.svg)
Solar Rebates SA
Solar Rebates SA
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Julia PaszkaCompare Electricity & Gas Plans
Save time and effort by comparing a range of energy plans with iSelect
Long story short
South Australia has big energy goals
SA is aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2027, with rebates and incentives to help cover the up-front costs for your system.
Lower your installation costs with the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
The SRES rebate lowers the cost of solar by giving you small-scale technology certificates (STCs), which your installer can then sell for you.
Solar rebate eligibility is easy
To qualify for the SRES rebate, choose a Clean Energy Council–approved solar installer and a system under 1000 kW. No paperwork required – it’s all handled for you.
Get your money back in around five years
A 6.6 kW solar system can pay itself off in about five years, thanks to lower bills and rebates, but this might change slightly for each system.
What rebates are available for solar in SA?
When it comes to renewable energy, South Australia is leading the charge with a big goal: 100% renewable energy by 2027. While some initiatives, like the solar battery rebate, have wrapped up, there are still heaps of ways to flip over to the sunny side.
Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) is like a little financial booster for your new solar setup. This government rebate helps shrink those scary upfront costs by giving you small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Then, you can trade them with an accredited solar installer to knock the rebate right off your quote.
How much can you get from this rebate? Well, the exact number of STCs you’ll get depends on the size of your system, its energy output, and your home’s location. STCs usually range between $37 and $40 each but this can shift around with market demand.1Solar calculator – Solar rebate in SA 2025 And since not all areas of Australia get the same amount of sunshine, the STC rate changes a little depending on where the sun likes to linger the most. Because it’s in the south, South Australia produces less solar energy than super-sunny places like Darwin).
Am I eligible for SRES?
To cash in on this rebate you’ll need to choose a solar inverter, panel, and installer approved by the Clean Energy Council. You’ll also need to make sure that whoever designs and installs your system is accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia. And finally, your solar power system will need to be under 1000 kW in size.
But if you tick off all those boxes, you can relax, knowing you’re making the right move for the planet, all at a slightly lower price! The best part is you don’t need to do any paperwork. Your installer should automatically apply your rebate to your quote.
Is it worth getting solar in SA?
Remember that one glorious hour back in October 2020 when SA ran exclusively on solar panels? That might be the future. While it might be more of a long-term investment, it can help chip away at your bills and carbon footprint over time.
If you’re still on the fence and weighing out all the pros and cons, let’s make life a little easier with an example. Say you’re installing a 6.6 kW solar panel system (a popular size for residential homes) that costs $8,690, this is what your costs could look like.
You can see the difference this one rebate can make to your up-front costs (and that’s without even thinking about the savings you can get once the system’s up and running). The savings you gain by switching over to solar can see most 6.6 kW systems paid off in about five years, give or take.
What are some other ways solar can save me money?
It’s a no-brainer that solar panels can help lower your emissions. But what about your bills? Sure, solar panels are a long-term investment but think of it as a purchase that could pay itself off in a couple of years. And once it’s all paid, you get to sit back and enjoy those savings.
While installing your solar panels is a great first step, if you want to save even more, then it could be worth ‘self-consuming’ your solar energy. This just means you use the power your panels create instead of relying on the grid.
The secret weapon to self-consuming is a solar battery. It stores energy during the day, so you can keep your home running smoothly even when the sun’s clocked off. Perfect for those chilly winter mornings or sultry summer nights. But we get it, solar batteries are pricey, so they’re not for everyone.
If solar batteries aren’t in your budget, feed-in tariffs could be your next best bet. These let you sell your unused solar power back to the grid for a bit of credit on your bills. It’s a perfect way to keep your panels working for you, even when you’re not using them.
Helpful tip:
If you decide that a feed-in tariff seems like the perfect way to get even more out of your new solar panels, it’s worth being a little bit vigilant with tariff rates. In SA, feed-in tariff rates are set by each retailer, so it pays to shop around.
If you see a nice rate figure, make sure to read through the plan details first. Some energy retailers in SA like to put a nice figure for the first 12 months to get your attention, with a not-so-nice rate hike the year after. So do your homework, check the fine print, and make sure you’re locking in a plan that works for you for the long haul.
Julia Paszka
General Manager – Utilities
Is your electricity plan as bright as the SA sun?
Solar panels are great at lowering your carbon footprint and bills, but what about the energy plan backing them up? Even with rebates and sunny savings, you could be missing out on a plan that could suit you more. So take a moment to compare your energy options online from a range of providers and plans or call our comparison experts at 1800 664 532. It’s the easiest way to make sure your energy plan shines just as bright as your rooftop panels.
Get started on comparing energy plans today!
Save time and effort by comparing a range of energy plans with iSelect
iSelect does not compare all energy providers or plans in the market. The availability of plans may change from time to time, depending on who iSelect’s providers are and what plans they make available to iSelect. Not all plans made available from iSelect providers may be compared by iSelect either due to commercial arrangements, area or availability, so not all plans or providers compared by iSelect will be available to all customers. Some plans and special offers are available only from iSelect’s contact centre or website. Energy plans are available only for properties located in eligible areas of Victoria, New South Wales, South East Queensland, South Australia and ACT. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.