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QueenslandSTC Compliance Process Update – 01 April 2022
From the 1st of April, several changes have been implemented into the compliance process for Solar STCs. These changes directly affect solar installers and designers, agents and retailers.
This set of changes has been brought into effect under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Regulations 2021. There are a series of changes that will unroll throughout 2022. The aim of the reforms is to strengthen the compliance requirements to create a sector with greater integrity, ultimately decreasing the risk of fraudulent STC claims.
What has changed?
1. The STC assignment form and written statement requirements
An STC claim must have written statements from the associated retailer, designer and installer.
There is a sample form found here that will assist in the development of these forms for your STC claims.
The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) recommends that a witness signature should be incorporated into the forms. Despite not being mandatory, it assists in providing further assurance of the validity of the STC claim to the regulator.
The written statement can only be completed once the solar system has been installed and energised. A copy of the form must be provided to the owner of the solar system, and the registered agent who will create the STCs.
2. Invoice Evidence
Under these reforms, the regulator may request a copy of the invoice proving the solar system is meeting the requirements as per the contract.
3. Physical Site Attendance
Installers must have evidence proving their physical site attendance (in either a supervising or physical installation role). This requirement has been in place since 2013, and with the April 1st changes documentation in the form of a written statement will provide further evidence.
Three check points are required for each site:
- The job set-up
- Mid-installation check up
- Testing and commissioning
The evidence can be a geotagged photo at each stage. If the installation spans multiple days or weeks, the installer is advised to supply sufficient notes to the registered agent to be submitted with the STC claim.
4. STC Sign Offs per Day
An accredited installer can sign off on 2 complete installations in one day and be eligible for STCs.
5. Bulk Uploads and Information Requirements
The requirements for bulk upload of STCs, and the information required to claim STCs for Small Generation Units have also been updated. The new information can be found here.
6. Fraudulent Activity
The new regulations will allow the CER to declare an individual designer or installer ineligible to participate in the SRES, as opposed to a company. A declaration of ineligibility can last for up to 3 years.
