STC Solar Rebate Calculator NSW 2026 | Kratos Energy

STC Solar Rebate NSW 2026: Calculate Your Rebate by System Size

If you're considering solar in New South Wales in 2026, one of the first questions you are likely to ask is:

How much solar rebate can I actually get?

For most NSW homeowners, the main upfront solar incentive is Australia's federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme.

Your STC entitlement is not a fixed amount. It depends mainly on:

• your solar system size

• your installation postcode

• the year your system is installed

• the applicable STC market value

For standard eligible solar PV systems installed in 2026, the deeming period is five years. It reduces to four years in 2027 and continues falling annually until the current scheme reaches 2030.

If you want to skip the calculations, use the Kratos Solar Rebate Calculator to estimate your 2026 rebate using your postcode and preferred solar system size.

CALCULATE MY 2026 SOLAR REBATE → https://kratos-energy.com/calculators/solar-rebate

What Is the STC Solar Rebate?

The phrase solar rebate is commonly used by Australian homeowners, although STCs technically work as renewable energy certificates rather than a direct NSW Government cash payment.

When an eligible solar system is installed, it can create a certain number of Small-scale Technology Certificates.

Most homeowners assign these certificates to their solar provider or registered agent. Their value is then generally reflected as an upfront discount on the cost of the solar installation.

This is one reason the advertised price of an eligible residential solar system is often shown after the STC rebate has been applied.

If you want a broader explanation of available incentives, read the Kratos guide to NSW solar rebates and government incentives.

How Is the STC Rebate Calculated in NSW?

A simplified calculation for a standard solar PV system is:

STCs = Solar System Size × Postcode Zone Rating × Deeming Period

The result is rounded down to a whole number of certificates.

Your estimated STC discount can then be calculated as:

Estimated STC Value = Number of STCs × Applicable STC Price

Australia is divided into different solar zones because solar generation potential varies by location.

A typical Sydney postcode is in Zone 3, which carries a rating of 1.382 under the Clean Energy Regulator's postcode-zone system.

That is why your postcode matters when calculating your solar rebate.

6.6kW Solar Rebate NSW 2026 Example

Let's take a typical 6.6kW solar system installed in a Zone 3 NSW location during 2026.

The calculation is approximately:

6.6 × 1.382 × 5 = 45.606

Rounded down:

45 STCs

If an indicative STC value of $38 per certificate is used:

45 × $38 = approximately $1,710

So an eligible 6.6kW system in a typical Zone 3 location could produce an estimated STC benefit of around:

$1,710

This is an estimate rather than a guaranteed rebate amount because STCs are traded in a market.

The official STC clearing house price is $40 excluding GST, while open-market STC prices fluctuate according to supply and demand.

Homeowners considering this size can also explore the Kratos 6.6kW solar system package, which is designed for typical 2–4 person Australian households.

Estimated NSW Solar Rebate by System Size in 2026

Using a Zone 3 postcode and an indicative value of $38 per STC:

These figures are indicative only.

Your actual STC entitlement depends on your installation postcode, eligible solar capacity, installation year and the STC value applied when your system is quoted.

Not sure whether you need 6.6kW, 10kW or 13kW?

Choosing the right system should depend on more than the size of the rebate.

Explore Kratos residential solar systems to compare system sizes designed for different household electricity requirements.

FIND THE RIGHT SOLAR SYSTEM → https://kratos-energy.com/#systems

Why Your NSW Postcode Changes Your Solar Rebate

Australia uses four solar zones for calculating STCs.

The zone reflects the expected amount of renewable electricity a solar system can generate based on its location.

This means two identical solar systems installed in different Australian regions may not receive exactly the same number of STCs.

For NSW homeowners, entering your actual postcode into a calculator is therefore more accurate than relying on a generic figure such as:

“The NSW solar rebate is $X.”

Check your exact postcode instead.

Use the Kratos postcode-based Solar Rebate Calculator to estimate your STCs based on:

Postcode + System Size + Installation Year

CHECK MY REBATE BY POSTCODE →https://kratos-energy.com/calculators/solar-rebate

Why Installing Solar in 2026 Matters

The STC deeming period decreases each year.

The Clean Energy Regulator confirms that the deeming period decreases by one year annually through 2030.

Consider the same 6.6kW Zone 3 system.

Installation in 2026

6.6 × 1.382 × 5
≈ 45 STCs

At an indicative $38 per STC:

≈ $1,710

Installation in 2027

6.6 × 1.382 × 4
≈ 36 STCs

At the same hypothetical STC value:

≈ $1,368

That would represent roughly $342 fewer STC benefits, assuming the certificate value remained unchanged.

This does not mean you should rush into an unsuitable solar system simply to access a higher incentive.

The better approach is to compare:

system cost + rebate + electricity savings + expected payback period.

For a more complete financial view, use the Kratos Solar Savings & Payback Calculator.

How Much Does Solar Cost After the STC Rebate?

The STC discount is only one part of your final solar price.

The cost of a solar installation can also depend on:

• solar system capacity

• panel brand and efficiency

• inverter type

• roof material

• roof height and accessibility

• switchboard requirements

• single-phase or three-phase connection

• panel layout

• shading

• battery integration

• installation complexity

For homeowners researching installation prices locally, see our detailed guide to solar panel costs in Sydney in 2026.

Rather than comparing solar companies purely on the lowest advertised price, compare the complete installed system, equipment quality, warranties, expected generation and long-term savings.

Does a Bigger Solar System Get a Bigger STC Rebate?

Generally, yes.

Because eligible solar capacity is part of the STC calculation, a larger solar array can generate more certificates.

Using the same 2026 Zone 3 assumptions:

• 6.6kW: approximately 45 STCs

• 10kW: approximately 69 STCs

• 13.2kW: approximately 91 STCs

However:

A bigger rebate does not automatically mean a bigger solar system is better.

Your ideal system size should consider:

• current electricity consumption

• daytime energy usage

• available roof area

• roof orientation

• air-conditioning usage

• pool pumps

• electric vehicle charging

• future home electrification

• battery plans

• export limitations

A correctly sized solar system should maximise the value of the electricity you generate—not simply maximise the number of panels on your roof.

Is Solar Still Worth It in NSW in 2026?

For many NSW households, the financial benefit of solar now comes primarily from reducing the amount of expensive grid electricity you need to purchase.

Every unit of solar electricity used directly inside your home is electricity you do not have to buy from your electricity retailer.

That means factors such as:

self-consumption + system size + electricity tariff + solar generation + system cost

can have a greater long-term impact than the rebate alone.

If you're comparing the overall economics, read our detailed analysis:

Is Solar Worth It in NSW in 2026? Complete ROI Analysis

It examines system costs, electricity savings and expected solar investment returns for NSW homeowners.

Is the Solar STC Rebate the Same as the Battery Rebate?

No.

This distinction is important.

Solar PV and eligible home batteries can both receive federal support, but their certificate calculations are different.

You should therefore not use a solar PV STC calculation to estimate your battery incentive.

If you're considering adding battery storage, use the dedicated Kratos Battery Rebate Calculator to estimate the federal battery support based on usable battery capacity.

Considering solar and battery together?

Calculate them separately:

Solar → STC Solar Rebate Calculator

Battery → Battery Rebate Calculator

This gives you a clearer estimate of the incentives available before requesting a complete solar-and-storage quote.

Do I Have to Calculate and Sell My STCs Myself?

For most residential solar customers, no.

Typically, the rights to create the STCs are assigned to a registered agent or solar provider, and the associated value is reflected as an upfront discount.

This makes the process much simpler for homeowners.

With a properly structured solar quote, you should be able to see:

Original system value

− STC benefit

= Final applicable system price

before committing to the installation.

What Should You Check Before Choosing a Solar System?

The rebate should never be the only factor behind your solar decision.

Before choosing an installation, consider:

1. Your electricity consumption

Review your bills and determine how much electricity your household actually uses.

2. When you use electricity

Homes using more power during daylight hours may achieve particularly strong solar self-consumption.

3. Your available roof space

Roof size, direction, shading and structural layout affect how many panels can realistically be installed.

4. Your future electricity requirements

Consider whether you may add:

• an EV

• battery storage

• heat-pump hot water

• induction cooking

• additional air-conditioning

• a swimming pool

5. Your expected solar payback

The cheapest solar system is not necessarily the system with the best financial return.

Use the Kratos Solar Savings & Payback Calculator to model estimated annual savings and payback before making your decision.

Frequently Asked Questions About STC Rebates in NSW

How much is the solar rebate in NSW in 2026?

There is no single fixed NSW solar rebate amount. Your STC entitlement depends primarily on your system size, solar zone, installation year and applicable STC value.

A 6.6kW system installed in a typical Zone 3 location in 2026 would generate approximately 45 STCs.

How many STCs does a 6.6kW solar system get in NSW in 2026?

Using the Zone 3 rating of 1.382 and the 2026 five-year deeming period:

6.6 × 1.382 × 5 ≈ 45 STCs

after rounding down.

How many STCs does a 10kW solar system get in NSW in 2026?

Using the same Zone 3 assumptions:

10 × 1.382 × 5 ≈ 69 STCs

after rounding down.

What is the STC deeming period in 2026?

The deeming period for a standard eligible solar PV system installed in 2026 is five years. It reduces to four years in 2027.

What is one STC worth in 2026?

STC open-market values fluctuate according to supply and demand.

The official STC clearing house price is $40 excluding GST.

Your solar quote may therefore use a different net certificate value.

Does my postcode affect my STC rebate?

Yes.

Your postcode determines the solar zone rating used in the STC calculation, so location can affect the number of certificates generated.

Is the solar rebate paid directly into my bank account?

Usually not.

For most household installations, the STCs are assigned to a provider or registered agent and their value is reflected as an upfront reduction in the solar system cost.

Calculate Your NSW Solar Rebate Before You Buy

You do not need to guess how much your solar rebate might be.

Kratos Energy has built a postcode-based calculator specifically to help Australian homeowners estimate their STC entitlement before requesting a quote.

Simply enter:

1. Your postcode

2. Your preferred solar system size

3. Your installation year

and receive an estimated rebate.

Start With Your Numbers

Calculate your 2026 STC Solar Rebate with Kratos Energy

CALCULATE MY SOLAR REBATE → https://kratos-energy.com/calculators/solar-rebate

Then Find Out What Solar Could Actually Save You

The upfront STC benefit is only the beginning.

A well-designed solar system can continue reducing your electricity purchases for many years after the initial rebate has been applied.

Once you know your rebate:

Step 1

Calculate your STC rebate

Step 2

Estimate your yearly electricity savings and payback

Step 3

Choose the right solar system size

Step 4

Request a tailored Kratos solar quote

Kratos Energy provides residential solar and battery solutions designed around the energy requirements of Australian homes.

Ready to See Your Numbers?

CALCULATE MY SOLAR REBATE → https://kratos-energy.com/calculators/solar-rebate

GET MY FREE SOLAR QUOTE → https://kratos-energy.com/contact

**Rebate and savings estimates are indicative only. STC values, eligibility, site conditions and regulations can change. Final system pricing and applicable incentives should be confirmed before installation.**