The small-scale scheme has been busier in 2026 than in any year since it began. Here is the year in order.
January: solar deeming drops to 5 years
On 1 January the solar deeming period fell to 5 years. A 6.6 kW system in zone 3 now creates 45 STCs, down from 54 in 2025. See solar deeming period by year.
March: new battery evidence rules
From 1 March, battery claims need stronger photo and evidence requirements. Our battery photo guide and the battery submission guide cover what the CER now expects.
May: battery tiers and a lower factor
From 1 May 2026 the Cheaper Home Batteries Program applies tiers to usable capacity: the first 14 kWh at 100 per cent of the factor, 14 to 28 kWh at 60 per cent, and 28 to 50 kWh at 15 per cent. The factor is 6.8 for May to December 2026, stepping down to 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and 5.2 on 1 July 2027. See the 1 May 2026 changes and the battery STC calculator.
1 October: mid-scale solar joins the scheme
Solar systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW installed from 1 October 2026 create STCs with a fixed five-year deeming period, after amendments to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations. The CER has said applications open mid to late November 2026. Below 100 kW nothing changes; above 1 MW remains LGCs. Details are on mid-scale solar STCs and the 100 kW limit.
What has not changed
The end date of 31 December 2030, the zone ratings (1.622, 1.536, 1.382 and 1.185) and the process of creating and assigning STCs. Note also that state programs such as the Solar Victoria household income cap, which fell to $150,000 on 1 July 2026, are separate from the federal scheme.
What this means for installers
Three things need a process change: battery evidence on every job, battery quotes that use the tiers and the current factor, and a plan for commercial jobs between 100 kW and 1 MW. The compliance desk at Energy Merchants pre-checks claims against the current rules, and our installer guide to the batteries program goes deeper.
Check rates on pricing, see the deeming period pillar and start trading.