The framework that governs every new solar and battery install in Western Australia, in force since 1 May 2026. Three concurrent changes — federal, network, and retailer — all activated on the same day. This page explains how they fit together.
Last verified: 2026-01-31. Source data: data/wa-policy.json.
Synergy Battery Rewards activation credit
Federal STC factor (May–Dec 2026)
Tier 0 / 1 / 2 export caps (kW)
Capacity-based deeming. The first 14 kWh of usable capacity earn full STC entitlement; 14–28 kWh earns 60%; 28–50 kWh earns 15%. Above 50 kWh: nothing.
STC factor: 8.4× (Jan–Apr 2026) → 6.8× (May–Dec 2026). Step-down continues every January through 2030 when the program ends. STC price: $39.9/STC.
Western Power's technical procedure for small-user connections. Aggregate cap of 30 kVA below 1000 V. Single-phase inverters capped at 10 kVA. ESM mandatory for systems ≤5 kVA. Inverters must comply with AS/NZS 4777.2 (Australia B region) and the gateway/comms layer with SA HB 218:2023 (CSIP-AUS).
Battery charging restrictions: no grid charging 18:00–21:00, no discharging 10:00–15:00. Phase imbalance ≤5 kVA across phases.
70¢/kWh activation credit during dispatch events. Up to 30 events × 6 hours per year (≈2.5 hours average). Two-year contract, 95% availability target. Linked to the WA Residential Battery Scheme — opting into the rebate also opts into Battery Rewards.
Compatibility: CSIP-AUS compliant battery + on Synergy SSL + internet + export-monitoring device.
State-level rebate that stacks with federal STCs. Two flavours depending on retailer:
Combined federal + state on a 10 kWh battery: up to $5,000 (Synergy) or $7,500 (Horizon). No-interest loan also available up to $10,000 with a $210,000 income cap. Min capacity: 5 kWh. VPP + Battery Rewards opt-in is a precondition.
If you already have a non-hybrid solar inverter and want to add a battery, you have three options. The gateway requirement is the key compliance pivot.
Sungrow and Fronius support shared monitoring across paired inverters, which can satisfy whole-of-site compliance without a separate gateway.
Existing systems are grandfathered. No changes are required as long as you don't alter the installation.
Warranty replacements are exempt if like-for-like. Upgrading or extending the system pulls the whole site into the new framework, including export limits, equipment standards, and commissioning steps.
