As the world moves towards a greener future, many businesses in South Australia are switching to renewable energy sources such as solar energy. Not only does this help the environment, but it can also save businesses money in the long run. Federal incentives, retailer feed-in tariffs and, for businesses in the City of Adelaide, council rebates can all help reduce the cost.
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South Australia - solar rebates and incentives
South Australia has one of the highest rates of rooftop solar in the world. While there’s no state-wide solar rebate for businesses, SA businesses can access federal STCs and battery discounts, retailer feed-in tariffs, and, in the City of Adelaide, council co-funding.
Feed-in Tariff (FiT) in South Australia
The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) in South Australia allows solar energy system owners to receive compensation for the excess electricity they generate and feed back into the grid.
Energy retailers set their own FiT rates, which are influenced by factors such as the wholesale price of electricity and market competition. South Australia has had no regulated minimum feed-in tariff since 1 January 2017, and many plans pay only a few cents per kWh, sometimes with a higher rate for a limited daily export amount. Since 1 July 2025, SA Power Networks has also applied an export tariff for residential and small business customers with inverters up to 30 kW. The first 9 kWh exported each day between 10am and 4pm is free, and exports above that attract a charge of 1 cent per kWh, which retailers may pass on. Exports between 4pm and 10am attract no charge.
Systems connected before 30 September 2011 remain on a legacy distributor feed-in tariff of 44 cents per kWh until 30 June 2028, as long as the system isn’t upgraded or altered. This doesn’t apply to new commercial installations. Businesses are encouraged to compare retailer plans carefully and prioritise self-consumption over export where possible.
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What are STCs, and how can I access them for my commercial system?
Your system will get a specialised number of STCs based on the system size you install. Each STC is equivalent to one MWh (megawatt hour). The number of STCs assigned to your system varies depending on the expected MWh of energy generated over the remaining deeming period, that is, the number of years left until the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme closes at the end of 2030. As of 2026, this means approximately 5 deeming years remain, down from 6 in 2025, and this number will continue to decrease annually. This directly reduces the number of STCs, and therefore the upfront rebate value, for systems installed later in the scheme. Example: if your system has an expected production capacity of 50 MWh over the remaining deeming life, you could be assigned 50 STCs. The market values each STC.
When buying solar panels from an authorised supplier, you receive Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) that reduce your solar purchase cost. The number of STCs depends on your system’s size and location zone. To be eligible, your panels and inverters must be on the Clean Energy Council’s approved products list, and your system must be designed and installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited professional.
Federal battery discount for small businesses
Small businesses in South Australia can claim the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program discount on an eligible battery. Batteries of 5 to 100 kWh are eligible, but the discount is only calculated on the first 50 kWh of usable capacity, and reduces for capacity above 14 kWh. Learn more on our Federal Battery Rebate page.
Commercial systems and Large-Scale Generation Certificates (LGCs)
Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) are part of the Renewable Energy Target’s Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET). Solar systems that are too big for STCs can apply to the Clean Energy Regulator for accreditation as a power station. Once accredited, the system creates one LGC for each megawatt hour of eligible renewable electricity it generates, and the business can sell those LGCs to electricity retailers and other buyers for extra income. Unlike STCs, LGCs aren’t paid upfront. They’re only created for electricity the system has actually generated, so the system must measure its output and the owner must submit an annual generation return.
From October 2026, the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme was expanded to cover mid-scale solar PV systems above 100 kW and up to 1 MW. These systems can claim STCs upfront, with a fixed five-year deeming period. SA businesses considering a system in this size range should ask their installer which pathway applies to their project.
Read more about business grants, incentives and rebates:
City of Adelaide: Sustainability Incentives Scheme
Businesses located within the City of Adelaide local government area have access to an additional layer of support through the City of Adelaide’s Sustainability Incentives Scheme, on top of the federal STC/LGC support above. Funding rounds for this scheme open periodically rather than running continuously, and can be fully committed before a round officially closes, so current fund availability should always be checked directly with the City of Adelaide before applying.
Key incentives relevant to businesses include:
- Business Solar PV: 20% of installed cost up to $2,500, depending on system size.
- Shared Solar (now delivered via Climate Smart Buildings): 75% up to $10,000 for a business case or design covering whole-building projects including shared solar, plus 50% up to $40,000 for project management and delivery of approved works.
- Energy Storage: 50% up to $1,000 toward battery energy storage.
- Climate Smart Buildings: 75% up to $10,000 for whole-building planning or business cases (covering electrification, shared solar, EV charging, water saving, and more), plus a separate 50% up to $40,000 implementation rebate for delivering approved projects.
- Appliance Electrification: 50% up to $10,000 for replacing gas appliances with electric or solar-powered alternatives.
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations: 25% up to $2,000 for a “smart” EV charging station (7kW to under 50kW), or 50% up to $250 for an e-bicycle charging station.
- Newer categories also cover switchboard upgrades, building performance ratings, thermally efficient windows and doors, green walls/roofs, and insulation, each offering 50% co-funding up to a set cap, with most requiring pre-commitment before work begins.
Eligible applicants generally include small and medium-sized businesses, multi-storey commercial buildings, body corporates, and community or non-profit groups. Since these incentives are structured as co-funding on top of, rather than instead of, federal STC or LGC support, an eligible Adelaide business installing solar could realistically combine both in the same project.
| INCENTIVE | WHO CAN APPLY | REBATE AMOUNT |
|---|---|---|
| Business Solar PV | Small businesses Medium-sized businesses Multi-storey commercial buildings | 20% of installed cost up to $2,500, depending on system size. Note: residential and not-for-profit properties with larger systems are eligible for a higher cap of up to $5,000.cap of up to $5,000. |
| Shared Solar | Residential strata building Community buildings Body corporation buildings Multi-storey commercial buildings | Shared solar is now funded as part of Climate Smart Buildings: • 75% up to $10,000 – for a business case / design for whole-building projects including shared solar (min 25% of generation shared with individual tenants, not common areas) • 50% up to $40,000 – via Climate Smart Buildings Implementation for project management & delivery of approved works |
| Energy Storage | Small businesses Medium-sized businesses Multi-storey commercial buildings Non-profits groups Community groups Sporting groups | 50% up to $1,000 Battery energy storage |
| Climate Smart Buildings | Community/ body corporation buildings Multi-storey commercial buildings | 75% up to $10,000 for innovative whole-building planning/business cases (e.g. electrification, shared solar, EV charging, resource recovery, water saving, greening, meter board upgrades). Pre-commitment required. • Separate Climate Smart Buildings Implementation rebate provides 50% up to $40,000 for delivering approved projects. |
| Appliance Electrification | Community/ body corporation buildings Small businesses Medium-sized businesses Multi-storey commercial buildings | 50% up to $10,000 Commercial replacement of gas appliance with electric or solar powered (e.g. hot water) |
| Electric Vehicle Charging Stations | Community/ body corporation buildings Small businesses Medium-sized businesses Multi-storey commercial buildings | 50% up to $250 Electric bicycle charging station 50% up to $1,000 Electric vehicle one way charging station (7 kW to <50 kW) 25% up to $2,000 Electric vehicle ‘smart’* charging station (7 kW to < 50 kW) * Smart stations include those with demand management capabilities or two-way charging capabilities |
| Switchboard Upgrades (new) | Community/body corporation buildings, small businesses, medium-sized businesses, multi-storey commercial buildings | 50% up to $5,000 – Switchboard upgrades to support electrification, solar and/or battery installation, or EV charging. Pre-commitment required. |
| Performance Ratings (new) | Community/body corporation buildings, multi-storey commercial buildings | 50% up to $5,000 – Building environmental ratings (e.g. Green Star, EarthCheck). Note: NABERS is not funded. |
| Thermal Efficient Windows or Doors (new) | Community/body corporation buildings, small businesses, medium-sized businesses, multi-storey commercial buildings | 50% up to $3,500 – Replacement of external single-glazed windows or doors with thermally efficient alternatives. Pre-commitment required. |
| Living Buildings (new) | Community/body corporation buildings, small businesses, medium-sized businesses, multi-storey commercial buildings | 50% up to $5,000 – Consultant service fees for design and installation of green wall or green roof features. Maintenance plan must be provided. Pre-commitment required. |
| Insulation (new) | Community/body corporation buildings, small businesses, medium-sized businesses, multi-storey commercial buildings | 50% up to $2,000 – Purchase and installation of insulation in an uninsulated ceiling, underfloor, or wall space. Pre-commitment required. |
Sources: Government of South Australia, City of Adelaide
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Take advantage of SA rebates
Compared to other solar panels, they offer a high price in Australia and throughout Australia. The government provides incentives for home batteries by providing a rebate for solar panels and feed-in tariffs.
There are many incentives for businesses in South Australia to adopt solar energy. These incentives can help businesses save money, increase energy independence, and contribute to a greener future. By switching to solar energy, businesses can take advantage of these benefits and help create a sustainable future.
Solar energy financing options
Understanding financing options is vital to maximising incentives and achieving a ROI. While government rebates and FiTs provide immediate financial benefits, there are several financing models that can make solar energy more accessible.
· Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs): Businesses can enter into PPAs to pay for solar energy generated by a solar system installed at their site without the upfront costs. This arrangement delivers predictability in energy costs while benefiting from immediate savings.
· Solar leases: Similar to PPAs, this allows businesses to host solar panels on their property and pay a fixed monthly fee. It eliminates the capital expense of buying a solar system while ensuring reduced energy bills.
· Green loans: A lot of financial institutions offer green loans specifically for renewable energy projects. They usually come with lower interest rates to make them an attractive option for funding solar installations.
These different financing avenues can help SA businesses leverage available incentives and invest in a sustainable energy future while enhancing their bottom line.
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