SOLAR REBATES
Solar panel rebates for NSW homes and businesses in 2026
The federal solar rebate takes an upfront discount off the price of an eligible solar system. Here's how it's worked out, why it gets smaller each year, and what's new for businesses from 1 October 2026.
SMALL-SCALE RENEWABLE ENERGY SCHEME
How the federal solar rebate works
The solar rebate comes from small-scale technology certificates (STCs). An eligible system creates a set number of certificates when it's installed, and we take their value off your price upfront. Three things decide how many certificates your system gets.
The size of your system
The more kilowatts of panels you install, the more certificates the system creates. Small-scale systems up to 100 kW are covered.
Where you live
Australia is split into four sunshine zones. Sydney and the Blue Mountains are in zone 3, which sets how much a system is expected to generate.
Years left in the scheme
Systems installed in 2026 get five years of certificates. That drops to four years in 2027, and keeps falling by one year until the scheme ends in 2030.
A WORKED EXAMPLE
What a typical home system gets
Take a 6.6 kW system on a home in Sydney or the Blue Mountains. The certificates are worked out as system size, multiplied by the zone 3 rating of 1.382, multiplied by the years left in the scheme.
45
certificates if installed in 2026 (6.6 × 1.382 × 5 years)
36
certificates for the same system installed in 2027 (6.6 × 1.382 × 4 years)
Each certificate is worth whatever it sells for on the market at the time, so the dollar value moves a little. Your quote shows the exact discount, already taken off.
NEW FOR BUSINESSES
Larger solar systems now qualify
For systems installed from 1 October 2026, the scheme also covers solar from 100 kW up to 1 MW. These mid-scale systems get a fixed five years of certificates, which opens the rebate up to bigger roofs like warehouses, factories and farms.
Applications for these larger systems are expected to open from mid to late November 2026, so we'll confirm what applies to your site and show any rebate on your quote.
1 MW
the new upper limit for the federal solar rebate, up from 100 kW
MAKE THE MOST OF IT
Add a battery, then spread the cost
Battery rebates
A battery added now also attracts the federal Cheaper Home Batteries discount, and NSW households can get extra for joining a virtual power plant.
NSW interest free loan
Eligible NSW households can borrow $2,000 to $15,000 at 0% interest for solar, batteries and more, with up to 10 years to repay.
SOLAR REBATE QUESTIONS
Common questions
Do I need to apply for the solar rebate myself?
No. We create the certificates for your system and take their value off your price, so there's nothing for you to lodge.
Is the solar rebate means tested?
No. It isn't based on your income. Any eligible system on a home or business can get it.
What makes a solar system eligible?
The panels and inverter must be on the Clean Energy Council approved list, the system must be designed and installed by an accredited installer, and the certificates must be created within 12 months of installation. We take care of all of this.
When does the solar rebate end?
The scheme runs until the end of 2030. Each January the number of years of certificates drops by one, so a system installed in 2026 gets five years and one installed in 2030 gets one.
How much is the rebate worth in dollars?
It depends on your system size and the market price of certificates when your system is installed. Your quote shows the exact amount, already taken off.
Can I use the NSW interest free loan for solar?
Yes. Solar, and solar with a battery, are both eligible for the NSW Home Energy Saver loan. Your rebate is applied first and the loan can cover the rest.
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