Eligible businesses can now access Battery Small-scale Technology Certificates, commonly referred to as Battery STCs or BSTCs, to reduce the upfront cost of an approved battery installation.

However, Battery STCs reduce over time and the scheme is scheduled to end in 2030.

The incentive should support the right battery solution—not determine it. REQ designs each system around the business’s electricity consumption, solar production, peak demand, machinery, backup requirements and future growth.

Battery STCs are Small-scale Technology Certificates created through the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program.

Officially, all certificates created through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme are called STCs. REQ uses the term Battery STCs or BSTCs to distinguish the battery incentive from the STCs created by an eligible solar installation.

Most customers assign the right to create the certificates to the retailer or registered agent. The estimated value is then applied as an upfront reduction in the battery system price.

The Battery STC scheme is scheduled to end in 2030.

The available incentive reduces over time, with the applicable Battery STC factor based on when the battery is installed and certified.

This means businesses installing closer to 2030 will generally receive fewer Battery STCs than businesses installing earlier.

Yes.

Battery STCs are available for eligible residential and non-residential properties, including eligible small businesses.

The battery must meet the current program requirements, be connected to an eligible new or existing solar system, use approved equipment and be installed by an appropriately accredited installer.

No.

For eligible batteries installed from 1 May 2026, the Battery STC factor is applied at different rates:

* The first 14 kWh of eligible usable capacity receives 100% of the applicable factor

* Capacity above 14 kWh and up to 28 kWh receives 60% of the applicable factor

* Capacity above 28 kWh and up to 50 kWh receives 15% of the applicable factor

The applicable factor also reduces over time until the scheme ends in 2030.

No.

The incentive should support the right system design—it should not determine the design.

A larger battery may still be the correct commercial solution where the business requires:

* Greater morning ramp-up capacity

* Peak-demand management

* More stored solar energy

* Longer backup duration

* Support for additional equipment

* Capacity for future growth

REQ sizes the battery around the business’s actual energy and operational requirements.

In most cases, the customer assigns the right to create the Battery STCs to the retailer or registered agent.

The estimated value of the certificates is then shown as an upfront reduction in the commercial proposal.

The final value can depend on:

* Eligible usable battery capacity

* The date the battery is installed and certified

* The applicable Battery STC factor

* The market value of the certificates

* The system meeting the program’s eligibility requirements

A commercial battery can do considerably more than store excess solar energy.

Depending on how the system is designed and controlled, it can:

* Store excess solar energy for use later

* Reduce electricity purchased from the grid

* Provide additional power during morning ramp-up

* Reduce grid demand during peak operating periods

* Help manage peak-demand charges

* Support essential services during a power outage

* Increase the amount of solar consumed onsite

* Reduce reliance on the electricity network

* Support future equipment or business expansion

Batteries can be used to reduce grid consumption at times when electricity costs more and may also help businesses reduce peak-demand charges.

Yes.

An eligible solar installation may receive Solar STCs, while an eligible battery may separately receive Battery STCs.

Both operate through the Australian Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which is scheduled to conclude in 2030.

REQ will show the estimated Solar STC and Battery STC incentives separately within the proposal.

A commercial battery can do considerably more than store excess solar energy.

Depending on how the system is designed and controlled, it can:

* Store excess solar energy for use later

* Reduce electricity purchased from the grid

* Provide additional power during morning ramp-up

* Reduce grid demand during peak operating periods

* Help manage peak-demand charges

* Support essential services during a power outage

* Increase the amount of solar consumed onsite

* Reduce reliance on the electricity network

* Support future equipment or business expansion

Batteries can be used to reduce grid consumption at times when electricity costs more and may also help businesses reduce peak-demand charges.

Yes.

Where a business electricity plan includes demand charges, a battery may be programmed to discharge during periods of high demand.

This can reduce the maximum amount of electricity being drawn from the grid during periods such as:

* Morning startup

* Machinery operating periods

* Refrigeration cycles

* Production peaks

* Air-conditioning demand

* Late-afternoon energy use

* Higher-cost tariff periods

Battery capacity and battery output are both important.

Battery capacity, measured in kWh, determines how much energy is stored. Inverter output, measured in kW, determines how much power can be delivered at one time.

Yes.

A commercial battery can capture solar energy that would otherwise be exported to the electricity grid.

That energy can then be used when:

* Solar production falls

* The business experiences a demand peak

* Electricity tariffs are higher

* The business continues operating after sunset

* Backup power is required

REQ reviews solar production, electricity export and consumption data to determine how consistently the proposed battery can be charged.

In many cases, yes.

Before making a recommendation, REQ assesses:

* The existing solar-system capacity

* Existing inverter equipment

* Solar production and export

* Switchboard configuration

* Battery compatibility

* Existing electrical infrastructure

* Future expansion requirements

Depending on the property, the existing solar system may be retained, expanded, upgraded or incorporated into a broader battery-led solution.

Many businesses experience a sharp increase in electricity demand when they open or begin production for the day.

Machinery, pumps, refrigeration, air conditioning, lighting, computers and other equipment may all start operating within a short period.

This morning ramp-up can create a significant demand spike.

A battery can provide additional power during this period, reducing the amount of electricity drawn from the grid at the same time.

REQ reviews the property’s interval data and equipment operating patterns to identify:

* When the morning ramp-up begins

* How large the demand increase is

* How long it continues

* Which equipment contributes to it

* How much battery output is required to reduce it

Battery STCs are calculated on eligible usable battery capacity up to a maximum of 50 kWh.

There are no additional Battery STCs available for usable battery capacity above 50 kWh.

This does not mean that 50 kWh is automatically the correct battery size. The system should still be designed around the operational and energy requirements of the business.

Yes, you can increase the amount of solar in the future should your needs change, you just need to ensure you have enough space on your roof and the inverter capacity is suitable. Get in touch with one of the friendly team from Renewable Energy Queensland for a free energy assessment to find out more.

If you have an existing system and want to add on to this we can help. You will just need to ensure your inverter capacity is suitable.

Solar panels use the energy from the sun to create renewable energy, so they do not work at night unless you have a battery installed with your solar system that collects and stores renewable energy for use at night.

Your energy bill will show the ‘Solar Credits’ in the discount section of your electricity bill. As well as this, you can review your daily kW usage to compare the amount used before solar and after installation. On average our customers save $2000 per year by installing solar panels!

Based on whether you are a business or a residential customer, you have a range of options for eligibility for STC (small-scale technology certificate).

• Businesses (3-phase) - up to 99kw systems and receive these rebates, at the 2021 rate this could be up to $56,000.

• Residential customers (single-phase) can get up to 13.2kw systems and receive these rebates, at the 2021 rate this could be up to $7,000in savings. Find out more here.

Due to the quality products we install, our solar panels and inverters are designed to withstand exposure to the elements including rain, hail, and strong winds.

Seraphim panels are tested to withstand 1:500 year storms, hail and high wind as well as tested to simulate harsh conditions over time to meet and exceed its 25-year performance warranty.

Yes, each of our solutions has its own unique warranty - an overview of warranties is below.:

• Seraphim 25 year Performance Warranty (25-year)

• Seraphim 15 year Product Warranty (15-year)

• Sungrow 10 Year Inverter Parts and Labour Warranty (10-year)

• Fronius 5+5 Year Inverter warranty (10-year)

• Renewable Energy Queensland 5 year Whole of System Warranty (5-year)

Yes.

To receive Battery STCs, the eligible battery must be connected to a new or existing eligible solar photovoltaic system.

Yes, provided the system has been specifically designed and configured to provide backup power.

A standard grid-connected solar or battery installation does not automatically mean the property will continue operating during an outage.

During the design process, REQ determines whether the business requires:

* Full backup

* Partial backup

* Essential-services backup

* A combined battery and generator solution

A properly configured battery system can support the whole property or selected essential circuits, depending on the equipment, battery, inverter and electrical design.

Full backup is designed to power the entire property, or most of the property, when grid power is unavailable.

This may be possible for smaller businesses or properties with manageable electrical loads.

However, the more equipment operating during an outage, the faster the available battery energy will be used.

A full-backup design must consider:

* Total property demand

* Battery capacity

* Inverter output

* Three-phase requirements

* Machinery startup loads

* Equipment operating at the same time

* Expected outage duration

* Available solar production during the outage

Full backup does not provide unlimited electricity. The business must continue operating within the battery and inverter’s available capacity.

Partial backup powers selected essential services instead of attempting to power the entire property.

Essential services may include:

* Refrigeration and cool rooms

* Security and access systems

* Internet and communications

* Computers and point-of-sale equipment

* Essential lighting

* Selected pumps

* Gates and entry systems

* Critical office equipment

* Selected production equipment

By excluding non-essential or high-demand equipment, the available battery energy can support critical operations for longer.

The main difference is the amount of equipment connected to the backup system.

Full backup is designed to support the entire property, or most of it, during an outage.

Partial backup supports selected essential services while excluding non-essential or high-demand equipment.

Full backup may allow the business to operate more normally, but it will generally use the stored battery energy faster.

Partial backup can extend the available backup duration by prioritising only the services required to keep the business safe and operational.

Neither option is automatically better.

Full backup may be suitable where the property has manageable electricity demand and maintaining normal operation is commercially important.

Partial backup may be more practical where:

* The site operates large machinery

* Several high-demand loads operate at the same time

* Longer backup duration is required

* Only certain services are critical

* Full backup would require a disproportionately large system

REQ works with the customer to understand what must continue operating during an outage before recommending either option.

Backup duration depends on:

* The battery’s usable capacity

* The battery’s charge level when the outage begins

* The number of circuits being backed up

* The electricity consumed by those circuits

* The inverter’s maximum output

* Whether solar continues generating

* The time and duration of the outage

A battery backing up a smaller number of essential services will generally last longer than a battery attempting to power the entire property.

Businesses may also need to manage electricity use during an outage to avoid overloading the battery inverter and to extend the available backup duration.

It can when the solar, battery, inverter and backup equipment have been designed to operate together during a grid outage.

Where the system supports this functionality, solar production may:

* Supply the connected backup loads

* Reduce the amount of energy being drawn from the battery

* Recharge the battery when sufficient solar energy is available

The available production will still depend on the weather, time of day and system configuration.

Potentially, but each item must be assessed individually.

Machinery, motors, pumps, compressors, refrigeration and air-conditioning systems may require significantly more power when starting than during normal operation.

REQ works to understand:

* What machinery is onsite

* When each item operates

* Its normal electricity consumption

* Its startup power requirement

* Whether several items start together

* Which equipment is essential during an outage

* Whether the equipment requires single-phase or three-phase power

This allows us to calculate which equipment can realistically be supported by the battery system.

Yes.

If machinery draws more power than the battery inverter can provide, the backup system may overload, shut down or disconnect to protect itself.

This can occur even when the battery still has stored energy. The battery may have sufficient energy capacity but insufficient immediate power output to start or operate the equipment.

Where this risk exists, REQ may recommend:

* Excluding the machinery from the backup circuits

* Staging the startup of different equipment

* Increasing inverter output

* Increasing battery capacity

* Installing automatic load controls

* Adding generator support

Yes, where the generator, battery equipment and electrical design are compatible.

A combined solution may use:

* The battery for immediate backup and essential services

* Solar to support loads and recharge the battery

* A generator for large machinery or high-demand workloads

* A generator to support the property during extended outages

This may be more practical than attempting to size the battery system to operate every high-demand item for an extended period.

Yes.

Three-phase properties require more detailed design because electricity consumption may be distributed differently across each phase.

REQ assesses:

* The load on each phase

* Single-phase and three-phase machinery

* Maximum site demand

* Battery-inverter output

* Backup equipment compatibility

* Switchboard configuration

* Essential circuits

A large battery does not automatically mean every three-phase load can be backed up.

Depending on the battery and inverter configuration, some systems may only provide backup to selected circuits or one phase of a three-phase property.

It may be possible, depending on how the buildings and electrical infrastructure are connected.

Properties with multiple buildings may have:

* One central switchboard

* Several distribution boards

* Separate electricity meters

* Separate network connection points

* Private electrical infrastructure

* Long cable distances between buildings

REQ reviews the complete site layout before confirming whether one central battery or several distributed battery systems are more appropriate.

Separately metered properties will generally need to be assessed individually.

Where several buildings operate behind a shared private electrical network, a broader site-wide solution may be possible.

The final design will depend on:

* The metering arrangement

* Property ownership

* Network connections

* Switchboard locations

* Electrical distribution across the property

* Distance between buildings

* The electricity requirements of each building

REQ begins by assessing each property individually.

Different locations may have different:

* Operating hours

* Electricity tariffs

* Solar production

* Grid consumption

* Morning ramp-up periods

* Peak demand

* Machinery

* Backup priorities

* Roof capacity

* Electrical infrastructure

REQ can then develop a staged multi-site strategy, prioritising properties based on:

* Available Battery STCs

* Available Solar STCs

* Electricity-saving potential

* Solar export

* Peak-demand costs

* Outage and operational risk

* Future expansion plans

* Expected commercial return

No.

Using a consistent battery and inverter platform may simplify monitoring, support and future expansion, but each battery should still be sized around the requirements of that individual property.

A warehouse, office, retail outlet, agricultural property and manufacturing facility may each require a different battery capacity, inverter output and backup strategy.

In many cases, yes.

Where compatible equipment and communications are installed, central monitoring may provide visibility across several properties, including:

* Solar production

* Battery charge levels

* Grid consumption

* Electricity export

* Demand peaks

* System performance

* Site comparisons

* System notifications

A standardised equipment platform can make multi-site monitoring and future expansion easier to manage.

REQ does not size a commercial battery using electricity bills alone.

Where available, we review interval data to understand:

* When electricity is consumed

* When solar energy is generated

* How much solar is exported

* Morning ramp-up demand

* Peak-demand periods

* Evening and overnight consumption

* Weekend consumption

* Machinery operating times

* Backup requirements

* Future expansion

We also identify and map the major machinery and electrical equipment across the property.

The final recommendation considers both:

Energy capacity: How much electricity the battery can store, measured in kWh.

Power capacity: How much electricity the battery and inverter can deliver at one time, measured in kW.

Depending on the size and complexity of the project, REQ may request:

* Recent electricity bills

* Electricity interval data

* Existing solar monitoring

* Solar-panel and inverter details

* Switchboard information

* Equipment and machinery details

* Business operating hours

* Site plans

* Electrical diagrams

* Essential backup requirements

* Future expansion plans

A site inspection may also be required to verify the existing electrical infrastructure and understand how the business operates.

Many commercial battery systems are modular, but future expansion is not automatic.

Expansion can be affected by:

* Battery compatibility

* Inverter capacity

* Manufacturer requirements

* Available installation space

* Switchboard capacity

* Network approval

* Changes to available equipment

* Current Battery STC eligibility

Where future growth is anticipated, REQ considers this during the original system design.

Not necessarily.

A properly designed battery may significantly reduce grid consumption, peak demand and electricity costs, but fixed charges and electricity use beyond the available battery and solar capacity may remain.

The expected financial result depends on:

* The amount of electricity consumed

* When electricity is consumed

* Solar generation

* Electricity tariffs

* Peak-demand charges

* Battery capacity

* Inverter output

* Business operating hours

* The battery-control strategy

REQ models the proposed solution using the property’s available energy data.

Yes, but the two objectives must be balanced.

Using more battery energy each day may increase electricity savings and reduce peak demand.

Holding part of the battery’s energy in reserve may provide greater protection if a grid outage occurs.

REQ works with the customer to determine the appropriate balance based on:

* Electricity savings

* Morning ramp-up requirements

* Peak-demand management

* Outage risk

* Essential business operations

* Required backup duration

* Available solar generation