Business Solar and Battery Rebates in NSW: the Honest Guide

Checked and updated by our licensed electricians: October 2026

Short answer: there is no single “$50,000 business solar rebate”. Northern Rivers businesses can get real discounts on solar and batteries, from federal STCs, the federal battery discount and a new NSW business battery discount, but what you get depends on your system size, your site and the rules for each program. Here is what each one really gives, and how we build them into your quote.

Find out what your business qualifies for →

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What are the “$50,000” business solar ads?

Since August 2026, many Facebook and Instagram ads have told NSW business owners they may be eligible for “up to $50,000” in solar rebates. Here is what sits behind them:

• It is not one program. The figure is usually several certificate-based discounts added together, at the top end, for a large system: solar STCs plus the federal battery discount, and sometimes the NSW business battery discount.
• Only big systems get near it. The STC discount grows with system size, so a large roof earns far more than a typical shop, café or workshop system.
• Some ads are not from installers. Several come from lead-selling websites that pass your details on to installers. Some name programs that do not exist, or call a tax deduction a “tax credit”.

The honest way to know your number is a design for your site, with each discount shown on the quote. That is what we do.

1. Solar STCs: up to 1 MW since 1 October 2026

The federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme gives solar systems small-scale technology certificates (STCs). We take them off your quote at point of sale and do the paperwork. The number of certificates depends on the system size, your location and how many years are left in the scheme.

• Up to 100 kW: as before. The discount drops every January until the scheme ends in 2030.
• 100 kW to 1 MW (new): systems installed from 1 October 2026 can now earn STCs, with a fixed five-year deeming period. The Clean Energy Regulator says STC applications for these systems open in mid to late November 2026, so we confirm the position for your system when we design it. At this size you choose between STCs and REGO certificates, not both.
• Over 1 MW: power-station scale under the large-scale scheme (LGCs). That is beyond the commercial systems we install, which go up to 1 MW.

More: how the solar rebate (STCs) works.

2. The federal battery discount applies to businesses too

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is not only for homes. The Australian Government says households, businesses and community organisations can get a discount of around 30% on eligible batteries from 5 to 100 kWh.

• The discount is calculated on the first 50 kWh of usable capacity only, and tapers: the first 14 kWh at the full rate, the next 14 kWh at 60%, and up to 50 kWh at 15%. So on a large business battery it is a smaller share of the cost.
• One battery system per premises. The battery and inverter must be on the approved product list, installed by an SAA-accredited installer. On-grid batteries must be able to join a virtual power plant.
• It steps down on 1 January 2027 and again on 1 July 2027, set by the install date. See the battery rebate step-down and who qualifies and how to claim.
• The government’s eligibility page still describes the solar as under 100 kW, so for larger solar systems we confirm eligibility before we quote.

3. The NSW business battery discount (from 1 September 2026)

NSW has a separate discount for business batteries through the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme. The NSW Government describes it as about 30 to 40 per cent off a battery installed with new or additional solar, and about 20 to 30 per cent for a battery on its own. Eligibility criteria apply.

• For NSW businesses installing batteries from 20 kWh to 30 MWh. Residential buildings and data centres are not eligible, and it can be used once per business.
• It can be combined with the federal battery discount.
• Off-grid sites are not eligible, because the aim is to reduce peak demand on the grid.
• Batteries from 20 to 200 kWh need a minimum customer payment.
• The installer must be partnered with an Accredited Certificate Provider, and a nomination form is signed before the install. We are working on that partnership now. Ask us where it is at when we assess your site; it only goes on your quote once we can offer it.

More on business batteries: commercial battery storage for Northern Rivers businesses.

4. Tax and finance

• Tax: talk to your accountant. Instant asset write-off rules have a limit per asset, and most business solar and battery systems cost more than that, so do not assume it can all be claimed in one year. We give you a clear tax invoice and the paperwork your accountant needs.
• Finance: we work with a specialist commercial finance broker, Solaris Finance. The NSW Home Energy Saver 0% loan is for households only, so it does not cover business systems. Some banks also offer discounted green equipment finance: ask yours.

How we build the rebates into your quote

1. We look at your bills and, where available, your half-hourly interval data.
2. We design the system for how your business actually uses power, then check which discounts it qualifies for.
3. Each discount is shown as a line on your quote, so you can see what comes from where.
4. A site visit by our own electricians before the install, then we handle the paperwork and the connection application with Essential Energy.

We design and install commercial solar up to 1 MW across the Northern Rivers, including Casino: see commercial solar for Northern Rivers businesses and commercial solar for Casino and Richmond Valley. Batteries: Sigenergy (premium) and GoodWe (mid-tier); panels: AIKO and Jinko.

Why Northern Rivers businesses choose us

• Electricians first. 25 years in solar and large commercial electrical work, so three-phase boards and busy sites are routine.
• Our own in-house team designs every system and does every install. No subcontractors.
• A face-to-face site visit before every install: battery position, switchboard and protection checked, no surprises on the day.
• SAA-accredited installer, Sigenergy-approved, NETCC accredited, with a 25-year workmanship warranty on our installation work (commercial jobs included).

Questions we get asked

Is there really a $50,000 solar rebate for businesses?

Not as a single rebate. No federal or NSW program by that name or amount exists. Ads that say “up to $50,000” usually add together solar STCs on a large system, the federal battery discount and sometimes the NSW business battery discount. A figure like that is only possible on a big system; a typical shop or workshop gets much less. We work out what your system really qualifies for.

Can businesses get the Cheaper Home Batteries rebate?

Yes. The Australian Government says households, businesses and community organisations can get the discount, for batteries from 5 to 100 kWh. The discount is only calculated on the first 50 kWh of usable capacity, and tapers as the battery gets bigger.

What is the NSW business battery discount?

A NSW Government discount on business batteries from 20 kWh to 30 MWh, under the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme, available since 1 September 2026. It can be combined with the federal discount. Off-grid sites are not eligible, and the installer must be partnered with an Accredited Certificate Provider. Eligibility criteria apply.

What changed for commercial solar on 1 October 2026?

Solar systems from 100 kW up to 1 MW installed from 1 October 2026 can now earn STCs, with a fixed five-year deeming period. The Clean Energy Regulator says STC applications for these systems open in mid to late November 2026.

What is the difference between STCs and LGCs?

STCs are created up front for small and mid-scale systems (now up to 1 MW) and taken off your quote. LGCs belong to the large-scale scheme for power-station scale systems and are earned over time as the system generates. From 100 kW to 1 MW you choose between STCs and the newer REGO certificates.

Can my business use the NSW 0% solar loan?

No. The NSW Home Energy Saver loan is for households. For business systems we work with a specialist commercial finance broker, Solaris Finance.

Can I write the system off on tax?

Talk to your accountant. Instant asset write-off rules have a limit per asset, and a business solar or battery system usually costs more than that, so do not assume it can all be claimed in one year. We give you a clear tax invoice and the paperwork your accountant needs.

When do the rebates drop?

The federal battery discount steps down on 1 January 2027 and again on 1 July 2027, set by the install date. STCs for solar up to 100 kW drop every January until the scheme ends in 2030.

Sources

Last checked 10 October 2026. Only the government’s own pages are used for the program rules.

• Clean Energy Regulator: Mid-scale solar (updated 7 October 2026)
• Australian Government (DCCEEW): Cheaper Home Batteries Program
• DCCEEW: Cheaper Home Batteries eligibility information
• NSW Government: Batteries for businesses incentive (updated 29 September 2026)
• NSW Government: New battery discounts for businesses (18 August 2026)

More from Sun Connect Solar

• Commercial battery storage
• Commercial solar: how it works and whether it is worth it
• Solar for farms and rural businesses
• Your rebates

Or call 0483 903 020.