Commercial solar rebates and incentives in 2026, by state

Commercial solar incentives come in layers. The federal layer is the same everywhere. The state layer changes with your postcode, and it changes often, so this guide says what we could confirm on official pages on 31 October 2026 and points you to the page to check before you sign anything.

What federal incentives can a business claim?

Solar up to 100 kW

Small-scale systems create certificates under the same rules households use. The Clean Energy Regulator’s rooftop solar rules say a system must be under 100 kW, produce less than 250 MWh a year, use approved products and be installed by an accredited installer. The number of certificates is system size in kW × your postcode’s zone rating × the deeming years, which is 5 for a 2026 installation. Our guide to how STCs work has the zone ratings.

Example (an illustration, not a quote): a 50 kW system in a zone 3 postcode (rating 1.382) installed in 2026 earns about 50 × 1.382 × 5 = 345 certificates. At the $33–$38 the regulator says agents usually pay, that is roughly $11,400 to $13,100 off the price. Use the STC calculator for your own numbers.

Mid-scale solar, 100 kW to 1 MW

The scheme now reaches larger systems. Under the Clean Energy Regulator’s mid-scale guidance, eligible systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW installed on or after 1 October 2026 can apply for STCs with a fixed five-year deeming period. Eligibility depends on the installation date, not when you signed or started building. You will need evidence of planning and network connection approvals, and the CER’s rooftop solar page said applications would not open until mid to late November 2026. Read mid-scale solar STCs explained for the detail.

The federal battery discount

The Cheaper Home Batteries program is described by the regulator as support for “households and businesses”. It covers batteries of 5–100 kWh installed with new or existing solar of no more than 1 MW, by an accredited installer with a battery endorsement, and only one battery per NMI (national metering identifier) or commercial sub-meter. STCs are paid on the first 50 kWh of usable capacity only, so a very large battery gets little extra from it. We could not find separate business rules on the pages we read, so check with the CER if your site is unusual. Business batteries covers when a battery is worth it.

Discounted green loans

The CEFC does not lend to businesses directly; it backs lenders who pass on cheaper finance. One example is an ANZ program for small and medium business customers, announced on 31 July 2026, where the CEFC and ANZ together fund a total discount of 0.8 per cent a year on assets including rooftop solar and batteries. Other lenders may have their own versions, so ask yours. Our commercial solar finance guide compares the options.

What does each state and territory offer?

This is what we could confirm on official pages. “None found” means we looked and did not find a current program, not that none exists, so check the linked page.

New South Wales

The NSW business battery discount takes about 30 to 40 per cent off a battery installed with new or additional solar, and about 20 to 30 per cent off a battery installed alone. The figures are indicative only. See the NSW business battery discount explained.

Victoria

Victoria’s commercial and industrial solar discount is open to Victorian businesses and non-residential sites, including community buildings, schools and hospitals. It covers systems of 30 to 200 kW and runs through the Victorian Energy Upgrades activity. Details are in our guide to Victoria’s commercial solar incentive.

Queensland

We found no current business solar or battery rebate. Primary producers can use the QRIDA Sustainability Loan, which lends up to $1.3 million, lists solar among eligible uses and requires security, usually a mortgage. It does not mention batteries.

South Australia

The Powering Business Grants guidelines set rates of $250 per kW for solar (only when bought with battery storage) and $300 per kWh for a battery, capped at 50% of eligible spend and $75,000 per business. That page describes the round that closed on 31 October 2025, and we found no newer one.

Western Australia

WA’s Made in WA Energy Affordability Investment Program offers low-interest loans of up to $15 million that can fund commercial solar and industrial batteries. It is a loan, not a grant, and the interest rate was not stated. The WA Residential Battery Scheme is for households and does not cover commercial premises.

Tasmania, ACT and the Northern Territory

Tasmania’s Energy Saver Loan Scheme is closed, and we found no current state business solar program. In the ACT, the Sustainable Business Program offers rebates of up to $10,000 for energy and water efficiency upgrades with a co-contribution from the business. The page we read did not say whether solar or batteries qualify, so ask before assuming. For the Northern Territory, start at the NT Government business grants page.

Can you stack incentives?

Only where the program says so. What we could verify:

• Victoria: the Essential Services Commission’s activity guide says accredited persons can claim VEECs alongside STCs and LGCs, but the same system cannot claim VEECs under both this activity and a project-based one.
• NSW: the NSW page says you can combine the battery discount with federal solar discounts and with the federal battery discount, if you meet the rules of both.
• Mid-scale solar: choosing STCs means no REGOs for the deeming period.

What about tax?

Incentives lower the price; tax rules change what the rest costs you. From 1 July 2026 the ATO says small businesses with an aggregated turnover under $10 million can instantly write off eligible assets costing less than $20,000. Larger systems usually go through depreciation instead. This is general information only, and the detail is in solar and tax for business, which you should take to your accountant.

Before you rely on any of this

• Check the program page on the day you sign. Several programs here changed within the past year.
• Ask whether the incentive is already in the quote price or paid later.
• Confirm the installation date, because federal rules depend on it, not the contract date.
• Match your site to an industry page on the commercial solar hub for typical system sizes.

To see what a system might cost and how it might pay back, try the commercial solar calculator or read is commercial solar worth it?.

This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rules, rebates and prices change, so check the linked sources before you decide. Facts checked 31 October 2026.