Small-scale Technology Certificates are issued for small scale solar photovoltaic systems and other renewable energy systems, including hot water heat pumps. The number of certificates issued depends on the size, location and deeming period of the certificates. The certificates are a trading commodity and are traded on a market; hence fluctuate in value on a daily basis.
As an STCs trader, NQ Solar is able to discount your solar energy upfront for the value of your STCs. This means you save money straight away on the cost of installing solar!
Please note, the STCs price quoted on the NQ Solar website is applicable to systems purchased from NQ Solar. For those interested in selling their STCs to NQ Solar, please contact us for a current price.
To find out more about the Small-scale Technology Certificates, click here.
The Solar Credits Scheme is currently available to residential, rental and commercial properties. The Solar Credits Scheme is the current legislated scheme that gives clients a discount when purchasing a Photovoltaic Grid-Connect Solar System. The discount is based on Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STC’s). STC’s are created when any renewable energy system is installed i.e solar power, heat pump or solar hot water systems. The number of STC’s created depends on the size of the system and the location. The below is an example of how savings are calculated.
2 x 1.382 x 15 x 1 = 41.46 STC’s.
The Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has announced that from July 1st 2011 the Solar Credits Scheme multiplier will reduce from 5 to 3 and will decrease by 1 each year thereafter until the year 2013. Currently the multiplier is 2 and will decrease to 1 as of July 1st 2013.
To find out more about photovoltaic grid connect solar systems click here.
The Solar Bonus Scheme provides a feed-in tariff for electricity generated by solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that is exported into the grid. This means your power bill will be credited with 8c for every kilowatt hour (kWh) that your grid connect system feeds back into the grid above your electricity demand at any time while your PV system is generating power. Any electricity generated by the grid connect system and used in the household will be free of charge.
Changes to the Solar Bonus Scheme: Ergon will no longer buy excess power from systems 5kW or larger, installed after June 7th 2011.
Ergon will pay an 8c feed-in tariff for systems with a 5kWAC or lower inverter.
The Solar Bonus Scheme encourages households to ensure minimal power is used during the day and encourages consumers to be energy conscious. By ensuring minimal power is used during the day, maximum benefit can be obtained from the solar system. Families who are out during the day will ensure all lights and fans are off, all appliances are off at the power point, appliances like dishwashers and washing machines to be used early morning or evening to obtain the maximum power to be exported to the grid during the day.
An example of the daily power usage of a household of five compared to the power generated by a PV system is illustrated in the graph below. The bars in red indicate what power is being used by a household and the bars in green indicate the power being generated by the PV system. Whenever the green bars exceed the red bars, excess power is being exported into the electricity grid.