The Federal Government’s STC Incentive (commonly known as the STC Rebate) is set to decrease on the 1st of January 2023. Australians looking to get the biggest discount on a new solar system are fast running out of time to get quotes and line up their installation.
How much the STC discount is set to decrease depends on which of the STC zones you live in.
Let’s go over why the discount you could receive back from the Federal Government is about to be reduced, how much they’re about to go down by and whether it’s too late to get the current rebate before it drops.
Let’s go…
Key Points
- The STC discount you receive when your install will reduce from the 1st of January 2023
- Australians will soon pay hundreds more for solar
- Installers are reporting massive demand as Australians rush to get solar in time for Christmas and New Years
What Is the STC Rebate and Why Is It Reducing?
STCs (short for Small-scale Technology Certificates) is the Australian Federal Government’s incentive that shoulders some of the upfront cost of installing solar so more Aussies can get systems on their roofs.
Head over to our main solar rebates and incentives page if you’re after a full explanation on how it works. But, all you really need to know is that if you buy solar, a certain number of “STC certificates” are awarded to you from the Australian Government. Your solar installer will then trade those in for $$$, and give you an upfront discount on your system in exchange.
Easy enough.
4 things affect the size of your discount:
- The size of your solar system
- The STC zone you live in
- The value of the STC at the time of your install
- The year that you install
You could be paying hundreds of dollars more for the same solar system if you wait till New Years.
On the 1st of January every year the number of STCs rewarded decreases until the scheme is eventually phased out entirely in 2031, so you’ve got until New Years to organise your solar system if you want to get the most cash back possible.
Spots limited: Installers are booking up as Aussie homeowners rush to have their system done in time for summer. Some installers are reporting an increase in enquiries as high as 750% since the energy crisis began.
Here’s How Much Rebates Are Reducing for Different Sized Systems in Each Capital City…
To know exactly how much your discount will reduce by you’ll need to know which of the STC zones you live under and the size of the solar system you’re wanting installed.
We’ve worked out how much the STC discount is going to decrease for a 6.6kW and 10kW in each capital city in the tables below, check it out.
Mobile and tablet users scroll to view full table →
2023 STC Discount on 6.6kW Solar System
| Brisbane (zone 3) | Sydney (zone 3) | Adelaide (zone 3) | Perth (zone 3) | Melbourne (zone 4) | Hobart (zone 4) | Canberra (zone 3) | Darwin (zone 1) | |
| STCs Received 2022 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 82 | 70 | 70 | 82 | 96 |
| Estimated Discount 2022* | $3,116 | $3,116 | $3,116 | $3,116 | $2,660 | $2,660 | $3,116 | $3,648 |
| STCs Received 2023 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 62 | 62 | 72 | 85 |
| Estimated Discount 2023* | $2,736 | $2,736 | $2,736 | $2,736 | $2,356 | $2,356 | $2,736 | $3,230 |
| Reduction in Discount* | –$380 | –$380 | –$380 | –$380 | –$304 | –$304 | –$380 | –$418 |
Assumes STC price of $38*
Mobile and tablet users scroll to view full table →
2023 STC Discount on 10kW Solar System
| Brisbane (zone 3) | Sydney (zone 3) | Adelaide (zone 3) | Perth (zone 3) | Melbourne (zone 4) | Hobart (zone 4) | Canberra (zone 3) | Darwin (zone 1) | |
| STCs Received 2022 | 124 | 124 | 124 | 124 | 106 | 106 | 124 | 144 |
| Estimated Discount 2022* | $4,712 | $4,712 | $4,712 | $4,712 | $4,028 | $4,028 | $4,712 | $5,510 |
| STCs Received 2023 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 110 | 94 | 94 | 110 | 129 |
| Estimated Discount 2023* | $4,180 | $4,180 | $4,180 | $4,180 | $3,572 | $3,572 | $4,180 | $4,902 |
| Reduction in Discount* | –$532 | –$532 | –$532 | –$532 | –$456 | –$456 | –$532 | –$608 |
Assumes STC price of $38*
As a general rule: the discount you can get declines every year.
If you want to work out the drop in discount for a system size not listed above, jump over to our main solar rebates and incentives page and learn how to do you own calculations.
If you’re unsure which of the STC zones you live in, the Clean Energy Regulator has a postcode list that you can reference.
Is It Too Late to Get Solar In Time For New Years?
If you want to get the 2022 Solar Rebate and pocket all those extra solar savings that comes with it, you need to have your solar system installed by December 31st.
If you haven’t gotten solar quotes already don’t wait. Installers are VERY busy this season with huge demand for solar in Australia being fuelled by the rolling energy crisis.
Lead times on getting your system are up as a results. Getting quotes now will ensure you have the best possible chance of squeaking in your system before the cut off.
Need More Time to Think but Still Want to Save on Energy?
If you’re still unsure about solar, but are desperate to do something about your soaring energy bills then it’s time to check out Energy Market.
Energy Market is the zero hassle way to compare dozens of energy plans online, all at once.
Just let them know what you’re wanting to compare, electricity, gas, or both! They’ll bring the deals to you.
You could be on a new energy plan you love in minutes.
Best of all it’s totally FREE. Try it out.
Don’t Miss Out
If you plan on getting solar do it sooner rather than later!
Not only could you miss out on getting a better rebate, but every moment you wait is time you’re paying for electricity you could be generating for yourself.
Click the link below and we’ll connect you with 3 certified local installers. Compare their quotes, lock in your install, lock in your rebate and start saving!
Spots with CEC solar installers are fast booking out.
