Commercial Solar Guide 2026

Why YSQ Commercial?

• We are the trusted experts in commercial solar.

• We have helped 3,200+ businesses reduce their overheads, and environmental impact since 2014.

• Your Solar Quotes have developed bespoke software to walk you through the process of solar comparison, ensuring that you are informed at every point of your solar journey.

• Our in-house experts will create a business case, and use this to recommend the best installers from our vast network of 932 of Australia's highest regarded solar companies.

• We are proud to make the process of transitioning your business to clean energy as smooth as silk.

Our Mission

Our mission at Your Solar Quotes is to reduce Australia’s dependence on fossil fuels and help people harness clean, renewable energy from the sun.

We have done the due diligence and worked hard to find the solar companies who will go above and beyond for our customers. Our business values transparency, fairness, customer service, and accountability, and we look for these same values in the solar companies that we recommend.

We believe the search for solar should be an educational and hassle-free experience. Using our customer feedback system, we champion the solar companies who are highly effective at what they do - ensuring that your search for solar, and our collective future is in safe hands.

Benefits of Solar at your Business

Whether your goal is to reduce your business' operating expenses or meet sustainability targets, investing in commercial solar is a very sound investment. We have outlined the key benefits of installing solar on your business below:

• Cost Savings: Energy cost savings means lower overheads, and more money saved for your business.
• Government Support: Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) cut the upfront cost of going solar, and from 1 October 2026 they cover eligible systems up to 1 MW, not just those up to 100kW. The strongest financial case comes from using your own solar power during business hours rather than exporting it - feed-in rates are now low in most states.
• Tax Breaks: Commercial solar can generally be depreciated as a business asset, and smaller purchases may qualify for the small business instant asset write-off - talk to your accountant about the treatment that fits your purchase.
• Energy Freedom: Future proof your business from the constant energy price hikes by generating your own power, reducing reliance on the grid.
• Green Credentials: Showing your commitment to sustainability, aligns with the growing green expectations of customers and enhances your brand's reputation.
• Marketing Edge: Promote your business as eco-friendly, attracting environmentally conscious consumers.
• Property Value Boost: Increase the value of your property with solar panels, appealing to buyers looking for energy-efficient features.
• Risk Management: If your business opts for commercial solar batteries, diversifying your energy sources can allow you to stay operational during outages, and grid failures.
• Industry Leadership: By installing solar power, you are positioning your business as a leader, while giving yourself a competitive advantage, and inspiring others in your industry to follow suit.

Types of Commercial Solar Systems

Commercial solar systems come in various configurations, tailored to different business needs, location, and energy requirements. Here are the common system types:

Grid-Connected Solar Systems:

• Most common system installed commercially.
• Typically installed on the roof of the commercial premises.
• Directly connected to the electricity grid, allowing surplus power to be exported and imported as needed.
• Ideal for businesses looking to offset electricity costs, and reduce reliance on the grid.

Hybrid Solar Systems:

• Combine solar panels with battery storage and grid connection.
• Provide flexibility to store excess solar energy for use during peak times or grid outages.
• Optimal for businesses seeking both energy cost savings and backup power capabilities.

Off-Grid Solar Systems:

• Suitable for remote or rural businesses without access to the electricity grid.
• Battery storage is incorporated to store excess energy for use when solar generation is low.
• Offers energy independence but requires careful sizing and management.
• Can be installed with tilt-frames to track the sun's movement throughout the day, optimising panel orientation for maximum energy yield.

Solar Carports

• Solar carports are becoming increasingly popular for businesses with large parking areas such as airports and shopping centres.

Commercial Solar Rebates

The huge energy cost savings from installing solar are bolstered by significant rebates, and tax incentives tailored to businesses. Outlined below are key commercial solar rebates available in Australia, aimed at expediting the return on investment for businesses:

Federal Government Solar Rebates

The federal Renewable Energy Target supports commercial solar through two schemes:

• Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which creates Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). Their value is usually passed on as an upfront discount on your quote.
• Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET), under which accredited power stations create Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) over time from the electricity they generate.

What changed on 1 October 2026: the SRES now extends to eligible mid-scale solar systems from 100kW to 1MW installed from 1 October 2026. Previously, systems above 100kW fell outside the small-scale scheme. How the three size bands now compare:

• Up to 100kW: upfront STCs, with a deeming period that shortens each year until the scheme ends in 2030, so an identical system installed in a later year earns fewer certificates.
• 100kW to 1MW (installed from 1 October 2026): eligible systems can claim upfront STCs with a fixed 5-year deeming period. The Clean Energy Regulator says STC applications for these systems will not open until mid to late November 2026, and existing SRES requirements continue to apply unless otherwise specified.
• Above 1MW: outside the small-scale scheme. Large projects are assessed as power stations and create certificates over time from actual generation rather than receiving an upfront discount.

Upfront STCs or certificates over time? Owners of 100kW to 1MW systems can alternatively register under the Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin (REGO), which issues a certificate for each megawatt-hour actually generated. The two are not additive: if you claim STCs for a mid-scale system, you cannot create REGO certificates for that system during the deeming period. The Regulator has said it will publish further guidance on existing systems, extensions and upgrades, so ask your installer which pathway a proposal assumes and confirm it against current guidance.

Planning beyond 2030: the Renewable Energy Target ends in 2030, and with it LGC creation, while REGO continues beyond it. Certificate income should be modelled conservatively in any proposal, and an upfront STC discount should be shown as its own line.

Battery storage is a separate question. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program can discount eligible business batteries, but only where the battery is paired with a solar system of no more than 100kW and support applies to the first 50kWh of usable capacity, so a mid-scale solar site will usually need to look elsewhere for battery support.

For systems up to 100kW, the installation date affects the size of the STC discount. For 100kW to 1MW, getting eligibility and the certificate pathway right matters more than rushing an install - our guide to commercial solar and battery rebates in 2026 walks through the October changes and NSW business battery incentives.

To dive deeper into the available rebates, including state-level rebates and tax incentives read our dedicated page on commercial solar rebates.

Solar System Costs

The cost of commercial solar systems in Australia can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the installation, location, system components, installation complexity, and any additional features or services required. Commercial solar systems are often priced based on the cost per watt of installed capacity. Please use the following as a rough guide of commercial solar pricing.

Typical Cost per Watt (<30kW)

• As a guide, commercial installations under 30kW typically range from around $0.80/W to $1.10/W fully installed after STCs, though prices vary with installation location, state, roof type, quality of components and installation complexity.

Typical Cost per Watt (30-100kW) AKA 'The Sweet Spot'

• Larger systems generally benefit from economies of scale: commercial installations between 30kW and 100kW typically range from around $0.75/W to $1.05/W after STCs, with the per-watt cost usually falling as system size increases towards 100kW.
• Optional features such as battery storage, monitoring systems, and maintenance services can add to the overall cost of the system.

Typical Cost (100kW+)

• The cost of systems larger than 100kW varies greatly due to installation complexity, and engineering costs. Eligible systems up to 1MW installed from 1 October 2026 can now include an upfront STC discount, so check whether each proposal shows its price before and after STCs. Request a commercial solar proposal and we will match your request with our network of installers to provide an energy audit, and obligation free quotes.

For businesses considering solar, it's crucial to:

• Obtain quotes from reputable providers.
• Evaluate system specifications, and costs carefully.
• Ensure that the chosen solar installer optimises your energy tariff.
• Explore available incentives and financing options.

By following these steps, businesses can make an informed decision that aligns with their specific needs and budget.

Financing your Solar?

When considering your solar energy investment, you have three primary finance options: Capital Purchase (CapEx), Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), and Lease/Chattel Mortgage. Each of these options presents varying upfront costs, maintenance choices, and potential returns on investment.

A solar system can slash your organisation's energy costs, and businesses that purchase the system outright (CapEx) often see payback in roughly three to five years - though the actual return depends on your daytime usage, tariff, system price, and how the proposal is modelled.

Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and loans can also be structured in a way that offers cashflow positive outcomes from day one, making your CFO very happy indeed.

We dive into the benefits of each style of system financing on our dedicated commercial solar finance page.

Operation & Maintenance (O&M)

Under Australian Standards, your installer should supply handover documentation that includes recommended maintenance and servicing intervals. Great installers will often tailor-make an O&M schedule that they will typically conduct themselves.

Your Solar Quotes recommends having an electrical inspection conducted bi-annually, which often includes solar panel cleaning. A typical electrical inspection will involve examining inverters, protective and isolation devices, fuse enclosures, mounting structures, solar modules and connecting cables for signs of discolouration or degradation.

Obtaining Quotes

Accredited installers

Since early 2024, Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) - appointed by the Clean Energy Regulator - accredits solar installers and designers, taking over that role from the Clean Energy Council (CEC). Using an SAA-accredited installer, with panels and inverters on the CEC approved product lists, is a legal requirement for claiming STCs - the federal solar incentive. It's also worth looking for NETCC Approved Sellers, a consumer-protection code that covers small-business customers and is administered by the CEC.

Find the best deal on commercial solar

If you’re considering installing solar power on your business, we have done the due diligence on over 932 accredited solar companies who will go above and beyond for you. Their reputations are built on years of providing extraordinary service to our past customers, and you can rest assured that your solar investment is in safe hands. By partnering with Your Solar Quotes, your business can confidently navigate the journey towards a sustainable, and cost-effective solar energy solution.

Enter your details below or give our friendly team a call on 1300 939 821, and we will arrange your obligation-free commercial solar quotes today!