Rebate Reduces
Over Time
The discount value drops every six months ending in 2030, with key changes taking effect from May 1 2026
Upfront
Discount
You get a direct price reduction on the battery and installation, not a delayed credit.
Eligibility
Criteria
For homes with new or existing solar panels, small businesses and community facilities. The rebate is not means tested
How To
Claim
Accredited installers handle the paperwork and apply the discount at the point of sale
How it works
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is a federal initiative launched on July 1, 2025, designed to make renewable energy storage more affordable for Australian households.
It operates through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), using Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on the battery’s usable capacity.
The scheme functions as an upfront discount; when you purchase an eligible solar battery, the installer claims the rebate on your behalf. This value is deducted directly from your quote, typically reducing the total cost by 30% or more.
To benefit from the program, your system must be installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) certified professional and use products from the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved list.
Date Range
STC Factor
Estimated Rebate
(per kWh)
July – Dec 2025
9.3
$372
Jan – April 2026
8.4
$302 – $311
April – Dec 2026
6.8
$244 – $252
Jan – June 2027
5.7
$211
July – Dec 2027
5.2
$192
Jan – June 2028
4.6
$170
…tapering to…
…
…
July – Dec 2030
2.1
$84
Example pricing
The tables below show how the government solar battery incentive for eligible 2026 installations, before the May rule changes, could help reduce your out of pocket costs on popular battery models.
All prices are indicative only and based on average market estimates. Incentive amounts are calculated using an assumed STC value of $37 per certificate and vary depending on battery size. Your actual rebate and final price may differ.
For an accurate price tailored to your home and energy needs, we recommend requesting a free, no obligation quote.
SIGENERGY
SigenStor
13.5kWh
- STCs 109
- Average Price $13,409
- Federal Rebate $4,040
- Net Price $9,369
TESLA
Powerwall 3
13.5kWh
- STCs 113
- Average Price $15,642
- Federal Rebate $4,196
- Net Price $11,446
SUNGROW
SBR
9.6kWh
- STCs 81
- Average Price $10,917
- Federal Rebate $2,984
- Net Price $7,933
BYD
B-Box LVS 12
13.8kWh
- STCs 116
- Average Price $14,181
- Federal Rebate $4,289
- Net Price $9,892
STARTS 1 MAY 2026
Tiered Rebate Tapering
The most significant shift occurs on May 1, 2026, when the program introduces a tiered tapering system alongside its regular six-monthly value reductions. Under this new structure, the rebate is calculated based on “bands” of capacity, prioritising smaller household systems.
0–14 kWh (Tier 1): Receives the full 100% rebate rate.
14–28 kWh (Tier 2): Receives only 60% of the rebate rate for capacity in this range.
28–50 kWh (Tier 3): Receives only 15% of the rebate rate for capacity in this range.
50 kWh+ Cap: No rebate is provided for any capacity exceeding 50kWh of usable storage, regardless of total system size.
This tiered approach means that while a standard 10kWh battery remains highly subsidised, larger residential systems will see their total discount significantly reduced starting in mid-2026.