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The federal and WA incentives that bring down what solar and a battery actually cost you, and how they stack
Last reviewed: 2026-08-28 · 15 min read
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
Federal incentive reducing upfront cost by roughly $1,710–$3,450 for typical residential systems (5-year deeming)
WA State Battery Rebate
Up to $1,300 for battery storage systems ($130 per kWh, capped at 10kWh) for eligible Synergy customers
Federal Battery Rebate
~$2,584 off a 10kWh battery via the Cheaper Home Batteries Program (STC-based, capacity-tapered)
STCs are a federal government incentive designed to encourage the installation of small-scale renewable energy systems. When you install a solar system, you create STCs based on the amount of renewable energy your system is deemed to generate over the remaining years of the scheme — a deeming period that steps down by one year each year until the scheme closes in 2030 (a solar system installed in 2026 is deemed over 5 years).
The number of STCs you receive depends on three key factors:
6.6kW system in Perth (Zone 3):
• System size: 6.6kW × 1.382 (Zone 3 rating) = 9.12 kW adjusted
• Deeming period: 5 years (2026 installation)
• STCs created: 9.12 × 5 = 45 STCs (rounded down)
• STC value: 45 × $38 = $1,710 discount, valuing each certificate at the installer's net rate
This $1,710 is typically deducted from your upfront cost by the installer
The WA Government provides a rebate of $130 per kWh of battery capacity, up to a maximum of $1,300 (10kWh cap). Synergy SWIS customers only.
Eligibility:
The Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program discounts battery storage through Small-scale Technology Certificates — roughly $258 per kWh of usable capacity (e.g. ~$2,584 off a 10kWh battery, valued at the installer's net certificate rate). It is not income tested.
Eligibility:
The deeming period reduces by one year annually until the scheme ends in 2030. Installing sooner means more STCs and a larger discount. A solar system installed in 2026 is deemed over 5 years, and every year you wait takes another year off that.
Most installers offer an "upfront discount" by purchasing your STCs at the point of sale. This means you assign your STCs to the installer in exchange for an immediate price reduction. The alternative is to create and sell the STCs yourself, which takes more time and effort.
In Western Australia, you can potentially combine multiple incentives:
Combined, that's around $5,594 off a typical solar-plus-battery install. Both certificate-based figures are priced at the installer's net rate, the discount you actually see on a quote, rather than the certificate spot price.
Get matched with local WA installers, no obligation.
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