Solar Citizens strongly welcomes the announcement by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen that will better enable businesses, farmers, community centres and public buildings to install big rooftop solar systems.
Chris Bowen announced the expansion of the successful rooftop solar and battery rebate, the Small Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, to include rooftop solar installations up to 1 megawatt in size, in his National Press Club address today.[1]
Currently the subsidy scheme cuts out at a tenth of this size at 100 Kilowatts.
“Removing barriers and increasing incentives for big commercial and public roofs to install large solar systems is a huge opportunity to cut energy costs for businesses and community organisations, and to bring down wholesale electricity prices and energy bills for everyone,” said Solar Citizens Senior Campaigner Alia Armistead.
“Large commercial, industrial and public roofs are a massive missing piece in our renewable energy capacity. Reports by Nexa Advisory [2] and the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis [3] assessed that there is massive potential while less than 6GW currently installed.
“Filling these big roofs with solar panels will save businesses money on their electricity bills, and push down wholesale prices for all within existing network capacity.
New modelling by Nexa Advisory estimates that commercial and industrial (C&I) consumer energy resources, including rooftop solar and batteries, could deliver up to $39.7 billion in gross energy-system benefits every year.[4]
Nexa’s analysis identifies the technical potential for 63.3 GW of C&I rooftop solar and 28.7 GW of battery capacity across Australia, substantially more than the approximately 4 GW of C&I rooftop solar installed today.
Nexa Advisory CEO Stephanie Bashir said: ‘Commercial and industrial energy remains the missing middle of Australia’s transition.’
‘These projects can be delivered quickly, on existing buildings, and close to where electricity is consumed. That means more clean energy and flexible capacity without waiting for every major generation and transmission project to be completed,’ said Ms Bashir.’
Solar Citizens has engaged Nexa Advisory to research and develop a local government-led model for sharing rooftop solar generated on large commercial and public roofs with nearby residents through Urban Renewable Energy Zones.
“This is a pathway for businesses to share cheap, clean rooftop solar with neighbouring apartments and renters who are currently locked out. Providing incentives and removing barriers for businesses to install rooftop solar is critical for creating Urban Renewable Energy Zones,” said Ms Armistead.
“Solar Citizens also welcomes Minister Bowen’s proposed rule change for the ‘Australian Energy Market Commission to require the network providers to approve commercial and industrial solar much more expeditiously and efficiently than they have been doing,” concluded Ms Armistead.
NOTES
[1] Farmers, businesses to save on solar installations under renewable energy scheme expansion, ABC 4 August, 2026
[2] Untapped Potential of Commercial & Industrial Energy Resources in the NEM, Nexa Advisory September, 2026
[3] Unlocking the clean energy potential of Australian business rooftops, IEEFA, June 2026
[4] Unlocking the benefits of C&I rooftop solar and batteries, Nexa Advisory, August 2026