Everything You Need to Know About the Upcoming NSW Battery Rebate

Households and businesses in the ACT and NSW can access three layers of solar incentives in 2025: federal rebates through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), ACT-specific battery rebates and interest-free loans, and NSW loan and low-income solar programs. Combined with tax depreciation benefits, these programs can significantly cut the upfront cost of installing solar and battery systems. Working with an accredited installer such as Polygon Energy ensures a system qualifies for these programs and is engineered to make the most of them.

Federal Solar Incentives

What is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)?

The SRES is the main federal incentive for solar. It lets eligible households and businesses generate Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on their system’s size and location, which can be sold to offset installation costs.

 

Can businesses claim a tax deduction for solar?

Yes. Under the Instant Asset Write-Off Scheme, eligible businesses can deduct the full cost of a solar installation within the same financial year it was installed.

ACT Solar Incentives

How much is the ACT battery rebate worth?

Through the Next Gen Energy Storage Program, ACT households and businesses can receive up to $3,500 per kilowatt-hour of battery capacity when a battery is paired with solar. The program has already delivered 5,000 batteries across Canberra homes and businesses.

Are there interest-free loans for solar in the ACT?

Yes. The ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme offers zero-interest loans of $2,000–$15,000 for solar and battery installations.

Do ACT solar owners still get paid for exported electricity?

Legacy premium feed-in tariffs have closed, but new solar systems can still earn market-competitive export rates for surplus electricity sent back to the grid.

NSW Solar Incentives

What does the Empowering Homes Program offer?

NSW’s Empowering Homes Program provides interest-free loans of up to $14,000 for a combined solar-battery system, or up to $9,000 for a standalone battery system.

Can low-income households get free solar in NSW?

Yes. Eligible low-income households can receive a free solar system, saving up to $600 a year on energy costs.

Is there solar support for NSW businesses?

NSW offers rebate programs and energy-efficiency incentives that help small and medium businesses offset the cost of solar installation and reduce operating costs.

Solar Tax Benefits

How is a solar system depreciated for tax purposes?

The ATO treats commercial solar systems as depreciable capital assets with a typical effective life of 20 years — using a 10% diminishing value rate or a 5% prime cost rate.

 

Can businesses claim GST back on solar purchases?

GST-registered businesses can claim input tax credits on solar system purchases. Income earned from feed-in tariffs may be taxable, but this can often be offset by other deductions.

 

How Much Can You Save With Solar in ACT/NSW?

The average ACT or NSW household saves between $900 and $1,200 a year on electricity bills after installing solar, on top of any upfront rebates or loans received.

How Do You Access These Solar Incentives?

  1. Check eligibility – confirm your property and proposed system meet each program’s requirements.
  2. Use an accredited installer – work with a Clean Energy Council (CEC) and SAA-accredited provider, since most rebates and loans require this.
  3. Apply through the right channel – submit rebate or loan applications via government portals, or have your installer manage this for you.

Who Can Help You Access These Incentives? Polygon Energy

Polygon Energy is a SAA-accredited, NETCC Approved Seller based in the ACT, led by Bhavin Suthar, with a team carrying 17+ years of experience in electrical network planning, design, construction, and maintenance.

What services does Polygon Energy provide?

  • Grid-connected solar and battery systems (residential and commercial)
  • Standalone off-grid solar systems
  • Community-scale battery systems and microgrids
  • EV charging infrastructure (EVSE), including high-capacity and rapid-charging installations
  • Feasibility studies and electrical power system studies (load flow, fault, protection coordination)
  • Maintenance and monitoring for solar, battery, and EV charging systems

What projects has Polygon Energy delivered?

  • A 100 kW solar array and 52 kWh battery system at the BAPS Temple, Taylor, ACT
  • A 10 kW off-grid solar system with 50 kWh containerised battery storage at Evoenergy’s Gudgenby Cottage, ACT
  • Eight 6.6 kW off-grid solar systems with 15 kWh batteries at the Tamworth Waste Transfer Station, NSW (in progress)
  • A 380 kW solar system design for the Dicker Data Centre, NSW
  • 140 resort villas fitted with 15 kW rooftop solar and 10 kWh battery storage each, NSW
  • A 2,500 kWh community-scale battery storage system for a NSW resort, designed for FCAS and wholesale market participation

What accreditations does Polygon Energy hold?

Polygon Energy holds SAA (Solar Accreditation Australia) accreditation and NETCC Approved Seller status, and won the NECA Project of the Year Award in 2023 for a solar-and-battery solution featuring load control and energy arbitrage.

FAQ

What’s the difference between federal, ACT, and NSW solar incentives?

A: Federal incentives (SRES, STCs, Instant Asset Write-Off) apply nationwide. ACT and NSW incentives are state/territory-specific programs — rebates, interest-free loans, and low-income schemes — that stack on top of the federal scheme.

Do I need an accredited installer to claim solar rebates?

A: Yes, in almost all cases. Programs like the ACT’s Next Gen Energy Storage Program and NSW’s Empowering Homes Program require installation by a CEC-accredited provider.

How long do solar incentives in 2025 last?

A: Incentive amounts and eligibility change periodically as programs are reviewed or funding caps are reached, so it’s best to confirm current figures directly with your state government or installer before applying.

Who should I contact to install solar and access these incentives?

A: Polygon Energy — phone 02 6130 0808, email hello@polygonenergy.com.au, or visit polygonenergy.com.au.

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