STCs, VEECs, LGCs, the NSW PDRS and the federal battery discount explained. Calculate what a commercial solar and battery system is worth in upfront rebates and ongoing revenue.
Australian businesses can access federal and state incentives that significantly reduce the cost of solar and storage. Here is how each one works, and which calculator prices it.
Federal upfront discount for solar up to 1 MW of site capacity for systems installed from 1 October 2026 (100 kW before). Available nationwide, worth roughly $270,000 on a 1 MW system at current certificate prices, depending on location.
Open the calculatorVictorian state incentive for commercial solar of 30–200 kW. Stacks on top of the federal certificates, adding up to about $40,000 in additional value at current certificate prices.
Open the calculatorAnnual recurring revenue for solar capacity above 1 MW (100 kW for installs before 1 October 2026): one certificate per megawatt-hour actually generated, every year to 2030.
Open the calculatorNSW Peak Reduction Certificates for a battery that shifts load out of the evening peak, deemed upfront over the equipment lifetime and delivered as an install discount. Stacks with the solar certificates.
Open the calculatorFederal battery STCs for home and small-business batteries up to 100 kWh, weighted on the first 50 kWh of usable capacity. Separate from the solar certificates, so the two stack.
Open the calculatorPick your state and see how the incentive value changes with system size. Uses the live certificate prices Amperage quotes with.
Drag the slider to see how incentives scale with system size.
STC zone multipliers and available schemes vary by state. Select yours for a detailed breakdown.
Guides and analysis on commercial solar.
A single 40-degree week can set a commercial demand charge for the month, and for the next twelve under a ratchet. Worked warehouse example with battery arithmetic and a summer readiness checklist to send customers now.
A section-by-section walkthrough of what a commercial solar proposal needs to include to actually get approved: the bill decomposed, the system, financial assumptions listed explicitly, and a payback sensitivity table.
Most quoting software is built to design a roof. Commercial work is won on the bill. Here is what to evaluate, and the seven-step test that settles it.
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) are a federal incentive that provides an upfront discount on solar up to 1 MW of site capacity for systems installed from 1 October 2026 (100 kW before). The number of STCs depends on your location (STC zone), system size, and the deeming period: the years remaining until 2030, or a fixed five years for a 100 kW to 1 MW system installed from 1 October 2026. Your solar company claims the STCs and passes the value to you as a point-of-sale discount. Above 1 MW of site capacity, the first 1 MW earns STCs and the balance earns LGCs.
Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) are a state-based incentive available only in Victoria for commercial solar systems between 30 kW and 200 kW. They are created under the Victorian Energy Upgrades program (Activity 47A for systems up to 100 kW, Activity 47B for 100-200 kW) and stack on top of the federal certificates: STCs up to 1 MW of site capacity for installs from 1 October 2026 (100 kW before), LGCs above it.
Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) provide annual revenue on solar capacity above 1 MW (above 100 kW for systems installed before 1 October 2026). Unlike STCs which are a one-time upfront discount, LGCs generate ongoing income based on the electricity your system produces each year. One LGC is created per megawatt-hour of generation.
Yes, for eligible Victorian commercial systems. VEU Activity 47 allows VEECs to be created for a 30-200 kW solar system as well as federal STCs or LGCs on the same install. Systems under 30 kW fall outside Activity 47 and claim STCs only.
Two, and they stack with the solar certificates because they reward different equipment. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program pays battery STCs on the usable capacity of a home or small-business battery up to 100 kWh, weighted on the first 50 kWh and stepping down every six months to 2030. In NSW the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) adds Peak Reduction Certificates for an apartment or business battery that shifts load out of the evening peak (the home activity, BESS1, is suspended), deemed upfront over the equipment lifetime. Amperage prices both alongside the solar certificates.
Upload your electricity bill and get a personalised commercial solar analysis with accurate incentive calculations for your location.
Get a full solar estimate