How to create STCs

The Clean Energy Regulator has developed the Deemed installations bulk upload guidelines based on the Bulk Upload Guidelines found in the REC Registry. They have been prepared to assist you in understanding the requirements of using the Bulk Upload functionality in the REC Registry.

• Use the Guidelines if you want to create your own template, or just want a list of all the formatting rules for reference.
• The Clean Energy Regulator's SWH and SGU workbooks can be used for bulk upload STC creation in the REC registry if required. Instructions for use are on the first sheet of the excel workbook. The workbooks contain validation checks and use macros for converting the .xls files into a .csv file for upload into the REC Registry.
  For the latest version of these bulk upload workbooks please email a request to the Clean Energy Regulator at retscheme@cleanenergyregulator.gov.au
• Please note that your version of MS Excel must be configured to enable the macros.

When entering address details fill out all relevant fields.

The address of the installation must be sufficient to allow an officer of the Clean Energy Regulator to visit the installation without requesting additional information. The Clean Energy Regulator requires the following information as part of the installation address:

• Street number, street name, town/suburb, state/territory, postcode

If a street number is not available for the location, the Clean Energy Regulator may accept the following:

• Lot number
• Property name, and distance and direction from the nearest town/intersection/landmark also included in the address;
• Boat name or chassis number
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) location
• Roadside Mail Box (RMB) number or Roadside Delivery (RSD) number
• An entry in the special address field that states how a Clean Energy Regulator officer could find the address and the unit on the property.

If none of the information listed above is available, please contact the Clean Energy Regulator for further advice.

Supply sufficient information if there are two or more installations at a specific address.

• If there are two installations at a single address the Clean Energy Regulator requires a way to identify where each unit is located on the property.
• Certificates will not be passed for units that do not supply sufficient information to describe where they are located in comparison to current or previous units at the address.
• You can enter a description into the special address field in the online forms.  For example, one unit could be nominated “west” and the other as “east”, or other descriptions can be used such as “Main house” and “Granny Flat”.

Site maps

Supply a site map if there are a large number of units at a single address.  (Link is a sample site map only).

When maps have been sent to the Clean Energy Regulator via email you must put a note in the special address field that states the date the email was sent and a number and/or description that matches the map that was sent via email.

Suggested details to include on the map are:

You should make sure all maps submitted to the Clean Energy Regulator have the exact locations of the units drawn on the map. If maps are missing details such as tank serial numbers, product numbers, locations, address details or the owner’s name then the Clean Energy Regulator may not be able to pass the STCs.

The email sent to the Clean Energy Regulator that has the map attached should also state the address in the subject heading.

Agents should make sure all maps submitted to the Clean Energy Regulator have the exact locations of the tanks drawn on the map. If maps are missing details such as tank serial numbers, locations, address details and the owners name then the Clean Energy Regulator may not be able to pass the STCs. The email sent to the Clean Energy Regulator that has the map attached should also state the address in the subject heading.

You may wish to contact your installers and inform them of all the information they need to include on the maps they provide.

Solar Credits 

If you are applying for Solar Credits for multiple systems at a single address you must provide evidence of their eligibility for Solar Credits to the Clean Energy Regulator by emailing as much detail as possible including:

• location,
• address,
• boundaries,
• road access,
• title information,
• access to electrical connection and metering,
• ownership,
• occupancy,
• nature of business,
• ABN
• maps
• and other information you may wish to provide.

When the above details have been sent to the Clean Energy Regulator via email you must put a note in the special address field that states the date the email was sent and a description that matches the content that was sent via email.

The Clean Energy Regulator can only validate multiple Solar Credits at a single address when sufficient evidence of separate eligible premises have been provided.

The Assignment Form and Compliance Statement requires that the brand and model of both panels and inverter be specified in order to be checked against the CEC listings.  This information is not yet reflected in the REC Registry forms and must be entered as follows:

• Enter the brand of both panel and inverter in the "Brand" field,
• Enter  the model of both panel and inverter in the "Models" field. 

STCs/LGCs that are created and do not meet the above requirements will be failed.

From 1 February, 2011, all certificates created in the REC Registry against a small-scale solar panel, wind, or hydro system must be accompanied by a calculation of the out-of-pocket expenses associated with the purchase, installation, and connection of the system.  This is regardless of the system's installation date.

In its simplest form, the calculation is:

Amount A – Amount E = Out-of-pocket expenses amount (OE)

Amount A is the complete cost of the SGU, including purchase, install, and connection and all equipment and services required to set up a working SGU.

Amount E is all amounts paid to the purchaser, related to the installation of the SGU.  This includes the value of STCs (including Solar Credits) and any State/Federal Government rebates supplied as a result of the SGU installation.

Additional amounts taking into consideration (for eg) discounted or free products or services supplied with the SGU can be seen in the full calculation.  For the full calculation and explanations, please see the Out of Pocket Expenses page.

For example, a complete purchase, installation and connection of a domestic SGU may come to $15,000.
STCs for that unit (priced at $40ea – Clearing House price and including the relevant Solar Credits calculation) come to $4000.
The relevant State Government has a one-off rebate for solar panels of $1500.
The out-of-pocket expense for the unit is:
$15000 – ($4000 + $1500) = $9500. 
$9500 is the amount you place in the REC Registry when creating STCs for your small-scale system.

You must retain all paperwork to justify this amount.  The Clean Energy Regulator can and does audit registered persons against the out-of-pocket expenses amount supplied with STCs and if the documentation cannot be supplied, STCs can be failed and must be re-submitted.

The Clean Energy Regulator conducts auditing and compliance activities which include sighting the paperwork required. Failure to comply with the regulations can result in penalties and prosecution where warranted.

When duplicate water heater tank serial numbers, or duplicate solar panel numbers, are entered into the REC Registry, the Clean Energy Regulator will require you to conduct a site audit of the units involved. The more evidence you can supply to the Clean Energy Regulator of the inspection occurring the more likely your STCs will get passed without issue.

There are three ways to conduct a site audit.

1. Ask installers or home owners to take photos of the serial numbers involved. Provide the Clean Energy Regulator with a copy of these photos along with a signed REC Assignment Form that confirms the tank serial or PV panel number. 
2. Ask installers to go back to the site and fill out a site audit report that states the address, tank/PV panel brand, model, serial number and a date that the installer inspected it along with their signature.  Example site audit declaration forms can be found on the Clean Energy Regulatorwebsite.
3. Ring the owner of the unit and ask them to complete a physical inspection while you are on the phone. You can then email the Clean Energy Regulator stating that the owner visually checked and confirmed the tank serial/PV panel number. 

The Clean Energy Regulator does not mind how you check the tank serial numbers just as long as you can provide some form of evidence that someone has physically checked the serial number. A clear photo is the best form of evidence and has a higher chance of STCs being passed without further issues.

If you need to create STCs for an SGU that has had STCs created for a previous deeming period, you must fill out an Application to obtain accreditation codes form. 

This form is to be completed when:

• you need to obtain the accreditation code for a small generation unit for which the right to create STCs has been properly assigned to them
• STCs have been previously created for that small generation unit by another registered agent.

The Clean Energy Regulator will only supply accreditation codes when the right to create STCs properly assigned to you. By submitting this form to the Clean Energy Regulator you are warranting that the right to create STCs has been properly assigned to you under Subdivision BA of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000.

How to create STCs for off-grid systems to ensure they are placed in the queue for the additional solar credits multiplier up to 20kW.

Currently the REC Registry has not been updated with this amendment, so you must use the process below to ensure you get the correct multiplier.

1. Ensure the system fulfils all eligibility criteria for STCs, as outlined under "How to have STCs assigned to you".
   • This includes all the documentation appropriate to the type of installation.
   • You must also have a correctly-signed STC Assignment form and Compliance Paperwork.
2. Ensure the system complies with the eligibility requirements for an off-grid system.
3. Create STCs in the REC Registry as usual and indicate that the system is off-grid.
4. Once you have created your STCs, email the Clean Energy Regulator at retscheme@cleanenergyregulator.gov.au stating that the system is off-grid in the subject line.
5. In the email, include the associated accreditation code, the STC Assignment Form, Compliance Paperwork, and evidence that the system conforms to the above eligibility requirements for off-grid SGUs.
6. This evidence must include one of the following:
   • A statutory declaration from the owner that the system is more than 1km from the main grid and the method of determining the distance from the grid. Examples might be satellite images, aerial photographs or a map.
   • A letter from the network provider that the system is more than 1km from the main grid.
   • A letter from the network provider showing that the total cost of connecting the SGU to the main grid is more than $30,000. 
7. The Clean Energy Regulatorwill contact you regarding the validation of the LGCs/STCs.

• The Clean Energy Regulator endeavours to validate STCs within 4 weeks of receiving all related documentation.
• It is the your responsibility to ensure that STCs are correctly created and the related documentation is provided in a timely manner.
• Please allow sufficient time for the Clean Energy Regulator to validate STCs before any contractual deadlines to transfer/sell the STCs to another party.
• If you need to request the withdrawal (“fail”) of STCs from the REC Registry before they are validated, please contact the Clean Energy Regulator as soon as possible.

All  STCs created in the REC Registry are audited, which can take up to 4 weeks. If there are duplicates or errors this can slow down the Clean Energy Regulator’s administration processes, including the time taken to validate correctly created STCs.

Some of the common reasons for STC failure by the Clean Energy Regulator are:

• Incorrect serial number
• Insufficient installation address
• Multiple installations at an address with insufficient supporting documentation including failure to investigate if there has been a previous system at an address.
• Additional capacity with insufficient supporting documentation
• Wrong model number
• Uploading the same bulk upload twice
• Incorrect CEC accreditation details. 

Until your STCs are correctly validated, they cannot be listed made available for sale in the STC market, or for transfer in the STC Clearing House.

If your STCs are failed, they will need to be re-created.  Please see Failed Certificates for more information.