs to us. We take care of the rest!
Why Signing Up Sooner Maximises Your Savings
The STC scheme is currently on a legislated phase-out schedule. The federal discount is calculated based on a “deeming period” — essentially the number of years left until the scheme ends on December 31, 2030.On January 1st of every year, the deeming period drops by one year:
- For systems installed in 2026, the deeming period is 5 years
- On January 1st 2027, it will drop to 4 years
This means the exact same solar system will yield fewer STCs, and therefore a smaller discount, if you delay your installation.
For a standard 6.6 kW system in Zone 3, waiting until January 2027 means losing out on roughly $360 in government subsidies. For larger 10 kW systems, the loss is even greater.