Solar Energy Blogs

Quick answer: On 5 August 2026, the Australian Government announced it will expand the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme to cover solar systems up to 1MW, up from the current 100kW cap. The change is intended to start from 1 October 2026, but full eligibility and compliance rules haven’t been published yet. What is changing? The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) is the mechanism behind Australia’s solar rebate. It works through Small-scale Technology Certificates (

Quick answer: From 1 September 2026, NSW businesses can access a new battery storage incentive through the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme. Two activities apply: BESS4 for systems between 20kWh and 200kWh, and BESS5 for systems above 200kWh. Both require new solar to be installed alongside the battery. What is the NSW Commercial Battery Incentive? It isn’t a incentive in the traditional sense. The NSW Government is extending its Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) to commercial-

Quick answer: The Solar Sharer Offer gives eligible households in NSW, South Australia and South East Queensland up to 24kWh of free electricity during a three hour window each day, from 1 July 2026. You don’t need solar to use it, and it doesn’t replace what solar or a battery does. Solar generates power across the whole day and earns a feed-in credit for exports. A battery lets you store cheap or free power for the evening peak, including power drawn free during the Solar S

Quick answer: Solar panels sold in Australia must pass a hail impact test (25mm hailstones at 82.8km/h), but that’s a minimum standard. Hail in parts of Canberra, Brisbane and regional NSW/QLD can exceed it. If your panels are hit, stay off the roof, check from the ground, check your inverter for fault codes, and get a professional inspection before assuming everything’s fine. Can Hail Actually Damage Solar Panels? Yes, though it’s less common than most people assume. Solar p