Commercial Solar Rebates Now Cover Systems up to 1MW – What It Means for Mid North Coast Businesses
From 1 October 2026, the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) expands to cover solar systems up to 1MW – up from the old 100kW cap. For medium and large sites on the Mid North Coast, that’s the biggest change to commercial solar in years.
What’s changing
- Bigger systems now earn STCs. Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) – the “solar rebate” most people know from home systems – will be available for systems between 100kW and 1MW.
- The discount comes off up front. Like residential solar, the certificate value is normally applied as a point-of-sale discount on your installation price.
- Roughly a 20% saving. Industry estimates put the reduction at around 20% of upfront cost – in the order of $68,000 on a 250kW system and $230,000 on an 850kW system. Actual values depend on certificate prices and final scheme rules.
Who benefits most
Sites with big daytime loads and big roofs: schools, clubs, aged care, medical centres, cold storage, workshops, factories and farm sheds. If your power bill is driven by daytime use, a 150–500kW system is now a very different proposition.
What you’ll need
- 12 months of interval data from your retailer, so the system is sized to your actual load.
- A roof and structural check for larger arrays.
- Network approval from Essential Energy – allow several weeks for larger connections.
- An SAA-accredited installer. Only installers accredited through Solar Accreditation Australia can create the certificates.
How MBR can help
MBR Electrical has two SAA-accredited solar technicians and a commercial electrical team that has delivered solar on clubs, childcare centres, council facilities and aged care – including a 160kW system at Emmaus Nursing Home in Port Macquarie. We handle the design, network application, installation and switchboard work in-house.
Talk to our solar team about your site →
The scheme expansion is subject to final regulations. Certificate values change with the market – we’ll confirm the current value in your quote.
