Solar Rebates and Incentives WA 2026: The Complete Guide

Western Australia is one of the best places in the country to invest in solar and battery storage. A big part of that is the solar battery incentives WA households can access. Between federal rebates, WA-specific programs, export tariffs, and no-interest finance, a well-structured system can draw on several layers of support at once.

This guide covers every rebate and incentive available in WA in 2026. It explains what each one covers, what the caveats are, and what Positive Energy Solutions handles on your behalf.

1. Federal Solar Panel Rebate: Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs)

STCs are the federal government’s solar rebate. They apply to solar panels, not batteries. When you install a solar system, your installer creates certificates based on the size of the system and your location. These certificates are then sold into the market, and the value is passed back to you as an upfront discount on the purchase price.

Perth gets some of the best solar irradiance in Australia. This means WA households generate a strong number of STCs, and get a healthy upfront discount on panels.

• What it covers: Solar panels only.
• How it works: Applied at point of sale as an automatic discount — no claim required from you.
• Who is eligible: Most households installing a new solar system under 100kW.
• Do I need to do anything? No. Your installer handles everything. The price you are quoted already reflects the STC discount.

2. Federal Battery Rebate: Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP)

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program is a federal government scheme. It gives eligible Australian households a rebate when they buy and install an approved home battery system. It is one of the biggest incentives available for battery storage, and it has put quality systems within reach of many more households.

Positive Energy Solutions is an approved supplier under the CHBP. We handle the application as part of your installation process. You do not need to navigate the government portal or deal with the paperwork yourself.

• What it covers: Home battery systems from approved suppliers.
• Who is eligible: Eligible Australian homeowners purchasing an approved battery through an approved supplier.
• How much: a tiered rebate of approximately $258 per usable kWh for the first 14 kWh. This steps down to 60% of that rate (about $155/kWh) for the next 14 kWh, and 15% (about $39/kWh) above 28 kWh, up to 50 kWh. For our three most popular battery packages this works out to $6,810 (27 kWh), $7,342 (36 kWh) and $7,912 (54 kWh).
• Step-down date: the full rate applies to the first 14 kWh from 1 May 2026. Rebate rates step down over time. Installing sooner locks in the current rate.
• How to access it: Through an approved supplier like Positive Energy Solutions — we manage the application for you.

For full eligibility details, see our dedicated guide: Cheaper Home Batteries Program Perth 2026.

3. WA State Battery Rebate

On top of the federal CHBP, Western Australia has its own state-level battery rebate for eligible households. This is a separate program from the federal rebate, and it further reduces the net cost of adding battery storage to your home.

Where both programs are available and you are eligible for both, they can stack. This means you access the federal and state rebate together, cutting your upfront cost by a lot. Your Positive Energy Solutions energy consultant will confirm which programs you are eligible for, and make sure your applications are submitted correctly.

• What it covers: Battery storage systems for eligible WA households.
• Who is eligible: Eligible Synergy-network homeowners — speak to your energy consultant to confirm your eligibility. VPP participation (Synergy Battery Rewards) is required.
• How much: up to $1,300, capped at $130 per usable kWh.
• How to access it: Positive Energy Solutions manages the application as an approved supplier.

4. Interest-Free Finance: The Plenti Loan

For eligible households, the WA state government offers a no-interest loan through Plenti. This helps cover the upfront cost of a solar and battery system. Rather than paying the full cost upfront, you spread it over time with zero interest, which makes the investment easier to afford without adding to the long-term cost of the system.

Positive Energy Solutions starts the first step of the Plenti application on your behalf. From there, Plenti manages the loan process directly with you.

• What it covers: Upfront purchase cost of a solar and/or battery system, with loans available up to $10,000 for eligible households.
• Interest rate: Zero — this is a no-interest government-backed loan.
• Eligibility caveats: Subject to individual eligibility criteria — your energy consultant will confirm whether this applies to you.
• Can it stack with the rebates? Yes — rebates reduce your purchase cost and the loan covers the remaining balance.
• How to access it: Positive Energy Solutions initiates the application process for you.

5. Getting Paid for Exports: DEBS Feed-in Tariff

The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) pays you for the excess solar energy your system exports to the Synergy grid. Every kilowatt-hour you send back to the network earns you a credit on your electricity bill. This reduces what you owe, or builds up a credit balance.

DEBS is available to households with inverters rated at 5kW or under. Inverters larger than 5kW are not eligible for DEBS export payments. This matters during system design, and your energy consultant will explain the trade-offs when recommending your inverter size.

• What it covers: Credits for solar energy exported to the Synergy grid.
• Eligibility caveat: Inverters 5kW and under only. Larger inverters do not attract DEBS payments.
• Rate structure: Peak rate 10c/kWh (3pm-9pm); off-peak rate 2c/kWh (9pm-3pm).
• How to access it: Positive Energy Solutions notifies Synergy of your system details and completes the Western Power grid connection application using your property’s RRN. You are enrolled automatically.

For current rates and how DEBS interacts with different tariffs, see our guide: Synergy DEBS Feed-in Tariff Explained.

6. Battery Rewards: Virtual Power Plant (VPP)

The Synergy Battery Rewards program lets eligible battery owners earn money by taking part in demand response events. During these events, Synergy draws on enrolled batteries during periods of peak grid demand, typically on hot afternoons.

Battery Rewards is not always active. Synergy triggers events when needed, and your battery discharges to the grid during that window. You earn a payment per kilowatt-hour for each event. Outside of activated events, the program has no effect on how your battery operates day to day.

• Who is eligible: Eligible battery owners enrolled in the Battery Rewards program — speak to your energy consultant about whether your battery and setup qualify.
• How it works: Synergy activates an event. Your battery responds automatically. You earn a payment per kWh discharged.
• When it applies: Only during activated events — not a continuous income stream.
• Up to: 30 events per year, subject to Synergy activating them.

For a full breakdown, see our guide: Synergy Battery Rewards Explained.

7. Self-Consumption and Choosing the Right Tariff

Beyond the formal rebate programs, one of the most powerful ways to get value from your solar and battery system is self-consumption: using the energy you generate rather than exporting it. Every kilowatt-hour you use directly from your solar or battery avoids buying that energy from Synergy at the full import rate.

Pairing high self-consumption with the right Synergy tariff boosts your savings further. Synergy offers several tariff options for solar and battery households:

• A1 (Standard): A flat consumption rate with DEBS export credits. Suits most households and is the default starting point.
• Midday Saver: Lower import rates from 9am to 3pm — the window when solar is generating at its peak. Well-suited to households that can shift loads like washing and dishwashing to the middle of the day.
• EV Add-On: For households with an electric vehicle, offering a lower overnight charging rate alongside the base tariff structure.

The right tariff depends on your usage patterns, system size, and whether you have a battery. Getting this wrong means leaving money on the table. Your energy consultant will help you find the right structure for your household. See our full comparison: Synergy A1 vs Midday Saver vs EV Add-On.

How These Incentives Stack Together

The real value of WA’s solar and battery incentives is that so many of these programs can be used at the same time. A typical Positive Energy Solutions customer with a solar and battery system might access:

• STC discount on solar panels — applied at point of sale, no action required.
• CHBP federal battery rebate — reducing the upfront cost of the battery.
• WA state battery rebate — further reducing the battery cost where eligible.
• Plenti no-interest loan — covering remaining costs with zero interest for eligible households.
• DEBS export credits — earning on every kilowatt-hour exported (on systems with a 5kW or under inverter).
• Battery Rewards payments — earning during Synergy demand response events when activated.
• High self-consumption + optimised tariff — maximising bill savings day to day.

Not every incentive will apply to every household. Eligibility depends on system design, inverter size, battery type, and your own circumstances. Your energy consultant will work through what applies to your situation and make sure you are set up to access everything you are entitled to.

What Positive Energy Solutions Handles for You

Navigating rebate applications, government portals, and Synergy paperwork can feel overwhelming. Positive Energy Solutions manages the process from start to finish. You do not need to contact Synergy, deal with Western Power, or work out how to apply for rebates yourself.

Here is what we take care of on your behalf:

• Synergy applications: Notifying Synergy of your new system and arranging DEBS enrollment and tariff changes.
• Western Power applications: Completing the grid connection application using your property’s RRN.
• CHBP federal rebate application: Submitting your battery rebate claim as an approved supplier.
• WA state battery rebate application: Managing the state rebate application alongside the federal one where applicable.
• Plenti no-interest loan: Initiating the first step of the application to get the finance process underway.

We guide you through the whole process, from your first conversation through to a fully commissioned, rebate-enrolled system.

Related guides

• Adding a Battery to Your Existing Solar System in Perth: 2026 Costs, Rebates, and Inverter Compatibility Guide
• How the Cheaper Home Batteries Program Works in Perth — What You Actually Get in 2026
• Does Solar Add Value to Your Home in Perth? What the Data Says in 2026
• How Much Can You Save with Solar and Battery in Perth? 2026 Breakdown

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I access the CHBP if I already have existing solar panels?

Yes. The CHBP is a battery rebate, so it applies to the battery system, not the solar panels. If you have existing solar and want to add a battery, you may still be eligible. See our guide: Adding a Battery to Existing Solar Perth 2026.

Does receiving the battery rebate affect my DEBS eligibility?

No. The programs are independent. You can receive the CHBP rebate and still earn DEBS export payments for your solar generation, provided your inverter is 5kW or under.

Do I need to claim the STC discount myself?

No. The STC discount is applied by your installer at the point of sale on your solar panels. The price you are quoted already reflects the federal rebate. There is no separate claim or paperwork required from you.

Can I get the Plenti loan and the battery rebates at the same time?

Yes, these can be stacked. The rebates reduce your upfront cost, and the no-interest loan can cover the remaining balance. Positive Energy Solutions will help you navigate the applications for both.

My inverter is larger than 5kW, can I still export to the grid?

You can still export energy to the grid, but DEBS export payments do not apply to inverters larger than 5kW. This is worth discussing during your system design consultation, so you fully understand the trade-offs before committing to an inverter size.

How often does Battery Rewards actually activate?

Battery Rewards events are triggered by Synergy when grid demand peaks, typically on very hot afternoons in summer. The program allows for up to 30 events per year, but the actual number depends on grid conditions. It is not a guaranteed income stream, but it can add real value when events do occur.

Ready to Find Out What You are Eligible For?

The best way to find out which rebates and incentives apply to your household is to speak with one of our energy consultants. We will look at your usage, your roof, and your goals, and give you a clear picture of what is available, what you qualify for, and what everything will cost after incentives.

Positive Energy Solutions manages every application, Synergy notification, and Western Power connection as part of every installation. You focus on the outcome. We handle the process.

About the Author

Jason Wiktorowicz
Sales Manager, Positive Energy Solutions | Perth, WA

Jason has been at the centre of Western Australia’s energy transition for over a decade. As Orchestration Lead on Project Symphony — WA’s largest virtual power plant pilot — and Stream Lead on Project Encore, he worked directly with AEMO, Western Power and Energy Policy WA to shape how distributed energy resources connect and operate on the SWIS. That work included developing and rolling out CSIP-AUS, now mandatory for all new WA grid connections. He also led Emergency Solar Management (ESM), the first program of its kind in WA, VPP for Schools (VPP4S), which provided direct market benefits through Supplementary Reserve Capacity, and REBAR, the WA Residential Battery Rebate scheme.

His earlier career spanned Synergy, Infinite Energy and Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy Institute, where he co-authored peer-reviewed research on net-zero urban precincts, solar integration and peer-to-peer energy trading, published in the journal Urban Planning in 2018.

At Positive Energy Solutions, Jason leads sales with a focus on system design accuracy and long-term performance. Positive Energy Solutions installs solar and battery systems, EV chargers and heat pumps, and holds partner accreditations with Fronius, SigEnergy, iStore and SunPower. Connect with him on LinkedIn.