Calculate Your Battery Rebate in Geelong
Get Paid to Power Your Home with Solar + Battery Storage
Updated for 2026 – the federal battery discount is live, and for Geelong, Surf Coast and Bellarine households it means a genuine cut to the upfront cost of home battery storage.
At Velocity Solar, we make it simple to understand how much you can save with our easy Battery Rebate Calculator and expert advice every step of the way.
What Is The Battery STC Rebate?
The Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme now includes battery storage system as part of eligible renewable energy upgrades.
That means when you install a battery with your solar system OR add a battery to an existing system – you could be eligible for thousands of dollars in rebates, depending on the battery system size.
To get the current 6.8 certificates per kWh, your battery needs to be installed and signed off by 31 December 2026. Talk to us early if you’re aiming for this year. What changes on 1 January.
Rebate figures checked October 2026.
USE OUR BATTERY REBATE CALCULATOR
Find out exactly how much you could be eligible for under the new STC battery rebate scheme.
Estimated federal discount
$0
| Battery size tier | kWh in tier | Certificates |
|---|
- One discount per premises.
- The battery must be on the approved list, installed by an accredited installer, with a compatible solar system.
- The installation (commissioning) date sets the rate, not the contract date.
- Minimum 5 kWh usable. Batteries up to 100 kWh can be installed, but only the first 50 kWh attracts the discount.
- This figure is indicative. Velocity confirms the exact amount in your written quote.
How the 2026 battery discount is worked out
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program gives an upfront discount on a home battery. The discount is the number of small-scale technology certificates (STCs) multiplied by the certificate price. The number of certificates depends on the usable size of the battery and the date it is installed (commissioned). Certificates are rounded down to a whole number.
Certificates per kWh, by installation date
| Installed | Certificates per kWh |
|---|---|
| 1 Jan to 30 Apr 2026 | 8.4 |
| 1 May to 31 Dec 2026 (current) | 6.8 |
| 1 Jan to 30 Jun 2027 | 5.7 |
| 1 Jul to 31 Dec 2027 | 5.2 |
| 1 Jan to 30 Jun 2028 | 4.6 |
| 1 Jul to 31 Dec 2028 | 4.1 |
| 1 Jan to 30 Jun 2029 | 3.6 |
| 1 Jul to 31 Dec 2029 | 3.1 |
| 1 Jan to 30 Jun 2030 | 2.6 |
| 1 Jul to 31 Dec 2030 | 2.1 |
Three size tiers (from 1 May 2026)
| Part of the battery | Share of the rate that applies |
|---|---|
| First 14 kWh | 100% |
| Above 14 kWh, up to 28 kWh | 60% |
| Above 28 kWh, up to 50 kWh | 15% |
| Above 50 kWh | No discount |
Worked example: two-module SigenStor (17.52 kWh usable) installed in November 2026
The SigenStor module we now install (Sigenergy BAT 10.0) holds about 9.04 kWh in total, of which 8.76 kWh is usable, and the discount is paid on the usable figure. Two modules give 17.52 kWh usable. The first 14 kWh earns 14 × 6.8 = 95.2 certificates. The remaining 3.52 kWh earns 3.52 × 6.8 × 60% = 14.36 certificates. The total is 109.56, rounded down to 109 certificates. At $38 per certificate, the discount is 109 × $38 = $4,142. (Systems we installed before mid-2026 used the earlier 8 kWh module, with 7.8 kWh usable.)
Last updated 19 October 2026. Source: Clean Energy Regulator. Rates and certificate prices can change, so treat every figure as an estimate.
Battery rebate for Geelong homes, in real prices
Geelong households get the same federal battery rebate as the rest of Australia, through the Cheaper Home Batteries Program. Since 1 May 2026 a battery earns 6.8 certificates for each kWh of usable capacity, on a tiered scale: the full rate for the first 14 kWh, 60% of the rate from 14 to 28 kWh, and 15% from 28 to 50 kWh. At today’s certificate prices that is about $3,450 off a 13.5 kWh battery such as a Tesla Powerwall 3, and about $5,150 off a 24 kWh battery. The rate steps down again on 1 January 2027.
You do not claim the rebate yourself. Your installer takes it off the price up front, so the quote you sign already includes it.
What does that look like in real Geelong prices? Across our own recent installs, a Tesla Powerwall 3 added to existing solar typically cost about $11,900 after the rebate, an 18 kWh SigenStor (two modules) about $13,500, and 27 kWh and over about $17,000, including GST (October 2026). Solar and a battery installed together typically cost about $18,200 to $27,600, depending on battery size. Our solar and battery price guide for Geelong shows every size and how many installs sit behind each figure.
Rebate rules change, so check the Clean Energy Regulator for the latest, or call our Geelong team on (03) 5243 8364.
Battery Rebate FAQs
How much is the battery rebate in 2026?
From 1 May to 31 December 2026 the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program gives 6.8 certificates per kWh of usable capacity for the first 14 kWh, 60% of that rate for the part from 14 to 28 kWh, and 15% for the part from 28 to 50 kWh. At about $38 per certificate, a 16 kWh battery earns 103 certificates, or about $3,914. The final amount is confirmed in your written quote.
Does the battery rebate drop in 2027?
Yes. The certificates per kWh fall from 6.8 for batteries installed in 2026 to 5.7 for batteries installed from 1 January to 30 June 2027, then 5.2 from 1 July 2027, and keep stepping down each six months to 2.1 in the second half of 2030. The installation date sets the rate, not the contract date.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?
Yes, in most cases. The battery must be on the approved list, installed by an accredited installer and compatible with your solar system. If your current inverter cannot run a battery, we can fit a battery with its own inverter alongside your panels. See adding a battery to existing solar for prices.
Our Solar and Battery Packages
Check out our range of solar and battery packages—designed for maximum savings and performance. Every package is ready to take full advantage of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which has been live since 1 July 2025.
Why Add a Battery?
- Maximise your solar investment – store excess energy instead of exporting it at low feed in tariffs.
- Energy independence – power your home even during blackouts.
- Eco-friendly – reduce grid reliance and lower your carbon footprint.
- Future-proof – prepare for rising energy costs.
Need Help Deciding?
Our team of expert designers and installers will:
- Review your energy needs and usage patterns.
- Recommend the best system + battery size.
- Help you claim the maximum rebate you’re entitled to.
Why Choose Velocity Solar?
- Local Geelong team, installing since 2011 with over 4,500 installs completed.
- Tailored designs for your home or business.
- Our own in-house installation crews – no subcontractors.
- Transparent advice and upfront pricing.
Get in contact with us today so we can book a time to do your free in-house consultation.
Battery Rebate Questions, Answered
Who can claim the battery rebate?
As of 2026, the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program is open to households adding an eligible battery to a new or existing solar system. Our sales team confirms your current eligibility and applies the discount to your quote up front, so you see the reduced price before you commit.
How much is the rebate worth?
For installs commissioned between 1 May and 31 December 2026 the discount is about $245 to $275 for each usable kWh on the first 14 kWh of the battery (6.8 certificates per kWh at a market price of $36 to $40 each), then 60% of that rate from 14 to 28 kWh and 15% from 28 to 50 kWh. A two-module SigenStor (17.52 kWh usable) attracts about 109 certificates, around $4,140 off. Use the calculator above for your battery, and we confirm the exact figure in your written quote.
Which batteries do you install?
We install and support Tesla Powerwall, SigEnergy and BYD battery systems, matched to your home’s energy use. Our in-house crews handle the full install across Geelong, the Surf Coast and the Bellarine – never subcontractors.
Why choose a local installer?
Velocity Solar was founded in 2011 by A-grade electrician Brad Ott, and we have completed more than 4,500 installs from right here in Geelong. Being local means straightforward advice, our own crews on the tools, and support you can reach on (03) 5243 8364. We keep across every rebate change as it lands, so you always get current 2026 advice.
More 2026 Rebate Questions, Answered
Does the battery discount get smaller in 2027?
Yes. The federal discount is worked out from a certificate factor that drops every six months. For batteries commissioned between 1 May and 31 December 2026 it is 6.8 certificates per usable kWh on the first 14 kWh; from 1 January 2027 it falls to 5.7, and again to 5.2 from July 2027. On a 16 kWh battery that is roughly $650 less if you install in early 2027 instead of before Christmas. The installation date sets the rate, not the date you sign, so order early enough to be installed this year.
Are Tesla Powerwall and SigEnergy batteries eligible?
Yes – the batteries we install, including Tesla Powerwall, SigEnergy and BYD, are on the approved product lists these rebates draw from. The exact discount depends on the usable capacity you choose. We confirm the eligible models and the 2026 discount amount before you sign anything.
Do I need a new solar system to get the battery rebate in 2026?
No. The battery discount applies whether you are adding storage to an existing solar system or installing solar and battery together. If you already have panels, we assess your setup and recommend a battery sized to your energy use. Call our team on (03) 5243 8364 for current, in-house advice.
