{
  "_about": "Government solar, battery, hot water, loan and VPP incentives for Australia, verified against government websites on 27 October 2026 for the Solar Score Calculator. Rules used: every figure was checked on the government's own site (or a federal legislation/CER document); no figure was invented; where a page could not be loaded or did not state a fact the field is null and the verification_note says so. Market STC prices come from named certificate traders, not government. Amounts are AUD. Australian English.",
  "checked": "2026-10-27",
  "federal": {
    "stc": {
      "scheme": "Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme",
      "zone_ratings": {
        "1": 1.622,
        "2": 1.536,
        "3": 1.382,
        "4": 1.185
      },
      "zone_ratings_source": {
        "url": "https://cer.gov.au/document/postcode-zone-ratings-and-zones-solar-panel-systems",
        "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
        "note": "CER PDF 'Postcode zone ratings and zones for solar (photovoltaic) systems, As of 1 January 2020'. Table 1 lists only four distinct zone/rating pairs: zone 1 = 1.622, zone 2 = 1.536, zone 3 = 1.382, zone 4 = 1.185. Verified by extracting every zone/rating pair from the PDF text."
      },
      "deeming_years_by_install_year": {
        "2021": 10,
        "2022": 9,
        "2023": 8,
        "2024": 7,
        "2025": 6,
        "2026": 5,
        "2027": 4,
        "2028": 3,
        "2029": 2,
        "2030": 1
      },
      "deeming_source": {
        "url": "https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme/small-scale-technology-certificates/calculate-small-scale-technology-certificate-entitlements",
        "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
        "quote": "The deeming period decreases by one year each year until 2030 when the scheme ends.",
        "note": "Table on the CER page: 2026 = 5 years, 2027 = 4, 2028 = 3, 2029 = 2, 2030 = 1. The page says the scheme ends in 2030; it does not print the words '31 December 2030'."
      },
      "scheme_end": "2030 (CER: 'until 2030 when the scheme ends'; the regulated deeming table ends with installation year 2030 = 1 year)",
      "certificate_formula": "kW x zone rating x deeming years, rounded down",
      "price": {
        "spot_aud": 39.9,
        "spot_date": "2026-10-19 to 2026-10-23 (weekly market update)",
        "spot_source_url": "https://www.ecovantage.com.au/energy-certificate-market-update/",
        "spot_source_quote": "The STC spot market traded sideways throughout the week with multiple different size parcels exchanging hands at a stable support of $39.90. ... Market participants are purchasing in preparation for the Oct 28 Q3 surrender period. No forward trades were reported.",
        "secondary_spot_aud": 39.65,
        "secondary_spot_source_url": "https://www.demandmanager.com.au/graphs/new_prices.php",
        "secondary_spot_note": "Demand Manager price board showed 'STC $39.65' on 27 October 2026; the board carries no explicit date beside the STC price (latest listed trades dated 26/10).",
        "clearing_house_price": 40,
        "clearing_house_source_url": "https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme/small-scale-technology-certificates/buy-and-sell-small-scale-technology-certificates",
        "clearing_house_quote": "Pricing in the STC clearing house is capped at $40, excluding GST. ... Pricing in the open market is based on supply and demand and can vary daily. (page last updated 14 September 2026)",
        "typical_installer_pass_through_aud": null,
        "pass_through_source_url": null,
        "pass_through_note": "No sourced figure found for what installers typically credit per STC in October 2026. Only trader buy-prices (for example a trader list at $38.50 registered / $37.25 to $37.75 unregistered, effective 5 February 2026, tradeingreen.com.au) and generic statements that installers pass STCs on as an upfront discount were found. Left null rather than guessed.",
        "assumption_used": 39.0,
        "assumption_note": "Site assumption: $39.00 per STC. Two independent market sources quoted $39.90 (Ecovantage, week of 19 to 23 October 2026) and $39.65 (Demand Manager, 27 October 2026), and the CER clearing house cap is $40.00. $39.00 is the market quotes rounded down to the nearest dollar. It sits slightly below spot because a homeowner who assigns STCs to an installer does not usually receive the full spot price (the installer or agent carries trading cost and price risk), but no sourced pass-through figure exists, so the discount to spot is deliberately small. This is an assumption chosen for the calculator, not a market fact; revisit it monthly against the spot sources above."
      },
      "upper_limit_kw": 1000,
      "upper_limit_note": "Verified on the CER. Standard small-scale solar PV remains up to 100 kW with the declining deeming period. From 1 October 2026 the SRES also covers 'mid-scale' solar PV from 100 kW to 1 MW with a fixed 5-year deeming period; STC applications for mid-scale systems do not open until mid to late November 2026. Quote (CER Mid-scale solar page, last updated 7 October 2026): 'The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 have been amended to expand eligibility for solar photovoltaic (PV) systems under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) from 100 kW to 1 MW. These changes apply to eligible mid-scale solar systems installed from 1 October 2026.' and 'eligible mid-scale solar systems (100 kW to 1 MW) will have the benefit of a fixed 5-year deeming period.' Residential calculators should keep using 100 kW as the small-scale threshold; the 1 MW limit only matters for commercial systems.",
      "small_scale_threshold_kw": 100,
      "mid_scale": {
        "from_kw": 100,
        "to_kw": 1000,
        "applies_to_installs_from": "2026-10-01",
        "deeming_years_fixed": 5,
        "applications_open": "mid to late November 2026",
        "source_urls": [
          "https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme/small-scale-renewable-energy-systems/mid-scale-solar",
          "https://cer.gov.au/news-and-media/news/2026/august/expansion-solar-photovoltaic-pv-eligibility-under-small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme"
        ]
      },
      "source_urls": [
        "https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme/small-scale-technology-certificates",
        "https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme/small-scale-technology-certificates/calculate-small-scale-technology-certificate-entitlements",
        "https://cer.gov.au/document/postcode-zone-ratings-and-zones-solar-panel-systems",
        "https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme/small-scale-renewable-energy-systems/mid-scale-solar",
        "https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme/small-scale-technology-certificates/buy-and-sell-small-scale-technology-certificates",
        "https://www.ecovantage.com.au/energy-certificate-market-update/",
        "https://www.demandmanager.com.au/graphs/new_prices.php"
      ]
    },
    "cheaper_home_batteries": {
      "status": "open",
      "start_date": "2025-07-01",
      "stc_factor_per_kwh": 6.8,
      "stc_factor_note": "6.8 applies to batteries installed 1 May 2026 to 31 December 2026 (CER Solar batteries page, last updated 31 July 2026; Renewable Energy Legislation (2026 Measures No. 1) Amendment Regulations 2026, F2026L00093). The factor steps down every six months from 2027, not annually.",
      "factor_by_year": {
        "2026-01-01 to 2026-04-30": 8.4,
        "2026-05-01 to 2026-12-31": 6.8,
        "2027-01-01 to 2027-06-30": 5.7,
        "2027-07-01 to 2027-12-31": 5.2,
        "2028-01-01 to 2028-06-30": 4.6,
        "2028-07-01 to 2028-12-31": 4.1,
        "2029-01-01 to 2029-06-30": 3.6,
        "2029-07-01 to 2029-12-31": 3.1,
        "2030-01-01 to 2030-06-30": 2.6,
        "2030-07-01 to 2030-12-31": 2.1
      },
      "factor_by_year_note": "Copied from the CER table 'STC factors per kWh by year' and cross-checked against Table 1 of the Explanatory Statement to F2026L00093. The 2025 (1 July to 31 December 2025) factor is not shown on the current CER page and is not recorded here.",
      "tiers": [
        {
          "up_to_kwh": 14,
          "share": 1.0
        },
        {
          "up_to_kwh": 28,
          "share": 0.6
        },
        {
          "up_to_kwh": 50,
          "share": 0.15
        }
      ],
      "tiers_rule_quote": "From 0 kWh up to 14 kWh (inclusive): STC factor applied at 100%. Every kWh greater than 14 and up to 28 kWh (inclusive): STC factor applied at 60%. Every kWh greater than 28 and up to 50 kWh (inclusive): STC factor applied at 15%. (CER Solar batteries page). Regulations wording: Tier 1 up to and including 14 kWh 100% of STC factor; Tier 2 >14 kWh up to and including 28 kWh 60%; Tier 3 >28 kWh up to and including 50 kWh 15%.",
      "tiers_note": "The proposed rule matched the real rule exactly. The CER page also says 'STCs can only be claimed for the first 50 kWh of a solar battery's usable capacity.' Total STCs are rounded down to a whole number (worked examples in the Explanatory Statement: '140.08' becomes 140, '108.9 rounded down to 108 STCs').",
      "min_kwh": 5,
      "max_kwh": 100,
      "capacity_note": "5 to 100 kWh is nominal capacity ('between 5-100 kWh'); STCs are calculated on usable capacity, capped at the first 50 kWh. A group of batteries installed in one job counts as one unit; each must be at least 5 kWh and the combined nominal capacity no more than 100 kWh.",
      "eligibility_note": "One eligible battery per premises ('Only one solar battery system is eligible for STCs per premises'; one per NMI or commercial sub-meter if grid connected, one per dwelling if off-grid). Battery must be new, installed with a new or existing solar PV system of no more than 100 kW, on the CEC approved battery list, installed by an SAA accredited installer with battery endorsement, and the inverter it connects to must be VPP-capable if grid connected (or within 1 km of the grid for off-grid). Available to households, small businesses and community facilities; the discount is delivered as an upfront reduction via STCs assigned to the installer. No income test, no property value cap. The CER says the factor 'equates to around a 30% discount on the upfront cost'.",
      "next_step_down": "2027-01-01",
      "next_step_down_factor": 5.7,
      "worked_examples": {
        "10kwh": {
          "usable_kwh": 10,
          "install_period": "1 May 2026 to 31 December 2026 (STC factor 6.8)",
          "steps": [
            {
              "tier_kwh_from": 0,
              "tier_kwh_to": 14,
              "kwh_in_tier": 10,
              "share": 1.0,
              "factor": 6.8,
              "formula": "10 kWh x 1.0 x 6.8 = 68.0 STCs",
              "stcs_unrounded": 68.0
            }
          ],
          "stcs_unrounded": 68.0,
          "stcs_rounded_down": 68,
          "value_at_site_assumption": {
            "price_aud": 39.0,
            "formula": "68 STCs x $39.00 = $2,652.00",
            "aud": 2652.0
          },
          "value_at_spot_19_23_oct_2026": {
            "price_aud": 39.9,
            "formula": "68 STCs x $39.90 = $2,713.20",
            "aud": 2713.2
          },
          "value_at_clearing_house": {
            "price_aud": 40.0,
            "aud": 2720.0
          }
        },
        "14kwh": {
          "usable_kwh": 14,
          "install_period": "1 May 2026 to 31 December 2026 (STC factor 6.8)",
          "steps": [
            {
              "tier_kwh_from": 0,
              "tier_kwh_to": 14,
              "kwh_in_tier": 14,
              "share": 1.0,
              "factor": 6.8,
              "formula": "14 kWh x 1.0 x 6.8 = 95.2 STCs",
              "stcs_unrounded": 95.2
            }
          ],
          "stcs_unrounded": 95.2,
          "stcs_rounded_down": 95,
          "value_at_site_assumption": {
            "price_aud": 39.0,
            "formula": "95 STCs x $39.00 = $3,705.00",
            "aud": 3705.0
          },
          "value_at_spot_19_23_oct_2026": {
            "price_aud": 39.9,
            "formula": "95 STCs x $39.90 = $3,790.50",
            "aud": 3790.5
          },
          "value_at_clearing_house": {
            "price_aud": 40.0,
            "aud": 3800.0
          }
        },
        "20kwh": {
          "usable_kwh": 20,
          "install_period": "1 May 2026 to 31 December 2026 (STC factor 6.8)",
          "steps": [
            {
              "tier_kwh_from": 0,
              "tier_kwh_to": 14,
              "kwh_in_tier": 14,
              "share": 1.0,
              "factor": 6.8,
              "formula": "14 kWh x 1.0 x 6.8 = 95.2 STCs",
              "stcs_unrounded": 95.2
            },
            {
              "tier_kwh_from": 14,
              "tier_kwh_to": 28,
              "kwh_in_tier": 6,
              "share": 0.6,
              "factor": 6.8,
              "formula": "6 kWh x 0.6 x 6.8 = 24.48 STCs",
              "stcs_unrounded": 24.48
            }
          ],
          "stcs_unrounded": 119.68,
          "stcs_rounded_down": 119,
          "value_at_site_assumption": {
            "price_aud": 39.0,
            "formula": "119 STCs x $39.00 = $4,641.00",
            "aud": 4641.0
          },
          "value_at_spot_19_23_oct_2026": {
            "price_aud": 39.9,
            "formula": "119 STCs x $39.90 = $4,748.10",
            "aud": 4748.1
          },
          "value_at_clearing_house": {
            "price_aud": 40.0,
            "aud": 4760.0
          }
        }
      },
      "worked_examples_note": "Computed as usable kWh x tier share x STC factor, summed across tiers, rounded down to whole STCs, then multiplied by the price. Prices exclude GST. Actual installer discounts vary.",
      "source_urls": [
        "https://cer.gov.au/schemes/renewable-energy-target/small-scale-renewable-energy-scheme/small-scale-renewable-energy-systems/solar-batteries",
        "https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00093/asmade/2026-02-09/es/original/pdf",
        "https://www.rec-registry.gov.au/rec-registry/app/calculators/sgu-stc-calculator"
      ]
    }
  },
  "states": {
    "VIC": {
      "_priority_answer": {
        "question": "Is the Solar Victoria $1,400 solar panel (PV) rebate still open to new applicants on 27 October 2026?",
        "answer": "YES, open. It is not closed and not limited to low income or rental streams. It is available to owner-occupiers (income under $150,000, property under $3 million), homes under construction and rental properties, released in monthly allocations, and will close on 30 June 2027 when household solar PV support moves into the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.",
        "quotes": [
          {
            "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate",
            "text": "Solar panel rebates plus the option of an interest-free loan are available for eligible Victorians households. Solar panel (PV) rebates remaining this release: Last updated 27 October 2026, 11:17am"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate",
            "text": "Eligible households can receive a rebate of up to $1,400 towards the cost of installing solar panel (PV) systems. The solar panel (PV) rebate is also available for homes under construction and rental properties. You can reduce your upfront cost further by opting-in to an interest-free loan to match the rebate amount. More rebates are released each month."
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate",
            "text": "Changes to applying for a solar panel (PV) rebate from July 2027. The Victorian Government has announced that support for households to install solar PV will transition into the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program from 1 July 2027. Eligible households can continue to apply for the remaining solar PV rebates with the option of an interest-free loan, as detailed on this page."
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate",
            "text": "you are the owner-occupier of an existing property or the owner of a home under construction where the system is to be installed; combined household taxable income of all owners is less than $150,000 per year; value of the property is under $3 million (for an existing home or when construction is complete); property address has not previously received a solar panel (PV) or solar battery rebate under this program; the property address has not had a solar panel (PV) system installed in the last 10 years"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-support-continue-through-victorian-energy-upgrades-program",
            "text": "Solar support to continue through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program (Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 9:51 am): 'On Saturday 17 October, the Victorian Government announced that support for households to install solar PV will transition' into the VEU program, with 'current program arrangements remaining in place until 30 June 2027.' 'Eligible households can continue to apply for solar PV rebates with the option of an interest-free loan'. 'Solar Victoria will continue to administer existing solar PV interest-free loans and hot water rebates.' 'Further information about the new residential solar PV activity will be shared.'"
          },
          {
            "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-homes-program-continuing-provide-targeted-assistance",
            "text": "(29 May 2026) From 1 July 2026 the combined household income cap for PV (owner occupiers and rentals) and hot water rebates drops from $210,000 to $150,000 per year. Rebate values stay the same: up to $1,400 for a solar PV system plus an equivalent interest-free loan option."
          }
        ],
        "what_the_page_did_not_say": "The number of rebates remaining in the current monthly release is shown as an image/counter that cannot be read as text, so the count is null. The page carries no closure notice, no waitlist notice, and no restriction to specific streams."
      },
      "schemes": [
        {
          "name": "Solar Homes Program: solar panel (PV) rebate",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": "Up to $1,400 (up to 50 per cent of the purchase cost, calculated after STCs and other discounts)",
          "eligibility_note": "Owner-occupier of an existing property or owner of a home under construction; property has not previously received a Solar Homes PV or battery rebate; no PV system installed at the address in the last 10 years; must use an authorised solar retailer and listed products; install within 120 days of QR code (270 days for homes under construction). Rebates are released in monthly allocations. Solstice Energy gas-network customers are exempt from the income cap. Current arrangements remain until 30 June 2027; from 1 July 2027 household solar PV support moves to the Victorian Energy Upgrades program.",
          "income_test": "Combined household taxable income of all owners less than $150,000 per year (reduced from $210,000 on 1 July 2026)",
          "property_value_cap": "Property value under $3 million",
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "home under construction"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 (page header 'Last updated 27 October 2026, 11:17am', footer 'Updated 21 October 2026'). It says: 'Solar panel rebates plus the option of an interest-free loan are available for eligible Victorians households' and 'Eligible households can continue to apply for the remaining solar PV rebates with the option of an interest-free loan'. No closure or waitlist notice. The remaining-this-release counter is an image and could not be read.",
          "rebates_remaining_this_release": null,
          "closes": "2027-06-30",
          "successor": "Victorian Energy Upgrades residential solar PV activity from 1 July 2027 (details not yet published)"
        },
        {
          "name": "Solar Homes Program: solar panel (PV) interest-free loan",
          "type": "loan",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": "Up to $1,400 interest-free, matching the rebate; repaid monthly over 4 years ($1,400 = $29.17 per month); no collateral",
          "eligibility_note": "Offered in the PV rebate application; from 1 May 2026 you must select the loan when you apply. Paid to the retailer with the rebate; repayments begin 30 days after installation is approved. Same eligibility as the PV rebate.",
          "income_test": "As for PV rebate: combined household taxable income less than $150,000",
          "property_value_cap": "Property value under $3 million",
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "home under construction",
            "rental (landlord)"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "PV rebate page, 27 October 2026: 'You will be offered an interest-free loan of up to $1,400 in your application. From 1 May 2026, if you opt in for the loan, you must select it when you apply (no collateral is required).' The 21 October 2026 update says Solar Victoria 'will continue to administer existing solar PV interest-free loans'. There is no separate /interest-free-loans page (404)."
        },
        {
          "name": "Solar Homes Program: solar rebates for rental properties",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": "Up to $1,400 per property plus optional interest-free loan to match (repaid over 4 years, $29.17 per month if the renter contributes nothing); up to two rental properties per landlord per financial year",
          "eligibility_note": "Rental providers (landlords) installing solar on a property they rent out; renters must have a combined household taxable income of less than $150,000 per year; same authorised retailer and product rules as the PV rebate.",
          "income_test": "Renters' combined household taxable income less than $150,000 per year (no landlord income test stated)",
          "property_value_cap": "Property value under $3 million",
          "applies_to": [
            "rental"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-rebates-rental-properties",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 ('Last updated 27 October 2026, 11:17am'; footer 'Updated 7 July 2026'). Offers 'a rebate of up to $1,400' to eligible rental providers for up to two rental properties per financial year, 'an interest-free loan to match the rebate amount', renters' income 'less than $150,000 per year', 'value of the property is under $3 million'. Counter 'Solar panel rebates for rentals remaining this release' is an image. No closure notice.",
          "rebates_remaining_this_release": null
        },
        {
          "name": "Solar Homes Program: hot water rebate",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": "Up to $1,000 for eligible heat pump and solar hot water products; up to $1,400 for a locally made eligible product",
          "eligibility_note": "Owner-occupier of an existing property; replacing an existing hot water system; homes under construction are not eligible; must use listed products and an authorised retailer. 27,000 additional hot water rebates were announced for 2026-27 (29 May 2026 update).",
          "income_test": "Combined household taxable income of all owners less than $150,000 per year",
          "property_value_cap": "Property value under $3 million",
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/hot-water-rebate",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 ('Last updated 27 October 2026, 11:17am'; footer 'Updated 20 October 2026'): 'Hot water rebates of up to $1,000 are available for eligible heat pump and solar hot water products. If you select a locally made product, you could be eligible for a rebate of up to $1,400.' Remaining-this-release counter is an image. No closure notice."
        },
        {
          "name": "Solar Homes Program: solar battery interest-free loan",
          "type": "loan",
          "status": "closed",
          "amount": "Was an interest-free loan with repayments of up to $183.34 per month over 4 years",
          "eligibility_note": "No longer accepting applications. Solar Victoria points households to the Commonwealth Cheaper Home Batteries Program (opened 1 July 2025).",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-battery-loan",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 (footer 'Updated 16 April 2026'): 'Solar Victoria is no longer taking applications for interest-free loans for the installation of a solar battery system.' and 'The Commonwealth Government's Cheaper Homes Batteries Program opened on 1 July 2025.' The 2026-27 Notice to Market (section 1 overview) repeats: 'Solar Victoria is no longer taking applications for interest-free loans for the installation of a battery system.'"
        },
        {
          "name": "Solar for Apartments Program",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": "Up to $2,800 per household (up to $140,000 per property)",
          "eligibility_note": "Owners Corporations of apartment buildings, strata townhouses and units sharing a common rooftop, 3 to 50 occupiable lots (50 to 150 lots or taller than eight storeys may apply for an exemption). Applications open until 30 June 2027 or until funding runs out. Changes announced September 2026 removed the property value cap and expanded eligibility.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": "None (property value cap removed, September 2026 changes)",
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "rental",
            "owners corporation"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-apartments",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 (footer 'Updated 15 September 2026'): 'Rebates of up to $2,800 per household for eligible apartments, units and townhouses.' 'Applications now open until Tuesday 30 June 2027.' 'New program changes announced in September 2026 to remove the property value cap and expand eligibility.' The solar.vic.gov.au home page carries a 27 October 2026 news item about expanding Solar for Apartments; its text was not loaded."
        },
        {
          "name": "Commercial and industrial solar panel (PV) discount (delivered under Victorian Energy Upgrades)",
          "type": "incentive",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": null,
          "eligibility_note": "All Victorian businesses and non-residential sites (community buildings, schools, hospitals) installing 30 kW to 200 kW systems through VEU accredited providers; larger systems use the VEU project-based activity. Discount value is set by VEU certificates and not stated on the Solar Victoria page.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "business"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/commercial-and-industrial-solar-panel-pv-discount",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 (footer 'Updated 26 August 2026'): eligible are 'All Victorian businesses and non-residential sites, such as community buildings, schools and hospitals' for systems 'between 30 and 200 kilowatts in size'. Page says the discount 'is now helping businesses save on energy costs'; no explicit open/closed line and no dollar figure, so amount is null."
        },
        {
          "name": "Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) household discounts (hot water heat pumps, heating and cooling and other products)",
          "type": "incentive",
          "status": null,
          "amount": null,
          "eligibility_note": "Certificate-based discounts delivered by accredited providers. Solar Victoria's 21 October 2026 update says households 'can continue to take up VEU discounts on energy-saving products'. From 1 July 2027 a new residential solar PV activity will sit under VEU.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "rental",
            "business"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/victorian-energy-upgrades",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "NOT VERIFIED on 27 October 2026: energy.vic.gov.au returned HTTP 403 to every request from this environment, so product list, amounts and status are null. Mentioned only because Solar Victoria pages reference it."
        }
      ]
    },
    "NSW": {
      "schemes": [
        {
          "name": "Peak Demand Reduction Scheme: residential battery installation incentive (BESS1)",
          "type": "incentive",
          "status": "closed",
          "amount": null,
          "eligibility_note": "The NSW battery installation discount for home and business owners was suspended from 1 July 2025 because the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides a larger discount, and PDRS rules do not allow incentives for batteries that create STCs. A separate NSW business battery discount starts 1 September 2026 for batteries up to 50 kWh (BESS4, see VPP page). Households use the federal program instead.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "rental",
            "business"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/install-battery",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 ('Updated July 01, 2026'): 'Battery discount update. This NSW battery installation discount is no longer available for home and business owners.' 'The NSW Government's battery installation discount is being suspended as the Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program is providing a larger battery discount from 1 July 2025.' 'The current rules of the Peak Demand Reduction Scheme do not allow incentives for battery installations that generate certificates under the Australian Government's Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).' The official BESS1 fact sheet PDFs on energysustainabilityschemes.nsw.gov.au could not be downloaded (HTTP 503 / connection reset)."
        },
        {
          "name": "Peak Demand Reduction Scheme: virtual power plant (VPP) connection incentive (BESS2)",
          "type": "incentive",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": null,
          "eligibility_note": "Upfront payment (or instalments or bill credit) from a VPP provider for connecting a battery of more than 2 kWh and up to 50 kWh (eligibility widened to 50 kWh from 1 July 2026); the incentive depends on usable capacity made available to the grid up to 28 kWh; claimable once per NMI; cannot be claimed again by households who claimed between 1 November 2024 and 30 June 2025; not available off-grid or for apartment-building batteries; can be combined with the federal Cheaper Home Batteries discount and the NSW business battery discount from 1 September 2026; dollar value set by each VPP provider and not published by government.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "rental",
            "business"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/grants-rebates/household-energy-saving-upgrades/virtual-power-plant-vpp-incentive",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 ('Updated August 31, 2026'): 'From 1 July 2026, batteries with capacity up to 50 kWh are eligible for this incentive.' 'The upfront incentive you receive depends on the battery capacity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) made available to the grid, up to 28 kWh.' 'The incentive can be claimed once per National Metering Identifier (NMI)'. 'All households and small businesses in NSW with batteries may be eligible'. 'The following NSW Government battery discounts can be combined with this virtual power plant incentive: business battery discount from 1 September 2026 for batteries up to 50 kWh; home battery discount before 1 July 2025.' No dollar figure is given anywhere on the page, so amount is null."
        },
        {
          "name": "Home Energy Saver: zero-interest loan",
          "type": "loan",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": "Zero-interest loan of at least $2,000 and up to $15,000 per property, repayable over up to 10 years, for rooftop solar, batteries, insulation, heating and cooling and other eligible upgrades",
          "eligibility_note": "Homeowners and landlords; loans delivered by participating finance providers who assess eligibility from the owners' Notice of Tax Assessment; can be combined with federal incentives; strata properties eligible with owners corporation consent.",
          "income_test": "Combined taxable household income of up to $210,000 a year",
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "rental (landlord)"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/rebates-grants-and-schemes/home-energy-saver",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 ('Updated August 07, 2026'): 'Loan. Applications open now.' 'Homeowners and landlords with a combined taxable household income of up to $210,000 a year.' 'a zero-interest loan up to a maximum of $15,000, repayable over up to 10 years.' 'Home Energy Saver loans are open for applications.'"
        },
        {
          "name": "Home Energy Saver: discount",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": "waitlist",
          "amount": "Up to $4,000 off the cost of eligible energy saving upgrades (one discount per household; minimum customer contribution $200 or 10% of cost above $4,000)",
          "eligibility_note": "Homeowners and renters (renters need landlord approval); delivered only through the discount provider Creditex, which issues the quote; can be combined with other government incentives and with a Home Energy Saver loan for the balance.",
          "income_test": "Combined gross household income of up to $80,000 a year, or an eligible concession card",
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "rental"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/rebates-grants-and-schemes/home-energy-saver",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 ('Updated August 07, 2026'): 'Discount. Discount applications coming soon.' 'Homeowners and renters with a combined gross household income of up to $80,000 a year or an eligible concession card.' 'discounts up to $4,000 off the cost of eligible upgrades'. 'Applications for Home Energy Saver discounts are coming soon.' Status recorded as waitlist because applications are not yet open and the page invites sign-up for notification."
        },
        {
          "name": "Energy Savings Scheme: hot water upgrade incentive",
          "type": "incentive",
          "status": null,
          "amount": null,
          "eligibility_note": "Linked from the Home Energy Saver page as a related incentive (heat pump hot water discounts via accredited providers).",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "rental",
            "business"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.energy.nsw.gov.au/households/rebates-grants-and-schemes/home-energy-saver",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "NOT VERIFIED on 27 October 2026: only seen as a link title ('Hot water upgrade incentive') on the Home Energy Saver page; the incentive page itself was not read, so status and amount are null."
        }
      ]
    },
    "QLD": {
      "schemes": [
        {
          "name": "Battery Booster program",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": "closed",
          "amount": "Was $3,000 (combined taxable income $180,000 or less) or $4,000 (taxable income under $66,667) for a battery of 6 kWh or more with at least 5 kW of solar",
          "eligibility_note": "Closed to new conditional approval applications on 8 May 2024; no new round announced. Queensland households now use the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program.",
          "income_test": "Was means tested (see amount)",
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.epw.qld.gov.au/about/initiatives/battery-booster-program",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "The official program page (epw.qld.gov.au / energyandclimate.qld.gov.au) could not be loaded from this environment on 27 October 2026 (bot-protection redirect to treasury.qld.gov.au). Its indexed text reads: 'The Battery Booster program closed to new conditional approval applications on 8 May 2024.' The qld.gov.au householder page is indexed as marking the program closed with 'Rebates are no longer available.' Directly verified: Queensland Government ministerial statement of 14 April 2024 (https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/100109) giving the $3,000 / $4,000 amounts and eligibility. No Queensland Government page found announcing a reopening."
        },
        {
          "name": "Supercharged Solar for Renters",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": "Up to $3,500 per rental property to install rooftop solar",
          "eligibility_note": "Landlords (individual owners, not owner-occupiers) of an eligible Queensland rental (Class 1a dwelling, rented for $1,000 per week or less, individually metered, no existing solar) with a current tenancy and tenant consent; system at least 3 kW; conditional approval required before installation. Program expected to help about 6,500 households.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "rental (landlord)"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/home-energy-savings/supercharged-solar-for-renters",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 (last updated 4 March 2026): 'The Supercharged Solar for Renters program is now open.' 'The program, which opened on 12 December 2025' ... 'rebates of up to $3,500 to install solar on their rental properties.' Detailed eligibility (rent cap, 3 kW minimum) comes from the Queensland Government eligibility page and 12 December 2025 ministerial statement as indexed, not read in full."
        }
      ]
    },
    "SA": {
      "schemes": [
        {
          "name": "Home Battery Scheme",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": "closed",
          "amount": null,
          "eligibility_note": "The South Australian Home Battery Scheme (subsidy plus low-interest loan) is no longer offered; the Department for Energy and Mining 'Solar and batteries' consumer page lists no household battery or solar rebate.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.energymining.sa.gov.au/consumers/solar-and-batteries",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "The energymining.sa.gov.au site blocks direct requests (Cloudflare challenge). The 'Solar and batteries' page was read via a reader proxy on 27 October 2026: it describes only the Tesla/Energy Locals Virtual Power Plant ('With the support of the Government of South Australia', published 8 April 2022) and Dynamic Exports; it lists no Home Battery Scheme, rebate or loan. Closure date could not be read from a government page, so the amount is null."
        },
        {
          "name": "Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme (REPS): battery / VPP connection activity",
          "type": "incentive",
          "status": null,
          "amount": null,
          "eligibility_note": "REPS obliges large energy retailers to deliver approved energy productivity activities; third-party sites describe a retailer-delivered VPP connection incentive, but no government page stating the activity, dollar value or priority-group rules could be loaded.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "rental"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.escosa.sa.gov.au/industry/reps",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "ESCOSA REPS page read 27 October 2026: 'Through the REPS, obliged energy retailers support the delivery of approved energy productivity activities.' It names lighting, insulation, energy efficient appliances and 'other approved technologies'; it does not mention batteries, virtual power plants or dollar amounts. The energymining.sa.gov.au REPS page and ESCOSA activity pages returned 403/404. Status, amount and eligibility are therefore null; do not publish a REPS dollar figure from installer sites."
        }
      ]
    },
    "WA": {
      "schemes": [
        {
          "name": "WA Residential Battery Scheme: rebate",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": "Up to $1,300 for Synergy customers; up to $3,800 for Horizon Power customers (maximums based on 10 kWh of usable capacity)",
          "eligibility_note": "New approved VPP-capable battery installed by an accredited installer; must commit to participating in a Virtual Power Plant product offered by your electricity retailer; discount applied upfront by the installer; available until all planned 100,000 rebates are distributed (as of December 2025 expected to last until 2027). Page does not state owner-occupier, rental or business restrictions.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/energy-policy-wa/wa-residential-battery-scheme",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 ('Last updated: 15 October 2026'): 'Applications for rebates and loans under the WA Battery Scheme are now open.' '$1,300 for Synergy customers' '$3,800 for Horizon Power customers' 'The maximum rebate amounts are based on a useable battery capacity size of 10 kWh.' 'You must also commit to participating in a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) product offered by your electricity retailer'. 'The WA Residential Battery Rebate Scheme will be available until all planned 100,000 rebates have been distributed.' 'As of December 2025, it is currently expected to be available until 2027.' No per-kWh rate printed, so per_kwh is null.",
          "per_kwh_rate_aud": null,
          "vpp_required": true
        },
        {
          "name": "WA Residential Battery Scheme: no-interest loan",
          "type": "loan",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": "Up to $10,000, no interest, repayment periods up to 10 years; administered by Plenti",
          "eligibility_note": "Households taking a battery under the scheme (and solar installed alongside it); applicants are contacted by Plenti, the scheme's third-party administrator.",
          "income_test": "Combined annual household income of less than $210,000",
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/energy-policy-wa/wa-residential-battery-scheme",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read 27 October 2026 ('Last updated: 15 October 2026'): 'No-interest loans will also be available for up to $10,000 to households with a combined annual income of less than $210,000.' 'If applying for a no-interest loan you will be contacted by Plenti, The Scheme's third-party administrator.' State of Energy WA news (19 May 2026) says more than 5,000 households have used the loans and the scheme is 'still open for applications'."
        }
      ]
    },
    "TAS": {
      "schemes": [
        {
          "name": "Energy Saver Loan Scheme",
          "type": "loan",
          "status": "closed",
          "amount": "Was 0% loans of $500 to $10,000, fortnightly repayments over 1 to 3 years (Brighte)",
          "eligibility_note": "Closed 1 September 2025 after funding was exhausted; approved loans had to be settled and installed by 30 November 2025. Was available to Tasmanians for their principal place of residence, landlords with residential tenants, and small businesses and community organisations using under 150 MWh a year. No replacement Tasmanian household solar, battery or loan scheme found on recfit.tas.gov.au.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "rental (landlord)",
            "business"
          ],
          "url": "https://recfit.tas.gov.au/grants_programs/energy_saver_loan_scheme",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "recfit.tas.gov.au blocks direct requests (Cloudflare); page read via a reader proxy on 27 October 2026: 'The Energy Saver Loan Scheme has now closed, effective Monday, 1 September 2025 at 11:59 pm.' 'Approved loan applications must be settled and installations completed by 30 November 2025.' 'Finance amount: $500 - $10,000' 'Interest rate: 0%'. No last-updated date shown."
        }
      ]
    },
    "ACT": {
      "schemes": [
        {
          "name": "Sustainable Household Scheme (SHS) loan",
          "type": "loan",
          "status": "open",
          "amount": "Loan of $2,000 to $20,000 for new applicants from 1 July 2026 (households approved before 1 July 2026 keep a $15,000 lifetime cap); 3% interest, no establishment or account fees, up to 10 years, no early repayment penalty; provider Brighte",
          "eligibility_note": "ACT residents who own a home (or hold a driving licence for EV loans); must attend a free Everyday Climate Choices workshop and meet Brighte lending criteria. Eligible products include household battery storage, hot water heat pumps, evacuated tube solar hot water, heating and cooling, EVs and electric cargo bikes. Rooftop solar panels are NOT eligible under the general scheme (solar loans only for concession card holders via the Home Energy Support Program). Note: this is a low-interest (3%) loan, not interest-free.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-programs/sustainable-household-scheme",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "climatechoices.act.gov.au blocks direct requests (Cloudflare); page read via a reader proxy on 27 October 2026: 'If you're eligible, you can get a loan from $2,000 to $20,000.' 3% interest, 'You can repay the loan over up to 10 years.' Households that applied before 1 July 2026 'can access a maximum of $15,000 over the life of the scheme.' 'It's open to residents of the ACT who either own a home or hold a current driving licence'. Solar panels are not on the eligible list. No last-updated date shown.",
          "interest_rate_pct": 3.0
        },
        {
          "name": "Home Energy Support Program (HESP) rebates and zero-interest loan",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": null,
          "amount": "Up to $5,000 in rebates: 50% of cost up to $2,500 for rooftop solar, plus 50% up to $2,500 for other products combined (heating and cooling, hot water heat pumps, evacuated tube solar hot water, electric cooktops and ovens, ceiling insulation); plus a zero-interest loan of up to $10,000 through the Sustainable Household Scheme",
          "eligibility_note": "Owner-occupiers in the ACT holding an Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card, DVA Gold Card or Health Care Card; must attend a free Everyday Climate Choices workshop; property Unimproved Value must be at or below set thresholds (thresholds not captured). Renters not eligible. Batteries not listed.",
          "income_test": "Concession card based (Pensioner Concession Card, DVA Gold Card or Health Care Card)",
          "property_value_cap": "Unimproved Value threshold applies (figure not captured)",
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier"
          ],
          "url": "https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/hesp",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "Page read via a reader proxy on 27 October 2026: 'up to $5,000 in rebates for eligible homeowners'; 'one rebate of 50% of the total cost of the supply and installation, up to $2,500, of rooftop solar'; zero-interest loan up to $10,000; must 'own and live in the home where the product will be installed'. The page does not state whether applications are open or closed and shows no last-updated date, so status is null."
        }
      ]
    },
    "NT": {
      "schemes": [
        {
          "name": "Home and Business Battery Scheme (HBBS)",
          "type": "rebate",
          "status": "closed",
          "amount": "Was $400 per kWh of usable battery capacity up to a maximum grant of $12,000",
          "eligibility_note": "Closed to new grants after reaching its $6 million allocation (announced 10 June 2025); was open to NT homeowners, businesses and not-for-profit or community organisations via GrantsNT vouchers. No 2026 round found.",
          "income_test": null,
          "property_value_cap": null,
          "applies_to": [
            "owner-occupier",
            "business"
          ],
          "url": "https://nt.gov.au/industry/business-grants-funding/home-and-business-battery-scheme",
          "date_checked": "2026-10-27",
          "verification_note": "nt.gov.au blocks direct requests (Cloudflare) so the scheme page itself could not be read. Verified instead on NT Department of Mining and Energy news (https://dme.nt.gov.au/news/2025/home-and-business-battery-scheme-grants-fully-allocated, 'Published 10 June 2025'): the scheme is 'reaching its $6 million funding allocation and is now closed to new grants' and 'Eligible HBBS applicants received a grant of $400 per kilowatt hour of useable battery system capacity up to a maximum grant of $12,000.' The federal business.gov.au listing (https://www.business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/Home-and-Business-Battery-Scheme-NT) read 27 October 2026 says 'This grant is currently closed to applications' with the same $400/kWh and $12,000 figures.",
          "per_kwh_rate_aud": 400,
          "cap_aud": 12000
        }
      ]
    }
  },
  "null_fields_summary": [
    "federal.stc.price.typical_installer_pass_through_aud and pass_through_source_url: no sourced figure for installer pass-through found.",
    "federal.cheaper_home_batteries: the 1 July to 31 December 2025 STC factor is not shown on the current CER page and is not recorded.",
    "states.VIC PV rebate, rental rebate and hot water rebate: rebates_remaining_this_release is null (Solar Victoria renders the counter as an image).",
    "states.VIC Solar Homes PV loan / battery loan / apartments: income_test or property_value_cap null where the page did not state one.",
    "states.VIC commercial and industrial solar discount: amount null (page gives no dollar figure).",
    "states.VIC Victorian Energy Upgrades: status and amount null (energy.vic.gov.au returned 403).",
    "states.NSW BESS1: amount null (suspended for households; no dollar value published).",
    "states.NSW BESS2 VPP incentive: amount null (government page says the value depends on the VPP provider and prints no dollar figure).",
    "states.NSW hot water upgrade incentive: status and amount null (not read).",
    "states.QLD Battery Booster: the official program page could not be loaded (bot protection); closure wording taken from the indexed text of the government page and the 14 April 2024 ministerial statement.",
    "states.SA Home Battery Scheme: amount and closure date null (no readable government page).",
    "states.SA REPS battery/VPP incentive: status, amount, income_test null (no government page states the activity or value).",
    "states.WA rebate: per_kwh_rate_aud null (page prints only 10 kWh maximums); owner-occupier/rental/business scope not stated by the page.",
    "states.ACT HESP: status null (page does not say open or closed); Unimproved Value thresholds not captured.",
    "states.ACT SHS: no last-updated date on page."
  ]
}