Not Yet on Solar, Queenslanders? Your Potential STCs Savings Decrease on Jan 1
If you've been thinking about solar but haven't made the move yet, the end of the year is an important milestone. Australia's Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme reduces annually — and every year you wait, the upfront rebate value decreases.
What Are STCs?
STCs — Small-scale Technology Certificates — are the federal government's main mechanism for subsidising residential solar installations. When you install a solar system, you're entitled to a number of STCs based on your system size, your location, and the number of years remaining in the STC scheme (which runs until 2030).
These certificates are typically assigned to your solar installer, who applies them as an upfront discount on the cost of your system. This is the "solar rebate" most homeowners hear about — and it's built directly into the pricing you receive from a reputable installer like Snap Solar.
Why Does the Rebate Drop on January 1?
The STC scheme is designed to phase out gradually as solar becomes more established. Each year on January 1, the number of certificates available per system decreases by one "deeming year." As deeming years reduce, so does the number of STCs your system generates — and therefore the value of your upfront discount.
In practical terms, a Queensland homeowner installing a 6.6 kW system in December will receive more STCs — and a larger upfront discount — than the same homeowner installing in January.
How Much Could You Lose by Waiting?
The exact dollar impact depends on your system size and the current STC spot price. However, for a typical 6.6 kW system in Queensland, the difference between installing before and after January 1 can be several hundred dollars. For larger systems of 10 kW or above, the difference can be more significant.
This isn't a marketing tactic — it's a structural feature of the federal rebate scheme. Your Snap Solar advisor can calculate the exact STC value for your proposed system size and location.
What Else Changes Over Time?
Beyond the annual STC reduction, electricity prices in Queensland continue to rise. Every month you delay going solar is another month of paying full grid rates for power that your panels could otherwise be generating for free. Combined with the STC reduction, the cost of waiting compounds over time.
What Should Queensland Homeowners Do Now?
If you're seriously considering solar for your Mackay or Sunshine Coast home, the best step is to request a tailored quote before the new year. This gives you a clear picture of your system costs, STC discount, feed-in tariff potential, and payback period — all specific to your property and energy use.
Snap Solar can typically arrange quotes and installation timelines quickly. Contact our team to make sure you're assessed before the January 1 deadline if this year's STC rate is important to your decision.