NSW · last checked 26 September 2026

Solar and battery rebates in New South Wales.

Two federal programs are available to eligible installations everywhere in Australia, including New South Wales. New South Wales also has 2 programs open to homeowners right now. Here's what each one provides, who qualifies, how it's worked out and how you receive it.

Rebates › New South Wales · Reviewed by Joern Haake

At a glance

Federal solar rebate (small-scale technology certificates)Open
Cheaper Home Batteries Program (federal)Open
NSW virtual power plant (VPP) incentive (Peak Demand Reduction Scheme)Open
Home Energy Saver (zero-interest loan)Open
NSW battery installation discount (Peak Demand Reduction Scheme)Suspended

Your Homerise estimate includes both federal rebates. State programs are shown with your estimate and confirmed with your installer.

Which federal rebates can you get in New South Wales?

You can get both federal rebates in New South Wales: they're national programs run by the Australian Government, not by New South Wales. They work the same way in every state, for eligible installations.

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (solar STCs) Open

What it is: An up-front discount on new solar systems up to 100 kW, through certificates your installer claims for you.
Run by: Clean Energy Regulator (Australian Government)
In your Homerise estimate: Included in your estimate.
Last checked: 26 September 2026

How it works

A new, eligible solar system earns small-scale technology certificates (STCs). The number depends on the system's size, your postcode's zone and the year it's installed.

The certificates have a market value. Almost everyone assigns them to their installer, who takes that value off the price up front, so it works as a discount rather than a rebate you apply for.

The scheme runs until 2030 and shrinks every 1 January, so the same system earns fewer certificates each year.

How it's calculated

Certificates = system size in kW × your postcode's zone rating × the years left in the scheme (the “deeming period”), rounded down. For systems installed in 2026 the deeming period is 5 years, and it shortens by one year every 1 January until the scheme ends in 2030. Each certificate is worth what the market pays; we assume about $37 reaches you after fees.

Example

A 6.6 kW system in Sydney (postcode 2000, zone 3, rating 1.382), installed in 2026: 6.6 × 1.382 × 5 = 45 certificates, worth about $1,665.

The same system installed in 2027 gets 36 certificates, about $1,332. Other postcodes in the state can be in a different zone, which changes the figure.

Who's eligible

Homes and businesses; owners of the system (you don't need to be a concession holder or under an income limit).
A new system under 100 kW. Systems over 100 kW and up to 1 MW installed from 1 October 2026 have a separate mid-scale path.
Panels and inverter on the Clean Energy Council's approved product lists.
Designed and installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited installer.
Certificates created within 12 months of installation. Second-hand equipment isn't eligible.

How you receive it, and what your installer does

You sign an STC assignment form with your installer (or their registered agent). The certificate value appears as a discount on your quote.
Your installer or agent creates the certificates in the Clean Energy Regulator's REC Registry and collects the paperwork: compliance statements from the designer, installer and retailer, the electrical safety certificate and serial-number photos.
You can create and sell the certificates yourself instead, but few people do.

Conditions, exclusions and other incentives

A complete replacement with new panels and a new inverter can earn certificates again. Swapping some panels on a system that has already claimed can't.
Adding panels, or a separate system, is eligible if the combined total stays under 100 kW; panels that already claimed don't count again.
The value per certificate moves with the market; the Clean Energy Regulator says agents typically pay $33 to $38.
It stacks with state programs, subject to each program's own rules.

Official sources: Clean Energy Regulator: Rooftop solar · Clean Energy Regulator: Small-scale renewable energy systems · Clean Energy Regulator: Calculate STC entitlements · Clean Energy Regulator: Postcode zone ratings · Clean Energy Regulator: Create STCs · Clean Energy Regulator: Mid-scale solar

Cheaper Home Batteries Program Open

What it is: An up-front discount on an eligible home battery (5–100 kWh), worked out from its usable capacity.
Run by: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, with the Clean Energy Regulator
In your Homerise estimate: Included in your estimate, unless a battery rebate may already have been claimed at your address (then it's shown as to be confirmed).
Last checked: 26 September 2026

How it works

Since 1 July 2025, an eligible home battery earns small-scale technology certificates, like solar does. The government buys those certificates, which funds a discount of around 30% on a typical battery.

The number of certificates depends on the battery's usable capacity and the date it's installed: the rate steps down every six months until 2030.

You don't apply. Your installer takes the value off your price, or you can claim the certificates yourself.

How it's calculated

Certificates = usable battery capacity (kWh) × 6.8 certificates per kWh for batteries installed now, with a lower share for larger batteries, rounded down:

0–14 kWh: 100% of the full rate
14–28 kWh: 60% of the full rate
28–50 kWh: 15% of the full rate
Above 50 kWh: no certificates for the extra capacity

The rate is set by the installation date. For batteries installed from 1 January 2027 it falls to 5.7 certificates per kWh, and it keeps stepping down every six months until 2030.

Example

A 10 kWh (usable) battery installed now: 68 certificates, about $2,516; installed from 1 January 2027, 57 certificates (about $2,109).

A 20 kWh (usable) battery installed now: 119 certificates, about $4,403; installed from 1 January 2027, 100 certificates (about $3,700).

Who's eligible

Homes and businesses, on-grid or off-grid. No income test.
A battery of 5 to 100 kWh nominal capacity; certificates are paid on the first 50 kWh of usable capacity.
Installed with solar: with your existing solar, or with new or replacement solar. A battery on its own, charging only from the grid, isn't eligible.
Battery and inverter on the Clean Energy Council's approved lists when installed. On-grid batteries must be able to join a virtual power plant, but you don't have to join one.
Installed, or supervised on site, by an SAA-accredited installer with a battery endorsement, and wired by a licensed electrician.
Installed on or after 1 July 2025 (the date of the electrical compliance certificate).

How you receive it, and what your installer does

Your installer shows the discount against the system price on your quote; they may deduct an admin fee.
Your installer, designer and retailer each give written statements to the Clean Energy Regulator, and the installer must be on site to set up and commission the battery.
Or you keep the certificates and sell them yourself through the REC Registry.

Conditions, exclusions and other incentives

One battery system per premises is supported, once: the first time a battery is installed, added to or replaced. A battery rebate already claimed at your address can rule out another.
Adding capacity is eligible only if the existing battery never received support, the addition is at least 5 kWh nominal and the total stays at or under 100 kWh nominal.
The installation date sets the rate, not the date you sign. A step-down before your installation lowers the discount.
It stacks with state programs, subject to each state's own rules. Portable batteries and electric vehicles are excluded.

Official sources: DCCEEW: Cheaper Home Batteries Program · DCCEEW: Cheaper Home Batteries eligibility · DCCEEW: STCs for batteries · Clean Energy Regulator: Solar batteries

What solar and battery programs does New South Wales offer?

The NSW Government or its agencies run the programs below. Check the conditions: most depend on your household or your electricity retailer.

NSW virtual power plant (VPP) incentive (Peak Demand Reduction Scheme) Open

What it is: An extra incentive if you connect your battery to a virtual power plant. The amount varies by provider and network, so it isn't included in your price.
Run by: NSW Government (Energy NSW); IPART administers the scheme; paid through participating VPP providers
In your Homerise estimate: Not in your price until your eligibility is confirmed.
Last checked: 1 October 2026

How it works

A one-off payment for signing your battery up to a virtual power plant, which can use part of your battery at times of peak demand.

It's funded by certificates created for six years of expected demand reduction, claimed up front, and it comes on top of anything the VPP pays you over time.

The amount varies by provider and contract, so we don't include it in your price.

How it's calculated

Certificates are worked out from the battery's usable capacity (counted up to 28 kWh), a set demand factor, six hours a day over six years and your network's loss factor. The dollar amount is the certificates' market value, less the provider's share, so it varies.

Example

Officially, a 13.5 kWh battery on the Ausgrid network creates about 297 certificates, and a battery of 28 kWh or more on the Endeavour network about 622, the most available. There's no official dollar figure; one provider publishes about $36 per usable kWh (about $489 for 13.5 kWh), held until at least 31 December 2026. Ask providers what they'll pay.

Who's eligible

A house or townhouse (or a small business site); apartment buildings have a separate scheme.
A grid-connected battery already installed at the meter, on the approved product list, with usable capacity over 2 kWh and up to 50 kWh.
At least six years left on the battery warranty, and joining mustn't void or reduce it.
The electricity account holder signs a VPP contract of at least 12 months with a provider that offers the incentive.
No registered life-support equipment at the site. One claim per meter; anyone who claimed between 1 November 2024 and 30 June 2025 can't claim again. There is no solar requirement.

How you receive it, and what your installer does

The VPP provider checks you're eligible, signs you up and lodges the claim.
You receive the incentive from the provider, as an up-front payment, instalments or bill credit, after a cooling-off period.
Your installer isn't involved unless they're also the VPP provider.

Conditions, exclusions and other incentives

It stacks with the federal Cheaper Home Batteries discount.
It can't be combined with the NSW apartment battery incentive.
Compare the whole VPP offer: how often they use your battery, any fees, and what it means for your warranty.

Official sources: Energy NSW: Virtual power plant (VPP) incentive · Energy NSW: Peak Demand Reduction Scheme · Peak Demand Reduction Scheme Rule (effective 7 Sep 2026)

Home Energy Saver (zero-interest loan) Open

What it is: A zero-interest, no-fee loan of up to $15,000, repaid over up to 10 years, for solar, batteries and other upgrades, for NSW homeowners with a combined taxable household income up to $210,000.
Run by: NSW Government (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water), through two participating lenders
In your Homerise estimate: A loan, not a discount, so it isn't taken off your price.
Last checked: 1 October 2026

How it works

A loan at 0% interest for approved energy upgrades, including rooftop solar and home batteries, repaid over up to 10 years.

The program's two participating lenders charge no establishment or account-keeping fees on these loans; a late payment fee can apply if you miss a repayment.

It's a loan, not a discount: you repay what you borrow, without interest. Federal and NSW incentives come off the price first, so the loan covers what's left, up to $15,000. If your upgrade costs more, you pay the difference, for example as a deposit.

Repayments start once the installation is complete and working.

How it's calculated

You borrow what's left after the other incentives, up to $15,000, at 0% interest, and repay it in equal instalments over the term you choose, up to 10 years.

Example

A $15,000 loan over 10 years is 120 monthly repayments of $125, with no interest and no fees. The lender sets the actual repayment schedule.

Who's eligible

The home is in NSW, and you own it as an owner-occupier or a landlord.
You're an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
Your combined taxable household income is up to $210,000. The lender checks it, usually from your latest Notice of Assessment.
You meet the lender's credit assessment.
It isn't available for social or community housing, or for a home used for short-stay rental, and a property can have up to $15,000 of upgrades through the loan in total.
In a strata building, the owners corporation must approve the upgrade; landlords need their tenant's consent.

How you receive it, and what your installer does

Get a quote from an approved supplier. Each lender publishes its list of approved suppliers, and only they can offer the loan.
Your supplier sends you the lender's application link with the upgrade and price filled in. You apply with proof that you own the home and of your household income, and the lender checks you can repay.
Once you're approved, the supplier books the installation. When it's installed and working, the lender pays the supplier and your repayments begin.

Conditions, exclusions and other incentives

Only upgrades that meet the program's product rules qualify. A battery needs more than 5 kWh of usable capacity, must be able to join a virtual power plant, needs a 10-year warranty that keeps at least 70% of its capacity, and must be installed where there's solar.
Solar panels and batteries must be designed and installed by Solar Accreditation Australia accredited installers and sold by a New Energy Tech Consumer Code approved seller.
Approved suppliers must not door-knock or cold-call.
A Home Energy Saver discount of up to $4,000 is coming later for households with an income up to $80,000 or an eligible concession card. For both on the same purchase, the NSW Government recommends waiting and applying for the discount first.
The loan covers the upgrade and its installation, not other work your home needs first (a switchboard upgrade is an eligible upgrade in its own right).

Official sources: Energy NSW: Home Energy Saver · Home Energy Saver loan guidelines (10 Sep 2026) · NSW Government media release (17 Jun 2026)

Closed or paused

Listed so you know where they stand. None of these can be applied for now.

NSW battery installation discount (Peak Demand Reduction Scheme) Suspended

What it is: Not generally available: since 1 July 2026 only through exempt energy programs and at government sites. The federal battery discount applies instead.
Run by: NSW Government (Energy NSW); IPART administers the scheme
In your Homerise estimate: Not available to new applicants.
Last checked: 26 September 2026

How it works

Until 30 June 2025, NSW households could get a discount on a new battery through the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme.

It's no longer available to home owners. Since 1 July 2026 it applies only at government-owned sites and through exempt energy programs.

Who's eligible

Not available to households.

Conditions, exclusions and other incentives

It couldn't be combined with the federal battery discount. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program applies instead.
Batteries that got this discount before 1 July 2025 can still claim the NSW VPP incentive.

Official sources: Energy NSW: Install a battery · Energy NSW: Peak Demand Reduction Scheme · Peak Demand Reduction Scheme Rule (effective 7 Sep 2026)

How your Homerise estimate uses these

Both federal rebates are taken off your estimated price, using your postcode's zone and your battery's usable size.
State programs are only deducted when the amount is fixed and applies to everyone. Where it depends on your income, retailer or eligibility, we show it next to your estimate and your installer confirms it.
Your installer confirms every rebate on their final proposal, based on the installation date.

See what applies to your home

Work it out first: the battery rebate calculator and the solar rebate calculator use the same rules table as this page.

What solar and batteries cost there, with local figures: solar and battery prices in Sydney.

Last checked 26 September 2026 against the official sources linked in each section. Programs change: if you spot something out of date, see our editorial standards. More detail: Cheaper Home Batteries explained · solar rebates in 2026 · all states.