The certificate market has its own language, and much of it is acronyms. This glossary explains the terms installers meet most often. It reflects usage at the time of writing, and rules can change, so confirm anything that affects a claim with the Clean Energy Regulator or the desk.
A
Aggregator
A business that collects certificates from many installers and sells them on in volume. Some also provide software or admin services. Compare what you receive after all costs. Our pricing has no fees.
Assignment
Transferring the right to create certificates from the system owner to another party, usually the installer or a trader. Recorded on the STC assignment form.
Audit
A check by a regulator or a trader that a certificate is valid. See how STC audits work.
C
CCEW
Certificate of Compliance - Electrical Work. The electrical compliance certificate issued in some states after electrical work. The name and form differ by state.
CEC accreditation
Accreditation with the Clean Energy Council, historically required for installers, designers and approved products. The accreditation body for installers has changed, see SAA below.
CER
The Clean Energy Regulator, the federal body that administers the small-scale scheme, the registry rules and audits.
Cheaper Home Batteries Program
A federal program that, at the time of writing, supports eligible home battery installations by creating STCs based on battery capacity. See the battery STC page and the battery submission guide.
Clawback
When a payment is recovered because a certificate was later found invalid. See the audits guide.
Clearing house
A market facility where certificates can be sold at a fixed price. Availability and conditions depend on the certificate type and current rules.
CES
Certificate of Electrical Safety. An electrical safety certificate issued after electrical work in some jurisdictions, including Victoria. Other jurisdictions use CCEW, COES or a similar form.
COES
Another state or territory form of electrical safety or compliance certificate. Names vary by jurisdiction, so check which applies where you work.
D
Deeming period
The number of years of expected generation credited up front when STCs are created for solar PV. See deeming period and zone ratings.
DNSP
Distribution Network Service Provider. The company that owns the poles and wires at the site, and approves connections.
E
ESC
Essential Services Commission, the Victorian regulator that administers the VEU program.
I
Installation type
Whether a system is new, replacement or additional. See installation types.
L
LGC
Large-scale Generation Certificate. Created by large power stations under the Renewable Energy Target. Different from STCs.
Liable entity
A business, typically an electricity retailer, legally required to buy and surrender certificates to meet a target. Liable entities create the demand for certificates.
N
Nominal capacity
The headline battery capacity from the manufacturer. Not the figure used for certificates. See usable capacity.
NMI
National Metering Identifier. The unique number identifying a connection point on the network.
R
Rate lock
The point at which the price for a claim is fixed. With us, your rate is locked when a complete claim is lodged.
RCTI
Recipient-created tax invoice. See RCTIs, GST and ABNs.
REC Registry
The registry where certificates are created, held and transferred.
S
SAA (Solar Accreditation Australia)
The body that now manages accreditation for solar installers and designers.
Settlement
The payment for a cleared claim. Ours is within 24 hours for established partners.
SLD
Single line diagram. A simplified drawing of the electrical layout of a system, often required for larger systems or network applications.
Solar Victoria
The Victorian Government agency that runs solar and battery rebate programs in the state.
STC
Small-scale Technology Certificate. One STC represents one megawatt-hour of expected renewable generation or equivalent. See the STC trading page.
STP
Small-scale Technology Percentage. The percentage set each year that liable entities must meet through surrendering STCs.
Surrender
Handing certificates back to the regulator to meet a liability.
T
Trader
A business that buys certificates from installers and sells to liable entities. We are one. See how it works.
U
Usable capacity
The energy a battery can actually deliver after reserve limits. Used for battery certificate calculations.
V
VEEC
Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificate. Created under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program. See VEEC trading.
VEU
Victorian Energy Upgrades, the Victorian program that creates VEECs.
VPP
Virtual power plant. A network of home batteries or systems controlled together to provide grid services.
Z
Zone rating
The expected generation per kW per year for one of four climate zones. Zones are set by postcode. See the deeming period guide.
If a term you need is missing, ask the desk. When you are ready to sell, start trading.