Business Solar Solutions
Commercial Solar
Businesses in South Australia can receive solar rebates and other incentives to install solar panels
Government Incentives & Benefits
The federal solar rebate in South Australia can reduce the cost of solar panels by around 30%. The amount of the rebate depends on the system size, location, and how soon the system is installed.
Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant
Businesses can apply for a grant of $2,500–$50,000 for purchasing energy equipment or solutions between $5,000–$100,000.
Solar Subsidy
The government offers a solar subsidy for businesses.
Instant Asset Write-Off
Businesses can benefit from the government's instant asset write-off scheme, which can shorten the payback period for solar systems to as little as three years.
Small Scale Technology Certificates (STC)
Businesses can now receive up to 1MW of STCs under the newly approved government offer which can take around 30% off the initial price.
Reduced Energy Costs
Businesses can significantly reduce their energy costs by installing solar panels.
Improved Sustainability
Installing solar panels can improve a business's sustainability profile, which can be attractive to environmentally-conscious customers and partners.
Commercial Solar Packages
From 1 October 2026
Major New Solar Rebate for Australian Businesses
The Federal Government intends to expand its upfront solar incentive to cover commercial systems from 100kW up to 1MW — ten times the current system-size limit. Eligible projects could receive an upfront discount worth approximately 20% of the installation cost through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
Who could benefit?
The expanded incentive is aimed at sites with large rooftops and significant daytime electricity use. Businesses consuming most of their electricity during daylight hours are likely to achieve the strongest returns.
- Factories and warehouses
- Offices and shopping centres
- Farms and agricultural facilities
- Schools, hospitals and community buildings
- Cold-storage and food-processing facilities
How will the rebate work?
Eligible systems between 100kW and 1MW will receive STCs, applied by the solar provider as an upfront discount — reducing the amount your business needs to pay. Systems above 1MW remain under the separate Large-scale Renewable Energy Target framework.
The proposed expansion is expected to begin on 1 October 2026, subject to the necessary regulations being finalised. Projects must also meet accreditation, electrical safety, planning and network-connection requirements.
Is it worth waiting?
Not necessarily. A business should compare the additional rebate available after October against the electricity savings it could lose by delaying installation. The best approach is to assess:
- At least 12 months of electricity bills or interval data
- Daytime energy consumption patterns
- Available roof space and structural capacity
- Network-export and connection limits
- Solar-only versus solar-and-battery options
- Expected payback before and after the new incentive
We design commercial solar and battery systems around your actual electricity profile — not simply the maximum capacity that will fit on the roof. Contact our Adelaide team for a detailed assessment.
Get a free assessmentThe proposed commencement date and eligibility rules remain subject to regulations being put in place. Final discounts will depend on system size, installation date, STC values and project eligibility.
Adding Battery Storage to Your Commercial Solar Project
Solar panels are only part of the opportunity. Combining solar with a properly sized commercial battery helps businesses use more of the electricity they generate and achieve greater control over their energy costs.
Why combine solar with battery storage?
Solar panels generate the most electricity during the day. Excess energy not used immediately is normally exported to the grid — often for much less than the price charged when you buy electricity back later. A battery captures this excess so it can be used when solar production drops or electricity prices are higher.
- Store excess daytime solar for evening or overnight use
- Reduce electricity purchased during expensive peak periods
- Reduce demand charges by limiting short spikes in grid consumption
- Increase solar self-consumption and reduce low-value exports
- Provide backup power for selected essential equipment
- Support future EV charging or business expansion
- Participate in suitable Virtual Power Plant programs
Solar and batteries must be sized together
The best commercial energy system is not necessarily the largest one that will fit on the roof. An effective design considers how much electricity the business uses, when that electricity is consumed, and how much power is required at any one time. We analyse interval data — not just the total shown on the bill — to determine how solar and battery storage can work together.
For example, a warehouse operating mainly during daylight hours may achieve excellent returns from solar alone. A hospitality venue, cold-storage facility or business operating into the evening may benefit more from adding battery storage. Battery value can also depend on demand charges — a carefully controlled battery may discharge during short periods of high demand, reducing the maximum demand recorded for the billing period.
Can batteries provide blackout protection?
Yes, but backup power is not automatic with every battery installation. The system must include compatible backup equipment and be designed for the required loads. Businesses can choose to back up essential circuits — refrigeration, communications, security or critical machinery — or consider a larger whole-site solution where practical.
The required battery inverter power is just as important as storage capacity. A battery may store enough energy for several hours but still be unable to start or operate large equipment if its output is undersized.
Is there also a battery rebate?
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides upfront STC support for eligible batteries installed at homes and small businesses. Eligible systems must generally have a nominal capacity between 5kWh and 100kWh, with support limited to the first 50kWh and progressively reduced for capacity above 14kWh and 28kWh.
This battery support is separate from the proposed expansion of the commercial solar rebate. Larger commercial batteries may still offer a strong financial return, even when some or all of their capacity is outside the federal battery incentive.
Start planning now
Commercial solar and battery projects can require energy analysis, engineering, network approval and equipment planning. Before deciding, we recommend assessing:
- 12 months of electricity bills and interval data
- Daytime, evening and overnight consumption
- Peak-demand charges
- Roof space and electrical infrastructure
- Network connection and export limitations
- Solar-only and solar-plus-battery options
- Backup-power requirements
- Estimated annual savings and payback period
Ready to Go Solar?
Contact us today to find out how much your business could save.