The Ultimate Guide to STC's (Small-Scale Technology Certificates)

Australia's Renewable Energy Target (RET) and Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs): A Comprehensive Guide

Delving into Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs)

An STC equates to one megawatt-hour of renewable electricity. This can be produced or replaced by eligible renewable energy systems, such as solar PVs, wind turbines, hydro systems, solar water heaters, and air source heat pumps.

Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), eligible systems have a right to a certain number of STCs. The actual number depends on the system's location, its installation date, and the total electricity it can generate or replace in megawatt-hours (MWh). For ease of calculation, the government provides tools like the small generation unit STC calculator and solar water heater STC calculator.

Certificates, once validated, can be considered as currency. System owners can sell them to recover some of their installation costs or negotiate their transfer to other businesses or individuals.

The STC market is dynamic, with two primary segments:

  1. The open market, where prices fluctuate based on demand and supply.
  2. The STC clearing house, with a set price of $40 per STC (excluding GST).

Those engaging in the market should be aware that STCs are commodities, and their prices will vary. This fluctuation is influenced by factors like electricity prices, feed-in tariffs, system costs, technology evolution, and consumer behavior.

Electricity retailers are the primary STC buyers. They need them to fulfill their renewable energy obligations. The quantity they require depends on the total electricity they buy or sell and the prevalent small technology percentage.

enviroflo heat pump hot water system

Criteria for Small-Scale System Eligibility

Enviroheat 250L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heaters
Enviroheat 250L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heaters
Enviroheat 250L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $2,299.00
Rheem 270L AmbiHeat | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heater - Heatpump
Rheem 270L AmbiHeat | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heater - Heatpump
Rheem 270L AmbiHeat | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $3,499.00
iStore 270L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heaters
iStore 270L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heaters
iStore 270L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $2,649.00
Envirosun M9 200L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Envirosun M9 330L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Envirosun M9 200L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $2,449.00
Stiebel Eltron WWK302H | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heater - Heatpump
Stiebel Eltron WWK302H | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heater - Heatpump
Stiebel Eltron WWK302H | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $3,699.00
Emerald Planet 270L E - Heater | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Emerald Energy 270L E - Heater | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Emerald Energy 270L E-Heater | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $2,649.00
Reclaim CO2 315L (REHP - CO2 - 315GL) | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Reclaim CO2 SS V2 400L (REHP - CO2 - 400SS) | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Reclaim CO2 315L (REHP-CO2-315GL) | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $5,099.00
Rheem 280L Ambipower | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Rheem 280L Ambipower | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Rheem 280L Ambipower | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $3,049.00
Enviroheat 200L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heaters
Enviroheat 200L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heaters
Enviroheat 200L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $2,449.00
Envirosun M9 330L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Envirosun M9 330L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Envirosun M9 330L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $2,649.00
Stiebel Eltron WWK222H | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heater - Heatpump
Stiebel Eltron WWK222H | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heater - Heatpump
Stiebel Eltron WWK222H | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $3,499.00
Rinnai 250L HotFlo Plus+ | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heater - Heatpump
Rinnai 250L HotFlo Plus+ | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $2,949.00
Stiebel Eltron WWK222 220L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heater - Heatpump
Envirosun M9 330L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Stiebel Eltron WWK222 220L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $3,349.00
Stiebel Eltron WWK302 302L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heater - Heatpump
Envirosun M9 330L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY -
Stiebel Eltron WWK302 302L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $3,549.00
iStore 180L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heaters
iStore 180L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY - Water Heaters
iStore 180L | Supply+Install | LIFETIME WARRANTY
from $2,349.00