Small-scale technology certificates for solar still below targets in Australia

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Flickr: Coop Biodiversity

Small-scale technology certificates (STCs) were created for 10,487 solar PV systems, totalling 56.3MW capacity, in Australia in April, but this fell well below the STC targets set by the regulator.

Once created and validated, STCs act as a form of currency and can be sold to recoup a portion of the cost of purchasing and installing a power system, or transferred to other individuals and businesses at a negotiated price, according to the Clean Energy Regulator.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

A report from research and advisory firm Green Energy Markets stated that STC creation remains “noticeably below the rate required for the 2016 target, running at an average of 279,000 STCs per week (year to date) compared to a 327,300 target”.

Commercial PV systems accounted for 26% of the installed capacity with STCs in April.

Installed capacity by state for past month and year to date +10kW. Credit: Green Energy markets

Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) were accredited to five solar power stations last month, well below the record 17 power stations accredited in March.

Solar water heater (SWH) system numbers surged, up 18% on last month's figures to 5,670. The growth was driven entirely by the state of Victoria, where the number of systems were up 75%, However New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania all recorded falls in system numbers.

Read Next

July 11, 2025
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has revealed that several utility-scale solar PV power plants experienced curtailment of above 25% in the National Electricity Market (NEM) in 2024.
July 10, 2025
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced a new AU$60 million (US$39.4 million) funding round to bolster R&D efforts to achieve ultra-low-cost solar.
Premium
July 8, 2025
In the latest NEM data spotlight, solar generation in Australia reached its yearly lowest month, while rooftop solar prices spiked to AU$225.57/MWh.
July 4, 2025
Australian retailer AGL Energy has confirmed its acquisition of South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant (SAVPP) from Tesla.
July 2, 2025
A new state-owned green bank, the Energy Security Corporation (ESC), has launched in New South Wales, Australia, with an initial funding allocation of AU$1 billion (US$640 million).
July 2, 2025
Indigenous-led renewable energy company Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC) has submitted plans for a hybrid wind and solar PV renewable energy project to the Australian government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK