Australia’s clean energy sector has reached a pivotal turning point. With amendments to the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001, solar batteries are now officially eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the national Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). This long-anticipated change signals a major leap forward for energy storage, empowering more households and installers to accelerate solar battery adoption across the country.
Until now, STCs were reserved for solar PV systems. Batteries, despite their crucial role in energy independence, did not receive the same government-backed incentives. That changed in 2025, and with it comes a new wave of demand, innovation, and opportunity.
As a result, solar batteries are no longer an optional upgrade, they’re now recognised as a core building block of Australia’s clean energy future.
From optional add-on to essential component
For years, solar batteries have been seen as a nice-to-have. High upfront costs and lack of incentives often put storage out of reach for many families. The new STC eligibility changes that.
By granting solar batteries access to the same incentives as PV systems, the government has:
- Lowered the economic barrier for homeowners to install battery systems
- Created strong financial reasons to add batteries alongside solar
- Made retrofit upgrades more viable for existing solar users
The result? Battery-ready homes will become the new norm, not the exception.
As peak-time electricity rates continue to rise, storing free solar energy during the day and using it at night becomes a logical choice. And now that this logic is backed by real rebates, adoption is expected to climb fast.
What this means for households across Australia
With solar batteries now STC-eligible, homeowners across the country have:
- New reasons to invest in storage, especially if they already have rooftop solar
- Access to rebates that reduce upfront battery costs
- Opportunities to increase self-consumption, reduce grid reliance and protect against outages
For example, a 10 kWh solar battery system that previously cost $11,000 could now benefit from several hundred dollars in STC rebates, depending on location and eligibility. For many families, this brings storage into a more affordable range.
It also sets the stage for smart energy management. Batteries allow households to charge during off-peak or solar hours and discharge during peak pricing – effectively flattening their bills and improving ROI on solar.
A major opportunity for installers and retailers
This policy update is not just a win for households, it’s a huge opportunity for solar professionals.
Installers can now:
- Offer battery storage with STC support as part of new solar packages
- Re-engage existing solar customers with retrofit battery offers
- Grow their value-added services through smart system design, energy management setups, and compliance handling
However, there are important compliance rules:
- Only Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA)-accredited designers and installers can carry out STC-eligible battery installs
- CEC-approved products must be used (batteries, inverters, PV modules)
- Detailed evidence is required: geotagged, time-stamped photos of each install stage
- Documentation must be accurate and complete, with serials matching records
Solar Rains is here to help installers navigate all of this.
Solar Rains’ role in this new battery-driven market
As a trusted partner in clean energy, Solar Rains is ready to support installers and households through this solar battery boom.
We offer:
- STC-eligible, CEC-approved battery solutions from leading brands
- Battery systems tailored to home or small business use, in capacities from 5 kWh to 30 kWh
- Dedicated support for installers, including:
- Pre-installation compatibility checks
- Accurate serial & label matching
- Help with EMS setup & scheduling
- Guidance on test procedures, time-of-use optimization & STC documentation
We believe the future of energy is not just solar-powered – it’s solar-stored.
Long-term impact: The rise of the solar battery home
This policy shift will ripple far beyond 2025. As STC-backed batteries become the new standard, Australia will see:
- Greater grid resilience, with distributed energy resources (DERs) improving peak management
- Faster growth of Virtual Power Plants (VPPs), powered by battery homes
- Broader participation from renters and diverse households, thanks to falling prices and smarter incentives
When every kilowatt-hour of sunlight can be stored, shared, and shifted, we get closer to a zero-carbon grid.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
STCs are certificates that provide rebates for eligible renewable energy systems. As of 2025, solar batteries are included under SRES, allowing homeowners to claim rebates based on system size and location.
Only SAA-accredited installers using CEC-approved products. Detailed documentation is required to prove compliance and secure STCs.
Yes, if the installation meets the new eligibility criteria and is done after 1 July 2025.
We supply approved battery systems, help installers meet all compliance requirements, and ensure your system is STC-ready.
Conclusion: It’s time to move from generation to storage
With STCs now backing solar battery systems, Australia has entered a new era of smart energy.
This is not just policy reform – it’s a signal that energy storage is now mainstream. Solar Rains is here to help you make the most of it – whether you’re a homeowner looking to maximise solar value or an installer ready to grow your battery offerings.
Let’s build a cleaner, more resilient grid – one battery at a time.
