Arabic version: توسيع برنامج الطاقة الشمسية يستهدف تركيبات أسطح الشركات

According to ABC News, the federal government will expand the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) from 100 kilowatts to one megawatt, reducing the cost of solar installations at schools, supermarkets, factories and farm buildings by about 20 per cent.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen is set to announce the change during an address at the National Press Club. The government estimates retailers could save almost $70,000 on a 250kW system, while a large retail complex or logistics warehouse could save more than $230,000 on an 850kW system.

Under the SRES, solar installations generate certificates traded on the open market. Businesses and farmers have struggled to use the scheme since it began in 2011 because systems larger than 100kW were excluded. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis puts residential solar capacity at about 22 gigawatts, compared with 5.6 gigawatts installed by businesses.

Mr Bowen will also ask the Australian Energy Market Commission to ensure network providers approve commercial and industrial solar faster. See Saw Wine business development manager Maggie Jarrett said red tape had been a major barrier for the New South Wales Central Coast winery, which has installed 30kW of solar across three farms. She said a 20 per cent reduction in upfront costs could help businesses make the case for bank loans for one-megawatt developments.

Smart Energy Council policy head Rob Potter called the expansion a “game changer”, particularly alongside the government’s battery subsidy program. Australian Conservation Foundation climate policy adviser Annika Reynolds welcomed the announcement but said greater renewable uptake alone was unlikely to deliver Australia’s target of 82 per cent renewable electricity by 2030.