The phrase solar battery rebate usually means the federal discount on a home battery that works with rooftop solar. It is delivered through certificates, not a government cheque.
Who qualifies
You qualify if you install a battery at a property that has new or existing solar, the battery is CEC approved and VPP-capable, it is between 5 kWh and 100 kWh, it is installed by an accredited installer after 1 July 2025, and there has been no previous claim at the property. You do not have to be on a VPP. There is no income test for the federal program.
How much it is worth
STCs are calculated from usable kWh, with the tiers that began on 1 May 2026, and the factor for the year of installation. From 1 May 2026 the factor is 6.8, from 1 January 2027 it is 5.7 and from 1 July 2027 it is 5.2. At about $38 to $40 per certificate a 14 kWh battery earns roughly $3,600 to $3,800 in 2026 and $3,000 to $3,200 in 2027. A 28 kWh battery earns about $5,800 to $6,100 in 2026.
How you receive it
You assign the certificates to the installer, who sells them and reduces your price. You do not have to deal with the registry yourself.
Things to check before signing
- The battery model number is on the CEC list.
- The installer is accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia, which you can check on the public lookup.
- The quote shows the STC count and the dollar value used.
- The commissioning date is written into the contract.
- The warranty covers the usable capacity, not only the nominal figure.
What about solar panels on the same job
If you install new solar and a battery together, you receive two sets of certificates: solar STCs based on the panel capacity and the deeming period, and battery STCs based on usable kWh. They are separate calculations. Ask for both to be itemised on the quote so you can see what each is worth.
What this means for you
Compare quotes on the same usable capacity and ask for the STC count. See the federal rebate per kWh, the battery STC pillar and how it works. For the solar side of the scheme, our deeming period page explains how the panel rebate is shortening.