The program’s name mentions homes, but the conditions are about the battery and the installation rather than who lives there. If a business, farm or community site installs an eligible battery, certificates may be available. Rules on exactly who and what counts are set by the Clean Energy Regulator, so verify your site against them before you quote.
Conditions that apply
At the time of writing, the main requirements are:
- Usable capacity between 5 and 100 kWh, with up to 50 kWh counted.
- A battery on the Clean Energy Council approved list.
- Virtual power plant capability.
- Installation by an accredited installer.
- One battery per property.
- Compatibility with new or existing solar.
The STC factor is 6.8 per kWh at the time of writing, 5.7 from 1 January 2027 and 5.2 from 1 July 2027. A 30 kWh battery in 2026 therefore earns about 204 certificates, around $7,750 at current market prices.
Where businesses differ
Commercial sites tend to have more complex switchboards, three-phase supply and network approval requirements. Network operators may have their own rules for larger systems, and some businesses prefer bigger batteries than the 50 kWh counted capacity. Tax treatment matters too: ask an accountant how the discount and any depreciation are handled.
Bigger projects
If your project is larger than the program allows, other incentives or certificate schemes may apply instead. They are different in structure, so do not assume the small-scale numbers extend. A specialist can help assess the alternatives.
What this means for you
Installers working on commercial sites should confirm eligibility with the CER before quoting, and use the battery STC calculator guide for the maths. Energy Merchants supports battery claims with pre-checks and a published rate; see the battery STC pillar and how it works.
Whatever the type of site, the documentation is the same discipline: ownership details, the approved model, clear photos and a properly signed assignment. Businesses with several sites should treat each property separately, since the one battery per property condition applies to each site, and keep a separate evidence pack for every location.