Solar Battery Rebate QLD: What’s Changing With the Cheaper Home Battery Program?
2026 UPDATE:
The Federal Government has confirmed major changes to the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, and if you’re considering a home battery — whether to pair with existing solar panels or to install a new system — these changes will directly affect how much rebate you can receive.
Changes to the Existing Battery Rebate from 1st of May:
- Battery rebates will decrease every six months instead of once every year
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A new mechanism called the STC Factor is being introduced, which dramatically reduces how much of a rebate larger battery systems can access.
Solar Battery Rebate Calculator
Breakdown of the Battery Rebate Changes
1. The Solar Battery Rebate QLD will keep dropping every six months
The original solar battery decline schedule had higher STC rate’s per kWh which decreased once a year.
The new changes to the schedule see steeper decreases in the STC rate’s per kWh and will now occur every 6 months instead of every year.
This change now puts more time pressure on homeowners who are interested in getting a home battery with the assistance of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
The available rebate value is now declining more rapidly. For example: the STC’s per kWh rate for 2030 was initially meant to be 4.7 STC’s per kWh as the lowest accessible rate, but under the new program, the STC’s for the July to December period are reduced to a rate of 2.1 STC’s per kWh.
That’s a loss of $2,168 on a 20kWh solar battery for those who wait to install.
2. The STC Factor Reduces The Discount On Larger Batteries
This new feature of the battery rebate works as a tiered rebate system that reduces the amount of rebate (discount) for larger systems.
From 1 May 2026:
- 1–14kWh batteries → 100% of rebate eligibility
- 14–28kWh batteries → 60% of rebate eligibility
- 28–50kWh batteries → just 15% of rebate eligibility
Batteries under the original rebate structure were discounted on average at around 30% off the total battery price.
With the STC Factor, batteries between 1-14kWh still receive the full rebate, but for every kWh over 14kWh up to 28kWh the discount will only be applied to 60% of the STC rate. The discount drops heavily again for every kWh over 28kWh up to 50kWh, with the percentage of the STC rate available just 15%.
Why the QLD Solar Battery Rebate 2025 is changing
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program was introduced to make home energy storage more affordable by subsidising a portion of battery costs for homeowners.
However the program was a lot more popular than originally estimated, with over 185,000 batteries installed across Australia within the first six months. Calculations from the Governments predicted that the allocated budget would run out by June of 2026 instead of the planned for 2030 end date.
Another key factor prompting the change of the rebate structure was the size of batteries people were installing. Before the introduction of the battery rebate, the average size of a residential solar battery was 10-12kWh, whereas by the end of 2025 the average battery size was 23.12kWh, nearly doubling the size of batteries.
The STC Factor will therefore lower the rebate (discount) on batteries over 14kWh by 40% and then again on batteries over 28kWh by 85% to prevent the program funding running out ahead of schedule.
Key Points To Consider
- If you install a solar battery before the 1st of May you will still receive the original 100% rebate at the higher rate of 8.4 STC’s per kWh.
- If you install a solar battery after the 1st of May, batteries over 14kWh will qualify for less of a rebate with the STC limiting Factor and the reduced STC rate of 6.8 per kWh and will continue to drop every 6 months after that.
- Use the below Rebate calculator to see what discount you can receive on different size solar batteries in different 6 monthly time periods of the rebate decline schedule.
ORIGINAL GUIDE
Key Features of the Solar Battery Rebate QLD July 2025 – April 2026
- Timing: Installations must be certified (Certificate of Electrical Compliance) on or after July 1, 2025.
- Rebate Amount: Estimated $352 per usable kilowatt-hour (kWh) of battery capacity, translating to approximately $7,000 off a popular 20 kWh battery system.
- Eligibility: Open to homeowners, small businesses, and community facilities with existing or new rooftop solar installations.
- Battery Size: Systems between 5 kWh and 100 kWh are eligible, with the rebate applying to the first 50 kWh of usable capacity.
Starting July 1, 2025, the Solar Battery Rebate QLD also known as the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program will make solar battery systems more affordable than ever. With the solar battery rebate covering up to 30% of costs, this initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of battery storage across the nation, including Queensland.
This is amazing news for North Queensland residents as solar batteries serve not only as a means to store and use electricity for nighttime usage but also as a security means during blackout periods caused by natural weather events that disrupt power from the grid such as flooding, cyclones and high winds and rain. In a recent survey conducted by Green Energy Technologies, 61% of North Queensland homeowners prioritised Blackout Protection as a primary energy goal.
So what is the solar battery rebate QLD?
This $2.3 billion federal initiative offers substantial rebates for installing home battery systems. The program is an expansion of the existing Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and is designed to support over one million new battery installations by 2030 across the country.
The rebate will function much in the same way as the existing Solar Rebate scheme, with the discount calculated by the kWh capacity (the amount of energy that the battery can hold). And just as the SRES rebate declines each year, this solar battery rebate will also decline until it’s completion in 2030, meaning now is the best time for people looking for batteries to get the maximum discount from the rebate.
Financial Impact for Queenslanders
For residents in Queensland, the solar battery rebate qld can significantly reduce the upfront cost of battery installations. For example, a 16 kWh battery system could receive a rebate of approximately $5,600, making energy storage more accessible and affordable.
While there may still be upfront costs to purchasing batteries, a popular strategy is to use a Green Loan in order to finance the solar battery. Trusted Solar Installers like Green Energy Technologies partner with Green Loan companies to make solar more affordable for Queenslanders. With the right size solar system and battery, loan repayments should work out cheaper than your current electricity bill, until the loan is paid off and the full savings benefits can be enjoyed.
While the estimated savings a solar battery will provide depends on many factors like your solar system size, how much energy is consumed in the property and the location of your solar system, an average solar battery of 8.5kWh can save up to 75-100% on your energy bills, saving between $1,322 – $2,252 a year.
How much is the Solar Battery Rebate?
The estimated solar battery rebate is calculated at $352 per usable kilowatt-hour (kWh) of battery capacity, translating to approximately $7,000 off a popular 20 kWh battery system.
An estimate for a smaller 10kWh battery would be a rebate amount of $3,300. However the rebate for all batteries will start to decrease annually until it ends in 2030.
How much are Solar Batteries normally?
Various factors such as brands, models and sizes of batteries all impact the costing of solar batteries. Ensuring the battery will be compatible with your existing solar system is another consideration your solar installer will have to consider. Speaking with an experienced solar installer will give you the best guide on choosing a solar battery and their attached prices and available rebates.
Who is Eligible for Solar Rebate QLD
The Solar Battery Rebate QLD is available for:
- Homeowners – home battery solar systems
- Small businesses
- Community buildings eg libraries, sports facilities etc
Each property is eligible for ONE rebate alone, and must meet some criteria:
- Be connected to a new or existing solar system
- Have a capacity between 5-100kWh
- Include a battery and inverter that is on the approved product list provided by the Clean Energy Council (CEC)
- The system MUST be installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) installer and company like Green Energy Technologies
- Installations must be certified (Certificate of Electrical Compliance) on or after July 1, 2025
How to Prepare
- Assess Your Energy Needs: Determine your household’s energy consumption to select an appropriately sized battery system. Consult with an experienced Solar Expert for an accurate analysis of your energy consumption and for recommendations on the appropriate size battery for your needs.
- Book in your battery installation: Once you’re confident with the battery for your property, book in your installation. Note: while installations can occur before July 1, 2025, the system must not be switched on until after this date to qualify for the rebate. Your solar battery installer will handle all rebate paperwork to lodge your STC’s to get you the available rebate.
Conclusion: Embrace the Future of Energy
The Solar Battery Rebate QLD presents an excellent opportunity for Queensland homeowners and business owners to invest in energy independence and sustainability. By taking advantage of this rebate, you can reduce your electricity bills and safeguard your property from grid disruptions and changing solar feed-in tariffs.
