New Commercial Solar Rebate in Albany
What Is the New Commercial Solar Rebate?
Australia’s main commercial solar rebate runs through the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), the same scheme that has powered the household solar boom since 2011. Until now, it only applied to systems up to 100kW, locking most Albany and Great Southern businesses out of any upfront discount.
That’s changed. The federal government has confirmed a major expansion of the SRES, lifting the eligibility cap from 100kW to 1 megawatt (1,000kW), effective 1 October 2026.
What the Commercial Solar Rebate Actually Is:
- Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs): The rebate is delivered as STCs, which your installer converts into an upfront discount on your system cost — not a cheque or a grant you apply for separately.
- No Government Form to Lodge: Like the household rebate, the saving is built into your quote by an accredited installer, so there’s nothing extra for your business to submit.
- A Shrinking Window: STC values reduce annually under the scheme’s phase-out schedule, so businesses that install sooner generally capture a larger rebate than those who wait.
How Much Could Your Business Save?
The exact dollar value of your commercial solar rebate depends on your system size, your STC zone and the STC market price at the time of installation — but the government’s own modelling gives a clear sense of scale for the expanded scheme.
- Government Estimates: The rebate is expected to cover roughly 20% of the upfront installation cost for eligible systems, applied as a discount before you pay.
- Worked Examples: Published figures point to a discount of around $68,000 on a 250kW commercial system, and around $232,000 on an 850kW system — savings that simply weren’t available to businesses above the old 100kW cap.
- Smaller Systems Still Qualify: Businesses installing under 100kW today are already eligible under the existing rules, with typical rebates in the order of $25,000–$32,000 for a 100kW system.
Is Your Albany or Great Southern Business Eligible?
Eligibility for the commercial solar rebate depends on a few key factors, and because the 1MW expansion is brand new, getting accurate advice before you commit to a system size matters more than ever.
- System Size: Under the expanded scheme, systems up to 1MW (1,000kW) will be eligible from 1 October 2026, up from the current 100kW cap — covering everything from a small office rooftop to a large regional warehouse or farm array.
- Accredited Installation: Your system must be designed and installed by a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installer, using approved equipment, for the STCs to be created and applied.
- Location Across the Great Southern: We assess eligibility for businesses throughout Albany, Denmark, Mount Barker, Kendenup and surrounding areas, factoring in your local STC zone rating.
The Albany Solar & Hot Water Advantage
Rebate rules move quickly, and a new scheme this size will have detail that continues to firm up before it commences. Here’s why local businesses trust us to get the numbers right.
- True Local Expertise: We are fully licensed, Albany-based electrical contractors (EC9265) operating from our local showroom on Sanford Road, with a direct line into WA’s electrical safety standards and Western Power network requirements.
- Rebate-First Quoting: Every commercial solar quote we prepare is modelled against the current STC rules and rebate value at the time of installation, so the number you’re quoted is the number you actually pay.
- Turnkey Delivery: From initial eligibility assessment through to switchboard upgrades, three-phase installation and grid connection, our in-house team manages your commercial solar rebate project start to finish.
Get a Quote on the Commercial Solar Rebate Today
The commercial solar rebate cap is about to open up to businesses that couldn’t access it before. Since 2010, Albany Solar & Hot Water has helped businesses, farms and community organisations across the Great Southern get more from their solar with premium products and expert craftsmanship. Talk to our team to find out exactly what the expanded rebate is worth to your business.
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Commercial Solar Rebate: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the commercial solar rebate in Australia?
It’s the upfront discount created through the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). Businesses installing an eligible solar system receive Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which your installer converts into a discount on your quoted price.
What's changing with the commercial solar rebate in 2026?
The federal government has confirmed the SRES eligibility cap will rise from 100kW to 1MW (1,000kW) from 1 October 2026, meaning much larger commercial solar systems can now access the rebate for the first time.
How much is the commercial solar rebate worth?
It depends on your system size, STC zone and the certificate price at installation. Government estimates suggest savings of around 20% of the upfront cost under the expanded scheme, with cited examples of roughly $68,000 off a 250kW system and around $232,000 off an 850kW system.
Do I need to apply for the commercial solar rebate?
No separate application is needed. Your accredited installer creates the STCs on your behalf and applies the value as an upfront discount on your quote, so there’s no government form for your business to lodge.
Is my Albany or Great Southern business eligible?
Most commercial premises with suitable roof or ground space qualify, provided the system is installed by a CEC-accredited installer and falls within the scheme’s size cap. Our team can confirm your exact eligibility and rebate value as part of a free quote.
Should I wait for the 1MW expansion before installing solar?
Not necessarily. Businesses installing under 100kW today are already eligible under existing rules, and STC values reduce over time under the scheme’s phase-out schedule. We can help you weigh up timing based on your specific system size and site.