The solar rebate drops on 1 January 2027. Install by 31 December to lock in 2026 rates.
Solar rebate guide
Solar Panel Rebate Drops 1 Jan 2027: STCs Explained
What the solar rebate is worth on the Sunshine Coast, how much it falls, and how to lock in 2026 rates. If you’ve been thinking about solar, the next few weeks matter. Every Sunshine Coast home that gets solar installed before 31 December 2026 claims the current 5-year rebate. Wait until January and the same system gets a smaller discount, with no change in the panels, the roof or the price of power.
Quick answer
Is the solar rebate ending in 2027?
Short answer: no, but it gets smaller. The federal solar rebate, paid through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), drops on 1 January 2027, when the deeming period falls from 5 years to 4. That cuts the solar panel rebate by about 20%.
- 6.6kW system on the Sunshine Coast: about $1,710 in 2026, falling to about $1,370 in 2027
- Battery rebate: drops on 1 January 2027 and again on 1 July 2027
- What counts: the date your system is installed, not the date you sign or pay a deposit
- When it ends: the rebate steps down every year until the scheme closes at the end of 2030
Estimates based on Zone 3 (Sunshine Coast) and an assumed STC price of $38. The STC price changes daily.
The solar rebate isn’t disappearing overnight, but every year you wait, it shrinks. The biggest single drop most Sunshine Coast homes will notice is on 1 January 2027, because it’s the first step down after years of a steady 5-year deeming period.
Below, we explain how STCs work, how much you can save at each system size, what’s happening to the battery rebate, and how to secure the 2026 rate.
STCs explained
What are STCs? The solar rebate in plain English
The “solar rebate” in Australia isn’t a cheque from the government. It comes from the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), run by the Clean Energy Regulator. When you install solar panels or a home battery, your system creates Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). Energy retailers are required by law to buy these certificates, so they have a cash value, usually around $37 to $40 each.
How STCs are calculated for solar panels
System size (kW) × zone rating × deeming period = STCs (rounded down)
- Zone rating: how much sun your postcode gets. The Sunshine Coast is in Zone 3, with a rating of 1.382
- Deeming period: the number of years of clean energy you’re credited for up front. It’s 5 years in 2026 and drops to 4 years on 1 January 2027
Worked example
A 6.6kW system installed in Maroochydore in 2026:
6.6 × 1.382 × 5 = 45 STCs
At $38 each, that’s about $1,710 off your quote.
2026 vs 2027
How much is the solar rebate on the Sunshine Coast?
Zone 3 (Sunshine Coast, North Brisbane and Gympie), rating 1.382, STC price assumed at $38. Your quote shows the exact figure on the day.
Larger systems lose more, which is why homes planning a solar and battery system, an EV charger or full electrification have the most to gain by installing in 2026.
Battery rebate
The battery rebate drops too, twice in 2027
Home batteries also earn STCs under the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Since 1 May 2026, the rebate is calculated on usable capacity in three tiers, and the STC factor steps down every January and July until 2030.
- First 14 kWh: full rebate
- 14 to 28 kWh: 60% of the rebate
- 28 to 50 kWh: 15% of the rebate
| Usable capacity | May–Dec 2026 | Jan–Jun 2027 | Jul–Dec 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| STC factor per kWh | 6.8 | 5.7 | 5.2 |
| 10 kWh battery | about $2,580 | about $2,170 | about $1,980 |
| 16 kWh battery | about $3,910 | about $3,270 | about $3,000 |
Estimates at an assumed STC price of $38.
Put solar and a battery together and a typical Sunshine Coast home can lose $750 to $1,200 in combined rebates by installing in January instead of December. We install Fronius, BYD and Sungrow batteries, and every quote includes the battery STCs.
Beat the deadline
How to lock in the 2026 solar rebate
The rebate is set by your installation date. Signing a contract or paying a deposit in December doesn’t lock in the 2026 rate. Your system has to be on the roof and installed by 31 December 2026.
Your timeline
- Now to mid-November: Get your custom design and quote. We review your bills, roof and future plans, then show you the STC discount in writing
- Late November: Confirm your system and lock in an installation date. Energex approval for most standard homes is handled by us
- December: Installation, usually completed in a single day by our in-house electricians
Book early. Every installer in Australia faces the same deadline, and December also brings the Christmas shutdown and storm season. The closer it gets to Christmas, the fewer installation days are left.
Should I just wait for prices to drop?
Waiting usually costs more. The rebate falls every January until 2030, and electricity prices keep rising. A system that’s saving you money from December pays you back for months that a January system can’t.
2026 to 2030
Solar rebate countdown
| Installed in | Deeming years | Rebate vs today |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 100% |
| 2027 | 4 | 80% |
| 2028 | 3 | 60% |
| 2029 | 2 | 40% |
| 2030 | 1 | 20% |
After 2030, the scheme ends and there are no more STCs for new systems.
The SolarWide Difference
Beat the deadline with a local installer
Every rebate deadline brings a rush of pop-up solar sellers promising cheap systems and fast installs. Some of them won’t be around when you need warranty support. SolarWide has been installing on the Sunshine Coast since 2011, and we’ll be here long after 2030.
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- Prices are based on a 2026 installation and are after STC’s have been assigned to SolarWide Pty Ltd and are based on a single-storey roof within 100km of our Warana office. Extra costs may apply for meter box upgrades, roof type, and installations over 3 or more roof sections. A site inspection is required to confirm the final pricing.
- Prices are correct as of 01.08.2026
- Prices are subject to change at the discretion of SolarWide.
- Based on a single-phase inverter.
- All finance pricing is based on a 7-year Plenti Green Loan and is subject to approval. Contact us for cash pricing.
FAQs
Your solar rebate questions, answered
Is the solar rebate ending in 2027?
No. The federal solar rebate continues in 2027, but it’s smaller. On 1 January 2027, the deeming period drops from 5 years to 4, cutting the rebate by about 20%. It keeps falling each January until the scheme ends at the end of 2030.
How much is the solar rebate in Queensland in 2026?
For Sunshine Coast and South East Queensland homes (Zone 3), a 6.6kW system earns about 45 STCs, worth roughly $1,710. A 10kW system earns about 69 STCs, roughly $2,620. The exact dollar amount depends on the STC price on the day of your quote.
What are STCs?
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) are created when you install an eligible solar or battery system under the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. Each certificate represents clean energy your system is expected to produce. Energy retailers must buy them, which gives them a cash value that becomes your rebate.
How do I claim the solar rebate?
You don’t need to do anything. You assign your STCs to SolarWide, and we take their value off your quote as an upfront discount. We handle all the paperwork with the Clean Energy Regulator.
Does signing a contract before 31 December lock in the 2026 rebate?
No. The rebate is based on your system’s installation date, not when you sign or pay a deposit. To get the 2026 rate, your system needs to be installed by 31 December 2026, so book early to secure an installation date.
How much does the solar rebate drop in 2027?
About 20%. On the Sunshine Coast, a 6.6kW system loses about $340, a 10kW system about $530 and a 13kW system about $680, based on an STC price of $38.
Is the battery rebate also dropping in 2027?
Yes, twice. Under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, the STC factor falls from 6.8 per kWh to 5.7 on 1 January 2027, then to 5.2 on 1 July 2027. A 10 kWh battery drops from about $2,580 to about $2,170 in January.
Why does the STC rebate change from day to day?
The number of STCs your system creates is fixed by its size, location and installation year, but the price of each certificate moves with the market, usually between about $37 and $40. That’s why rebate amounts are shown as estimates until your quote is issued.
Can I get the solar rebate if I already have solar?
Yes, if you’re adding new panels or replacing a system, the new panels are eligible for STCs, as long as they haven’t previously claimed them. Adding a battery to existing solar is also eligible for the battery rebate.
What happens to the solar rebate after 2030?
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme is legislated to end in 2030. Systems installed in 2030 receive a 1-year deeming period, the smallest rebate. After that, no STCs will be available for new solar systems unless the government changes the scheme.
