How much is the commercial solar rebate worth?

The government estimates around 20 per cent off the upfront installation cost. Its published examples are about $68,000 off a 250 kW system and about $136,000 off a 500 kW system. A 250 kW system on a medium-sized enterprise could generate around 345 MWh a year, saving roughly $50,000 in electricity costs.

The Commercial Solar Rebate Just Got Ten Times Bigger

What Actually Changed

The Rebate Businesses Were Locked Out Of

Households have had the federal solar rebate for years. Larger energy users were excluded, because the scheme only ever supported systems up to 100kW. That cap is being lifted to 1MW.

100kW → 1MW

Ten times the system size

Solar systems between 100kW and 1MW will create small-scale technology certificates (STCs) upfront at installation, instead of going down the large-scale certificate route. Same proven scheme, bigger ceiling.

~20% off

Straight off the install cost

The government estimates the expansion lowers upfront installation costs for commercial, industrial and agricultural buildings by around 20 per cent — applied as a discount, not a rebate you chase afterwards.

1 Oct 2026

Expected start date

The expanded scheme is expected to commence from 1 October 2026, subject to the necessary regulations being in place. Systems under 100kW are unaffected and continue exactly as they are now.

What It Is Worth

The Government's Own Figures

These are the worked examples published with the announcement — not our projections. Your actual numbers depend on your roof, your tariff and how much power you use during the day.

System size	Estimated discount	Annual generation	Estimated annual saving	Typical fit
250kW	about $68,000	around 345 MWh	around $50,000	A medium-sized enterprise, such as a retailer
500kW	about $136,000	—	—	A small manufacturing site
850kW	—	around 1,173 MWh	around $175,000	An industrial energy user

Figures as published by the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, 5 August 2026. The scheme is administered by the Clean Energy Regulator and is separate from any state-run rebate.

Who Qualifies

Built for the Missing Middle

Australian homes have installed around 22 gigawatts of solar. Businesses have managed roughly 5.6 gigawatts, most of it under 100kW — because that was the ceiling. These are the operations the change is aimed at.

Manufacturers

Farms & agriculture

Retailers

Logistics & transport

Schools

Hospitals

Community organisations

Warehouses & industrial sheds

Timing

If You're Planning a System Over 100kW, Timing Matters

The expansion is expected to start on 1 October 2026. Systems in the 100kW to 1MW band installed before the scheme commences would not attract the new certificates — so for a project of that size, when you install can be worth as much as who installs it.

Our honest advice

If your system is under 100kW, nothing has changed — the existing rebate already applies and there is no reason to wait.

If it is between 100kW and 1MW, talk to us before you commit to a date. Design and network approval take time anyway, so the sensible move is to get the assessment and paperwork moving now and time the installation to the scheme.

We would rather tell you to wait a few weeks than sell you a system that misses a discount worth tens of thousands.

Commercial rooftop solar installation by Focus Solar & Electrical

How We Quote It

We Do the Numbers Before We Quote

Commercial solar is sized against your actual consumption, not a rule of thumb. We look at how much power you use and when you use it, then design a system that matches — because a system that generates at the wrong time of day is an expensive way to export cheaply.

Assessment against your real load profile

WiFi monitoring on every panel

SAA accredited, licensed Queensland electricians

We install the full range the rebate covers

Focus Solar designs and installs commercial systems from 10kW right up to 1MW — the entire band the expanded scheme reaches. You will not be handed to someone else halfway up the scale, and you are not being sized down to what the installer is comfortable with.

Every system is designed against your actual consumption data, installed by SAA accredited, licensed Queensland electricians, and monitored panel by panel.

Common Questions

Commercial Rebate FAQs

What exactly is changing?

The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme is being expanded from 100kW to 1MW. Solar systems in that band will create small-scale technology certificates upfront at installation rather than large-scale generation certificates, which is what delivers the roughly 20% reduction in upfront cost.

When does it start?

The expanded scheme is expected to commence from 1 October 2026, subject to the necessary regulations being in place. It was announced on 5 August 2026.

Does it apply to batteries as well?

No. This expansion covers solar PV. Home batteries are supported separately through the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which has been running since 2025.

What happens to systems under 100kW?

Nothing changes. Existing arrangements for systems smaller than 100kW continue exactly as they are, and those systems already attract the rebate today.

Do I have to claim the discount myself?

No. As with residential solar, the certificates are assigned to your installer and the value comes off your price. The scheme is administered by the Clean Energy Regulator and is separate from any state-based rebate.

Will connecting a system that size be difficult?

Network connection has been the slow part of mid-scale commercial solar. The government has said it will improve connection processes for mid-scale projects through targeted rule change requests. We handle the application and will tell you honestly what the timeline looks like for your site.

Source: Minister for Climate Change and Energy, "Putting more roofs to work", 5 August 2026.