• DCCEEW and CER release further eligibility and compliance requirements for battery STCs

Battery STC Eligibility Requirements.

The Department and CER have released further eligibility requirements for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program set to launch on July 1st. To be eligible for the program, projects must meet the following criteria:

• Accredited Equipment: All batteries and inverters must be Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited at the time of installation.
• System Configuration: The battery system must be configured as a single Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) unit, whether it comprises a single battery unit or a system of modular batteries.
• Capacity & Previous Discounts:
  • The system’s nominal capacity must be between 5 kWh and 100 kWh.
  • The system must not have previously received a discount under this program.
  • (Note: BSTCs will only be eligible for the first 50 kWh of capacity, even if the system is larger).
• Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Readiness: The system must have VPP connectability.
• Existing Solar PV: The premises must have an existing rooftop solar PV system to qualify.
• Eligible Certificate Owners: The owners of the battery at the premises (including those within embedded networks) will be the eligible owners of the STCs generated. Further guidance from the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) will align with existing advice.

Battery STC Compliance Requirements.

In addition to the above, further compliance requirements have also been detailed. Installers must adhere to the following commissioning and installation standards:

• Commissioning Limits (July): For July, installers are permitted to commission a maximum of two (2) battery systems AND two (2) solar systems per day.
• Commissioning Limits (August Onwards): From August onwards, daily commissioning limits revert to:
  • Two (2) standalone solar systems OR
  • Two (2) standalone battery systems OR
  • One (1) solar system paired with one (1) battery system.
• Installation Date: The installation date is defined as the Date of Testing/Certification on the Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES). This date must not be prior to July 1st.
• Submission Window: Projects must be submitted within a 12-month window from the completion of the installation date.
• Accredited Installer: Installation must be performed by a battery installer accredited under Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).
• Regulatory Compliance: All installations must comply with relevant state or territory government requirements concerning electrical wiring and safety, work health and safety, and the siting of the unit.
• More detailed information regarding required documentation can be found here.

At Ecovantage, we consistently analyse market activity, policy changes, consultation releases, and creation rates in conjunction with wider landscape activity. This allows us to keep our clients at the forefront of all relevant changes, and to leverage the advantage that this presents. Thank you for your continued support, and please reach out if you have any general or project-specific questions.

Nancy Sanjoto | Account Manager, Energy & Carbon Services
Nancy specialises in HEER & IHEAB activities under the NSW ESS program, as well as LGCs under the federal Renewable Energy Target.