If you're considering solar in New South Wales, one of the first questions you likely have is: "What government rebates are available?" The good news is that the federal STC rebate is still going strong in 2026, saving homeowners thousands of dollars upfront.
What is the STC Rebate?
The Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme is a federal government incentive. It is not technically a "rebate" that you claim back later—instead, it is an upfront point-of-sale discount applied by your installer.
When you buy a solar system, you generate a number of certificates based on:
- The size of your system (in kW)
- The amount of sun your location gets (Zone rating)
- The number of years remaining until 2030 (when the scheme ends)
💡 Quick Example
For a typical 6.6kW system in Sydney (Zone 3), the rebate value is approximately $2,600 - $3,000 off the total price.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the rebate, you must:
- Install an eligible system (panels and inverter must be on the CEC approved list).
- Use a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installer.
- Be the owner of the system (or have the rights to it).
- Install a system less than 100kW in size.
Does the Rebate Reduce Every Year?
Yes. The scheme is designed to phase out by 2030. Every year on January 1st, the amount of subsidy drops by roughly 1/15th. This means installing in 2026 gives you a bigger discount than waiting until 2027.
How to Claim
The process is incredibly simple because you don't actually do the paperwork. Your installer will:
- Calculate the STC value.
- Deduct it from your quote (showing you the "Net Price").
- Ask you to sign a form assigning the STCs to them after installation.
Next Steps
Ready to see how much you could save? Use our calculator to estimate your ROI, or request a quote to get exact figures for your roof.