South Australian Solar Rebates 2024 – Incentives, Rebates, and Tariffs
Last updated: January 2024 Reading time: 5 minutes
South Australia leads all Australian states in solar adoption, with rooftop solar capable of producing enough energy to meet almost all of the state’s electricity needs 1.
On the other hand, homeowners who have not yet switched to solar face the highest energy prices in the country 2.
If you want to join the solar movement in South Australia, you can take advantage of two national solar incentives: the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, and solar feed-in tariffs.
If you live in the City of Adelaide, you may also be eligible for additional sustainability incentives.
This article will cover each offer in detail.
What’s on this page
Understanding the Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme
Also known as the “federal government solar rebate”, the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme is a nationwide program that incentivises individuals, families, and small businesses to install small-scale renewable energy systems like household solar.
The rebate is given as Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). When you buy a solar system, you’ll get a certain number of STCs based on the size and location of your system.
STCs work like a currency, representing the amount of power your solar system is expected to generate until 2030. The more renewable energy your system is projected to produce, the more STCs you’ll receive.
The total value of these certificates is the amount you’ll get back as a rebate for your solar panels. This value can be subtracted from your installation cost.
How Much Will the Scheme Save Me in SA?
The federal solar rebate in SA can reduce the cost of your solar panels by around 30%, depending on your system size, your location within South Australia, and how soon you install your system. The table below shows that an average-sized solar system of 6.6kW can expect a solar rebate of approximately $2,520.
| Gross system cost: | $9,160 |
| Solar panel rebate: | ($2,520) |
| Net system cost: | $6,640 |
Our free Solar Panel Calculator will show you how much your new system will be eligible to receive, and what savings you can expect to make from it.
How Do I Make a Claim?
If you install new solar panels, or upgrade/replace an old system, you’ll be eligible for the rebate if you follow the steps below:
- Use Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved parts and choose a CEC-accredited installer.
- Install your new solar panels within one year of creating the STCs.
- Keep your system under 100kW, with a maximum annual production of 250MWh.
Your solar installer will calculate your STC rebate amount for you and deduct it from your installation cost, so you don’t need to do anything to make your claim.
Buy with confidence
Solar Feed-in Tariffs in SA
A solar feed-in tariff is another incentive that can boost your solar savings.
But what is a feed-in tariff?
If your solar system produces excess energy, it can be exported to the grid. For every kWh exported, you can receive a payment called a feed-in tariff.
Typically, the rates range from 5c to 10c.
The Best Solar Feed-in Rates in SA
In South Australia, feed-in tariff rates are set by electricity retailers. Unlike in other states across Australia, the SA state government does not set a minimum rate, meaning retailers can offer competitive rates.
The table below shows the best feed-in tariff rates for popular retailers across South Australia (updated January 2024), with the minimum and maximum rates on offer.
| Retailer: | Min FiT: | Max FiT: | Conditions: |
| Origin Energy | 6.0c | 20.0c* | *For customers that purchase a solar system with Origin only. |
| Energy Australia | 8.5c | 8.5c | |
| AGL | 6.0c | 6.0c | |
| Simply Energy | 5.5c | 5.5c | |
| Momentum Energy | 3.5c | 3.5c |
How Do I Access Feed-in Tariffs?
To be eligible to receive feed-in tariffs across South Australia, you’ll need to have a grid-connect solar system installed at your home. If you have multiple solar energy systems installed, only one per household is eligible to receive the tariff.
Not all electricity providers offer feed-in tariffs, and some have specific conditions, like limiting eligibility to customers who purchase their solar panels through them.
You’ll receive your feed-in tariffs paid as a credit on your electricity bills.
Are Feed-in Tariffs Worth It?
While feed-in tariffs can help you pay back your system, choosing a system size that can cover your electrical requirements without producing excess energy will deliver greater savings.
This way, you’ll only pay to install what you need, and you can self-consume your solar energy to power your appliances directly rather than exporting excess energy to the grid.
Solar and Battery Incentives Available in Adelaide
Homeowners in the City of Adelaide can benefit from a range of solar and sustainability initiatives, outlined below.
Residential Solar PV
Concession card holders, tenanted, or strata managed residential properties can access discounts for installing new solar PV systems. Here’s what you can expect to save for different system sizes:
- 1.5 kW to <10 kW: 20% up to $1,000
- 10 kW to <20 kW: 20% up to $2,500
- 20 kW: 20% up to $5,000
Energy Storage Systems
Get 50% up to $2,000 off a new solar battery.
Shared Solar
Get 20% up to $20,000 per site for a shared solar system, with a maximum of $500 per premise. Systems must be greater than 20kW.
Other sustainability incentives
- Appliance electrification: Receive 50% up to $1000 when you replace gas or woodburning appliances with electric or solar-powered ones.
- Electric vehicle charging stations: Install an electric bicycle charging station to receive up to $250, a one-way EV charging station to receive up to $1,000, or a ‘smart’ EV charging station to receive up to $2,000 from the installation costs.
To view the complete list of incentives, visit the City of Adelaide website.
Next Steps
If you’re keen to take advantage of the solar incentives available in SA, here are some next steps you can take:
- Use our STC calculator to estimate your federal rebate amount.
- Learn more about choosing the right solar installer for you.
- Read our guide to solar power in Adelaide.
1 X post, The Australian Energy Market Operator. 2 Industry charts, Australian Energy Regulator.
