Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
As of 1 July 2025, the Australian Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) has been expanded to include solar battery systems, providing financial incentives to households and small businesses for installing eligible battery storage solutions.
Key Features of the Scheme:
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Solar batteries must have a nominal capacity between 5 kWh and 100 kWh.
- Batteries must be installed in conjunction with new or existing solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
- Only the first 50 kWh of a battery’s usable capacity is eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
- Systems must be listed on the Clean Energy Council’s approved product list.
- Installations must be carried out by professionals accredited with Solar Accreditation Australia.
- All installations must comply with state and territory electrical safety regulations.
- Financial Incentives:
- The scheme offers approximately a 30% discount on the upfront cost of installing eligible solar battery systems.
- This discount is facilitated through the creation of STCs, which are purchased by the Australian Government, ensuring no additional costs are passed on to energy retailers or consumers.
- The value of the discount will gradually decrease until the scheme concludes in 2030.
- Benefits:
- Installing a solar battery system can help households and businesses reduce their electricity bills by storing excess solar energy for use during peak demand times or when solar generation is not possible.
- The integration of battery storage enhances energy independence and contributes to a more stable and sustainable energy grid.
For further detailed information on eligibility, please visit the Clean Energy Regulator’s official page on: https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme/small-scale-renewable-energy-systems/solar-batteries