The Complete Guide to Solar Grants and Financing in SA for 2026

· 5 min read
The Complete Guide to Solar Grants and Financing in SA for 2026

ABR Joint Registration allows for a business name and Australian Business Number (ABN) to be registered at the same time through the ABR website. These maintenance tasks are performed at this time to avoid customer impacts during regular AEST business hours. You can register a managed investment scheme using the eLicensing system (not the ASIC regulatory portal). Information and steps on how to apply for an Australian financial services (AFS) licence.
The news follows a spate of renewable energy milestones in South Australia, including the world’s biggest lithium ion battery. One of the world’s biggest solar thermal plants and the world’s biggest virtual power plant are also slated. Queenslanders can access the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) to reduce government grant for battery storage the cost of solar installations. The federal government has rolled  out incentives for electric vehicles as part of its push to accelerate the transition to EVs. The Electric Car Discount exempts eligible electric vehicles from fringe benefits tax (FBT exemption) and import tariffs, making EVs more affordable for businesses and imported models.

Schemes can change often but generally last for a few years so as to get as many people on board as possible. If you live in New South Wales and don’t qualify for a state rebate, you may want to consider applying for a federal scheme if you qualify. Join hundreds of clean energy professionals completing our self-paced, online courses that support social performance. Households and small businesses can get a discount when upgrading to energy-efficient appliances. If you engage a good installer, they can help answer your questions and ensure you meet the eligibility requirements.
A total of $20 million is available under Round 3 of the Business Growth Fund, offering grants under the Powering Business Grants program (the ‘Program’). Many South Australian energy retailers offer VPP programs that let you share stored energy for bill credits. Make a start on acquiring a power bill busting PV system for your home by getting a quote from trusted solar installers in the SolarQuotes network. Their products will be exclusively available to households during this time. These expand to the full $6000 subsidy for a large system with 10 kWh storage. Solar panels and batteries installed today are likely to benefit from future smart tariffs, export pricing and market reforms as they’re introduced.
Wholesale energy prices rise in the evening as there’s less renewable energy available and more demand. This is your chance to automatically earn more for the battery energy you sell and reduce your bills thanks to Amber’s smart tech. That totals about 75,000 new battery storage systems installed last year — up 47 per cent from 2023. About 320,000 Australian homes already have a battery, according to solar  energy consultancy SunWiz, and around one-in-three homes that installed a solar system in 2024 opted to get a battery at the same time.  The Cheaper Home Batteries subsidy is a 30 per cent up-front discount off the cost of a battery and will be delivered through the same government scheme that provides discounted solar. The program will cost $2.3 billion over the forward estimates and was factored into the recent budget.

"The next biggest scheme is in South Australia — the AGL 1,000 household scheme. That's still being developed, this is 50 times bigger. Following the trial, a further 24,000 systems are set to be installed in Housing Trust properties. If you’re not sure how to get hold of your NEM12 file – and most solar owners wouldn’t – we have a guide to accessing your smart meter data here (note that the NT isn’t included). The loans are operating under the state’s long-running Solar Homes program, overseen by Solar Victoria. The Australian government is taking the next steps to roll out 400 batteries in neighbourhoods across the country as part of the $200 million (USD 134 million) Community Batteries for Household Solar program.
Today, the battery subsidy offers $250 per kWh for energy concession holders and $150 per kWh for non-holders; up to a $2,000 maximum. The project will include a grid-connected micro-grid with 2.9MWh of smart battery storage, demand management, new network integration technology and up to 6MW of rooftop solar power. Under the new Federal Battery Rebate, businesses installing batteries between 5kWh and 50kWh may be eligible for rebates of up to $18,500. The program would be delivered through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which already provides rooftop solar subsidies. Solar Battery Group is dedicated to helping you navigate this landscape, ensuring you can maximise these opportunities to enhance energy independence and contribute to a sustainable future. Contact us today to explore how you can benefit from government incentives for your solar battery installation.

Solar panels are a smart financial investment, delivering excellent returns through energy savings. Adding a solar battery enhances these benefits by providing energy independence, backup power, and greater control over your energy usage—advantages that go beyond just financial gains. Residents of the City of Adelaide can receive a 50% discount, up to $2,000, on solar battery storage through the Sustainability Incentives Scheme. This scheme aims to reduce the upfront costs of energy-efficient upgrades, promoting sustainability and reducing household energy bills. The bad news is that unlike the Australian solar panel rebate, which is available nationally and is still generous in 2025, there are no federal incentives for solar batteries – yet.
As per the South Australian government website, all home battery scheme subsidies have been allocated. A PhD candidate at the University of South Australia has found domestic solar batteries can pay for themselves within the warranty period for some South Australians. “Labor’s $500 million energy plan was not going to lower prices so they’ve started adopting parts of the @marshall_steven energy plan,” he tweeted. SA Liberals leader Steven Marshall said Labor was just taking a leaf out of his book with the no-interest loans scheme. While full details are yet to be  provided, loans of up to $10,000 will be made available interest-free for the first seven years.
You only pay your installer the net cost of the system (the gross price less the rebate). Over 54% 1 of homes in South Australia already have solar panels contributing to the state’s high percentage (74%) 2 of electricity generated from renewable sources. So, when you get a quote for solar + battery, the STC discount and battery subsidy are often baked in — no separate grant application needed in many cases.

That’s why we have generously put in place, a brilliant plan for all our customers and prospects – an INTEREST FREE program that’s designed to assist everyone to live comfortably all season round. Interest-free programs are great for people that can regularly pay monthly installments for big ticket items and have a regular income that allows for on time payments towards their bills and plans. An iconic South Australian homegrown company, we are proud of our reputation for delivering premium installations, service and repairs. Our industry knowledge is second to none and with more than 100 members on staff, you can rest assured that you will receive quality work and support anytime you need one.