Australia expands rooftop solar rebate to 1 MW for businesses and farms

The Australian federal government announced an expansion of the Small‑scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), raising the eligible rooftop solar capacity from 100 kW to 1 MW. Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the change will provide roughly a 20 % discount on installation costs for medium‑sized solar systems on businesses, farms, schools, hospitals and other community facilities.

Bowen described the move as addressing the “missing middle” – the large amount of unused roof space on factories, warehouses, agricultural sheds and other industrial premises that could generate up to 80 GW of additional solar power. He also called on the Australian Energy Market Commission to speed up network‑provider approvals for such projects.

The scheme works through tradeable certificates, is expected to be budget‑neutral and aims to lower power bills, boost productivity, create jobs and accelerate Australia’s transition to a renewable‑energy‑dominant grid. The expansion is slated to begin on 1 October. The Climate Council’s CEO Amanda McKenzie welcomed the policy, noting Australia’s strong rooftop‑solar adoption and the need to extend benefits to larger energy users.