The solar rebate in Australia is a pile of small-scale technology certificates (STCs). The dollar value is the number of STCs multiplied by the price someone will pay for each. At the time of writing, STCs have traded at roughly $38 to $40, and the clearing house ceiling is $40. The table below uses that range for 2026 installs.
Rebate value by size
| System size | Zone 3 value | Zone 4 value |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | $760 to $800 | $646 to $680 |
| 5 kW | $1,292 to $1,360 | $1,102 to $1,160 |
| 6.6 kW | $1,710 to $1,800 | $1,482 to $1,560 |
| 8 kW | $2,090 to $2,200 | $1,786 to $1,880 |
| 10 kW | $2,622 to $2,760 | $2,242 to $2,360 |
| 13.2 kW | $3,458 to $3,640 | $2,964 to $3,120 |
| 15 kW | $3,914 to $4,120 | $3,344 to $3,520 |
| 20 kW | $5,244 to $5,520 | $4,484 to $4,720 |
| 30 kW | $7,866 to $8,280 | $6,726 to $7,080 |
| 50 kW | $13,110 to $13,800 | $11,248 to $11,840 |
| 99 kW | $25,992 to $27,360 | $22,268 to $23,440 |
| 100 kW | $26,258 to $27,640 | $22,496 to $23,680 |
The count behind each line is in how many STCs by solar system size. The formula is kW x zone rating x deeming period, rounded down, and the 2026 deeming period is 5 years.
3 kW and 5 kW systems
A 3 kW system earns 20 STCs in zone 3, or $760 to $800. A 5 kW system earns 34, or $1,292 to $1,360. These are small systems, and the rebate is a large share of the sticker price.
6.6 kW, the common size
A 6.6 kW system creates 45 STCs in zone 3 and 39 in zone 4. At $38 to $40 that is $1,710 to $1,800 in Sydney or Brisbane and $1,482 to $1,560 in Melbourne. The worked sum is in the 6.6 kW answer.
8 kW to 20 kW
Larger homes and small businesses land here. 10 kW earns 69 STCs in zone 3, and 20 kW earns 138. Commercial buyers should note that the rebate here is still an upfront discount, not a cash payment.
30 kW to 100 kW
These are commercial systems. 30 kW creates 207 STCs, 50 kW creates 345, 99 kW creates 684 and 100 kW creates 691 in zone 3. The 100 kW line is the top of the small-scale scheme. Above it, systems installed from 1 October 2026 up to 1 MW also create STCs; see the mid-scale expansion.
How the rebate reaches you
You do not apply to the government. You assign your STCs to your installer using an assignment form, and the installer takes the value off your price, then sells the certificates to a trader. Read more in STC discounts on solar quotes. The discount the installer shows can be lower than spot because it reflects their trading arrangement, so ask how the figure was set.
What drops next
The deeming period falls to 4 years for 2027 installs, so every figure above falls by roughly a fifth next year, before any price movement. At the time of writing the schedule runs to 1 year for 2030 and the scheme ends on 31 December 2030. See the 2027 changes.
What this means for you
Quote the system, then check the STC line. Use the STC calculator with your postcode to confirm the certificate count, and compare the dollar value the installer applies with the ranges above. If you are an installer wanting to see what you can settle certificates for, rates are on pricing.