Western Australia Solar Rebates & Incentives Guide for 2026

In 2025, Western Australia solar rebates will be more lucrative than ever, offering homeowners a unique opportunity to reduce energy costs significantly. For the first time, you can now stack incentives by combining the new Federal Battery Rebate with WA’s Residential Battery Scheme and existing Solar STCs, saving thousands on upfront installation. This guide breaks down exactly how to claim WA Solar Rebates combined grants, maximise your returns under the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS), and access interest-free solar loans to future-proof your home for less.

We at Aussie Solar Tech have thoroughly reviewed the figures for 2026 and are ready to advise you on the exact amounts you can claim.

Available WA Solar Rebates & Incentives

Here’s an overview of the main rebates, tariffs and incentives available in 2025 for Western Australians.

Program / Incentive	Type	Details / Eligibility	Maximum Amount / Benefit
Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)	Federal solar rebate (solar panels / PV systems)	Applies to eligible small-scale solar installations (e.g., rooftop solar systems <100 kW). The installer redeems Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), and the benefit is applied as a discount on installation costs.	Depends on system size and location; e.g., a 6.6 kW system in Perth may receive a discount of approximately $2,200–2,400.
Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS)	Feed-in tariff scheme	For households exporting surplus solar energy (panels or batteries) to the grid. Eligible export energy earns credits.	Export credits vary by time and location — e.g. typical off‑peak export credits ~2–3 cents/kWh.
WA Residential Battery Scheme (from 1 July 2025)	State rebate + interest‑free loan for battery storage	Available to households in WA with eligible battery systems; battery must be new, approved, installed by an accredited vendor, and connected to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).	Battery rebate: up to $1,300 (if you are a customer of Synergy — rebate rate $130/kWh for first 10 kWh), or up to $3,800 (if you are a customer of Horizon Power — rebate rate $380/kWh for first 10 kWh). Interest-free loan: up to A$10,000 for eligible households (income under A$210,000) to help finance battery (or battery + hybrid inverter / solar bundle) installation.
Combined Federal + State Battery Incentive	Battery storage discount (stackable)	Applicants may combine the state rebate under the WA scheme with the federal battery rebate (under the national Cheaper Home Batteries Program).	Total possible subsidy up to ~$5,000 for Synergy customers, or up to ~$7,500 for Horizon Power customers, for a 10 kWh battery unit.

Note: The Federal Solar Rebate (SRES) is gradually reducing each year until it phases out in 2030. Installing sooner locks in a higher rebate before the next drop on 1 January 2027.

Example Savings — 6.6 kW Solar System in WA

Item	Estimated Value	Notes
Gross System Cost	~$7,500 – $8,500	Market price for quality Tier-1 hardware before any rebates.
Federal Rebate (STCs/SRES)	-$2,200–2,400	Point-of-sale discount covering ~25–28% of the system cost
Net Out-of-Pocket Cost	$5,000 – $6,000	What you actually pay to the installer.
Annual Bill Savings	$1,400 – $1,800 / year	Depends on high self-consumption (using power while the sun shines).
Payback Period	3 – 4 Years	Time until the system has paid for itself in savings.
Return on Investment (ROI)	~25% – 30%	Tax-free return on your money (far better than a bank savings account).

Example Savings: Solar + Battery Rebate Stacking (WA 2025)

The following table shows how to combine the Federal Battery Rebate (effective July 2025) with the WA State Rebate to reduce the cost of a home battery significantly.

• Scenario: Adding a 10kWh Battery to a home in the Perth Metro area (Synergy Network).
• Assumed Battery Market Price: ~$11,500 (Installed, pre-rebate)

Line Item	Amount	Notes
Retail Price (10kWh Battery)	$11,500	Typical cost for a quality brand (e.g., Sungrow, BYD, Tesla).
Less: Federal Rebate	-$3,440	Calculated at ~$344 per kWh (based on 2025 STC rates).
Less: WA State Rebate	-$1,300	$130 per kWh (Synergy customers). Horizon customers get -$3,800.
Net “Cash” Price	$6,760	The price you actually owe.
Interest-Free Loan	-$6,760	You can apply for the WA State interest-free loan to cover this full amount.
Upfront Cost to You	$0	$0 upfront if approved for the loan. Repayments would be ~$56/month (over 10 years).

Combined Solar + Battery System (New Install)

If you are buying a complete system (6.6kW Panels + 10kWh Battery) at the same time, the rebates stack even further.

Component	Est. Retail Price	Rebates Applied	Net Cost
6.6kW Solar Panels	~$8,000	-$2,100 (Solar STC Rebate)	$5,900
10kWh Battery	~$11,500	-$4,740 (Fed + State Rebates)	$6,760
Total System Cost	~$19,500	-$6,840 (Total Savings)	~$12,660

Key Takeaway: You could effectively get a complete Solar + Battery system for the price of just a battery a few years ago.

WA Residential Battery Rebate & Loan Scheme (From 1 July 2025)

“The WA Residential Battery Scheme is the primary state-based incentive for 2026. As of 1 July 2025, it allows eligible households to claim a direct cash rebate and apply for an interest-free loan to cover the remaining battery cost.

Importantly, this rebate can be stacked with the Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, enabling you to claim two separate discounts on the same battery — potentially saving up to $7,500 in total.”

1. The Two Parts of the WA Scheme

This scheme is split into two components: a Rebate (free money) and a Loan (interest-free money). You can apply for one or both.

Part A: The Cash Rebate

This is a direct deduction from the cost of your battery, paid to your installer, to reduce your invoice. The amount depends on your electricity provider.

Provider	Rebate Rate	Max Rebate (Cap)	Target Audience
Synergy	$130 per kWh	$1,300 (for 10kWh+)	Perth & South West WA
Horizon Power	$380 per kWh	$3,800 (for 10kWh+)	Regional & Remote WA

Requirement: To get this rebate, you must connect your battery to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) for a minimum of 2 years.

Part B: The Interest-Free Loan

After the Federal and State rebates are deducted, you can use this loan to pay the remaining “gap”, so you have $0 upfront cost.

• Loan Amount: Between $2,001 and $10,000.
• Interest Rate: 0% (Interest-free).
• Repayment Term: Up to 10 years (mostly roughly $50–$80/month depending on amount).
• Eligibility: Household combined income must be less than $210,000 per year.

2. How to “Stack” with the Federal Program

The biggest change in July 2025 is the ability to combine this WA scheme with the Federal “Cheaper Home Batteries” discount.

Example Scenario: 10kWh Battery in Perth (Synergy Network)

Step	Item	Amount
1.	Retail Price of Battery	~$11,500
2.	Less: Federal Battery Rebate (~30%)	-$3,440
3.	Less: WA State Rebate ($130/kWh)	-$1,300
4.	Net Cost to You	$6,760
5.	Pay with an Interest-Free Loan	-$6,760
Total	Upfront Cash Required	$0

Result: You get a $11,500 battery installed for $0 upfront, and your loan repayments (approx. $56/month) are likely lower than the savings the battery generates on your electricity bill.

3. Eligibility Checklist

To qualify for the WA Residential Battery Scheme, you must meet these criteria:

• System Size: Battery must have a usable capacity of at least 5kWh.
• VPP Connection: You must join an approved VPP (e.g., Synergy Battery Rewards, Horizon Community Wave, or third-party VPPs like Plico).
• Installer: Installation must be done by an accredited “approved vendor.”
• Income (Loan Only): To get the interest-free loan, your household income must be under $210k. (The rebate itself is not means-tested).
• Timing: System must be installed on or after 1 July 2025.

4. How to Apply

You do not apply for this yourself; your installer does.

1. Get Quotes: Ask for a quote that explicitly lists the “WA State Battery Rebate” and the “Federal Battery Discount” as separate line items.
2. Select Loan: Tell the installer you want to apply for the WA Interest-Free Battery Loan. They will send you an email link from the loan provider (usually Plenti) to complete a credit check.
3. Install & Connect: Once the loan is approved, the system is installed and connected. The installer handles the VPP connection.

Federal Solar Rebate: Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)

The Federal Solar Rebate, or Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), reduces the upfront cost of solar panel installation and home batteries from July 2025. The program issues Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on system size and location. Rather than applying for it later, your accredited installer deducts the rebate at the point of sale, reducing your invoice immediately. For a standard 6.6 kW system, this results in a reduction of about $2,200–$2,400.

Eligibility Criteria:

• System Size: Your solar system must be under 100kW (commercial or residential).
• Approved Products: Panels and inverters must be on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved list.
• Accredited Installer: Installation must be carried out by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) certified professional.
• Timing: The system must be new; you cannot claim STCs on second-hand equipment or replacement panels.

How to Apply: Usually, you don’t “apply” for this yourself. Instead, you complete a benefit assignment form provided by your installer on the day of installation. Still, you can access the government regulator mentioned below to get the official details or to check the accreditation of an installer:

• Official Information & Regulator: Clean Energy Regulator (SRES)
• Find an Accredited Installer: Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA)

Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS)— Feed-in Tariffs

The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) is Western Australia’s solar feed-in tariff system. Unlike older schemes that paid a flat rate for exported power, DEBS uses a “time-of-export” structure. This is designed to encourage households to consume their own solar power during the day (when the grid is flooded with cheap energy) and export it during the evening peak (when the grid actually needs it).

Under DEBS, you are paid a premium rate for electricity sent back to the grid between 3 pm and 9 pm, and a lower rate at all other times.

Current DEBS Buyback Rates (Synergy)

Time of Export	Rate per kWh	Strategy
Peak (3 pm – 9 pm)	10 cents	Export stored battery power now to earn max credit.
Off-Peak (All other times)	2 cents	Do not export. Self-consume the power (e.g., run AC or laundry) or store it in a battery.
Note: Horizon Power rates vary by region but follow a similar peak/off-peak structure.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for DEBS, you generally must:

• Be a residential, non-profit, or educational customer.
• Have a solar inverter capacity of 5kW or less (a 6.6kW panel system with a 5kW inverter is eligible).   
• Note: If you install a battery or EV charger, there is no cap on the battery size; only the export limit applies.

How to Apply

For most homeowners, you do not need to apply manually—your solar installer applies on your behalf when they apply for grid connection approval.

However, if you are upgrading an existing system or switching from the old REBS scheme, you can apply directly:

• Synergy Customers (Perth/SWIS):
  • Apply Here: Synergy Distributed Energy Application
• Horizon Power Customers (Regional WA):
  • Apply Here: Horizon Power Solar & Battery Applications

Switch Your Thinking Program

The Switch Your Thinking program is a local government initiative in Western Australia designed to make sustainable living more affordable and accessible. A collaboration among more than 15 local councils (including the Cities of Perth, Melville, and Wanneroo), the program partners with vetted, high-quality suppliers to offer residents exclusive discounts on eco-friendly products. This includes price reductions on solar PV systems, battery storage, electric heating, and insulation. Beyond the financial savings, the program simplifies the buying process by connecting homeowners with trustworthy, council-approved installers, reducing the risk of dealing with “cowboy” operators. These discounts are applied directly by the supplier and can typically be claimed in addition to Federal and State rebates.

Eligibility Criteria

• Location: You must be a resident or business owner within one of the participating local government areas (Councils).
  • Examples of Member Councils: Armadale, Belmont, Canning, Gosnells, Kalamunda, Melville, Perth, South Perth, Stirling, Victoria Park, Vincent, Wanneroo, and Serpentine Jarrahdale.
• Supplier: You must purchase the product from an accredited Switch Your Thinking supplier listed on the Switch Your Thinking website.

How to Apply

There is no government application form. To claim the discount:

1. Visit the Rewards for Residents page on the website.
2. Find the product category (e.g., Solar & Battery) and select a supplier.
3. Contact the supplier directly for a quote and mention you are claiming the “Switch Your Thinking Reward.”

• View Discounts & Participating Councils: www.switchyourthinking.com/rewards 

Local & Council-level Incentives — City of Perth Sustainability Incentives

If you live in an apartment or strata complex within the City of Perth (CBD, Northbridge, East Perth, West Perth, Crawley), the council offers targeted grants to help overcome the difficulty of installing solar on shared buildings. Unlike standard residential rebates, these are designed specifically for Body Corporates and Strata owners.

Residential Energy Upgrade Grant

This is a matched-funding grant (the Council pays half; you pay half) designed to retrofit older apartment buildings with solar, batteries, or EV infrastructure.

• What it covers:

• • • Installation of Solar PV and Battery Storage in common areas.
    • Electrification upgrades (e.g., replacing a central gas hot water system with electric heat pumps).
    • EV Charging infrastructure.

• Grant Amounts (Matched Funding):

• • Stream A (20+ Dwellings): Up to $20,000.
  • Stream B (10+ Dwellings): Up to $10,000.
  • Stream C (<10 Dwellings): Up to $5,000.

Residential Sustainability Assessment Grant

Before installing solar, you often need an engineering or energy audit to assess feasibility. This grant covers 100% of the cost (up to $10,000) for a consultant to evaluate your building’s energy performance and create a “roadmap” for upgrades.

 

How to Apply

These grants operate on a “first-come, first-served” basis until the budget runs out for the financial year.

1. Check Eligibility: Your building must be a residential strata title within the City of Perth boundaries.
2. Get Quotes: You usually need at least one valid quote for the works (or assessment).
3. Apply Online: Submit via the SmartyGrants portal.

• Apply & Guidelines: City of Perth Sponsorship & Grants

Essential Considerations & What to Watch Out For

When considering solar and battery incentives in Western Australia, keep these key points in mind:

1. Eligibility: Ensure your system meets the specific requirements for each rebate, such as system size and installation by approved vendors.
2. Upfront Costs: While rebates reduce costs, understand your out-of-pocket expenses and financing options, such as no-interest loans.
3. System Size: Rebate amounts depend on system size; verify that your battery or solar capacity meets program limits.
4. Maintenance: Consider long-term maintenance and warranty terms, as solar and battery systems degrade over time.
5. VPP Participation: Some incentives require participation in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), which may limit how you use stored energy.
6. Export Rates: DEBS offers higher export rates during peak hours (3–9 pm), so plan your energy use accordingly.
7. Program Deadlines: Apply early, as funding for programs like the WA Residential Battery Scheme and local grants may be limited.

Make sure to review all terms to benefit from available incentives fully.

FAQs About WA Solar Rebates

1. Is there a state rebate for solar panels in WA?
   No — WA does not offer a dedicated state rebate for solar panels. Instead, you can rely on the national Small‑scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which provides upfront discounts through Small‑scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
   
2. What is the SRES rebate, and how does it work?
   Under the SRES, eligible rooftop solar systems (up to 100 kW) generate Small‑scale Technology Certificates, which installers redeem to lower the upfront cost of solar installation.
   
3. Are there rebates available for home battery storage in WA?
   Yes. The WA Residential Battery Scheme (starting from 1 July 2025) offers state rebates plus optional interest‑free loans for home battery storage.
   
4. How much rebate can I get under the WA Battery Scheme?
   For Synergy customers: up to $1,300 ($130 per usable kWh, up to 10 kWh). For Horizon Power customers: up to $3,800 ($380 per usable kWh, up to 10 kWh). When combined with the federal rebate, total savings can reach up to $5,000 (Synergy) or $7,500 (Horizon Power).
   
5. Is there a loan option to help cover the upfront cost?
   Yes — the scheme offers interest-free loans up to $10,000 to eligible households for battery (or battery + solar/inverter) installations.
   
6. What are the eligibility requirements for the battery rebate/loan?
   To be eligible, you must be a resident in WA and a customer of Synergy or Horizon Power. The battery must be new (not second-hand) and have a usable capacity of at least 5 kWh. Installation must be by an Approved vendor/installer, and participation in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) may be required.

Final Thoughts

The solar and battery rebates available in Western Australia in 2025 present a valuable opportunity for homeowners to reduce energy costs and improve sustainability. With programs like the WA Residential Battery Scheme offering up to A$3,800 for Horizon Power customers and up to A$1,300 for Synergy customers, along with federal incentives, the upfront costs of installing solar panels and batteries are significantly reduced. When combined, these incentives make solar + battery systems financially viable for many households.

However, it’s crucial to meet eligibility criteria, such as using approved installers and connecting to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), and to consider the long-term savings, as the payback period can take several years. While rebates significantly reduce costs, careful consideration of system size, usage patterns, and future energy prices is essential to maximise the benefits. Overall, 2026 offers one of the best opportunities to invest in solar energy in WA, with significant potential for savings and environmental benefits.