The City is dedicated to enhancing energy efficiency and expanding the use of renewable energy. We also provide ongoing support and guidance to help our community transition to net zero emissions. From solar and battery rebates to practical workshops, toolkits and community grants. There are many ways to save money while supporting a sustainable future. Explore local and national programs that make clean energy more accessible and affordable and learn how the City is taking action on climate change.
Solar and battery incentives
Rebates
As of July 1, 2025, residents have access to several rebates and incentives to support the installation of solar panels and battery systems at home.
For more information about these programs visit the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and War's website.
Following is a summary of the key programs:
Federal Solar Rebate – Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
What it is: A national program that provides Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on the size and location of your solar system
How it helps: These STCs are usually applied as an upfront discount by your installer
Typical savings: Around $2,500–$3,700 for a standard 6.6kW system
Eligibility: Must use Clean Energy Council approved products and an accredited installer.
WA Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS)
What it is: A feed-in tariff program that pays you for excess solar energy exported to the grid
How it helps: DEBS encourages households to use, or store, solar energy in the middle of the day, when the South-West Interconnected system (the ‘grid’) is flooded with this renewable source of electricity.
Rates:
10 cents/kWh during peak times (3.00pm to 9.00pm)
2–3 cents/kWh during off-peak (9.00pm to 3.00pm).
- Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program
- Discount: Around 30% off the upfront cost of installing a small-scale battery system (e.g. $3,000 for a $10,000 battery system)
- Eligibility:
- 5 kWh to 100 kWh batteries from the approved Clean Energy Council (CEC) list
- Must be installed with a new, or existing, solar PV system by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited installer.
- WA Residential Battery Rebate and Loan Scheme
- Rebate: Up to $5,000 for Synergy customers
- Loan: Interest-free loans up to $10,000 for battery-only or solar + battery packages (available to households with combined income up to $210,000)
- Requirements: Battery must be at least 5kWh and Virtual Power Plant (VPP) ready
- Rollout: Begins 1 July 2025, with phased applications.
Discounts for residents and businesses - Switch Your Thinking
A sustainability initiative offering discounts on renewable solar, battery and energy-efficient products for City of Stirling residents and business.
View the document to see the full scope of discounts available.
Community grants
A funding program that supports community groups and individuals with projects that reduce waste, encourage reuse and recycling, promote sustainability, and protect or enhance the natural environment. Grants are also available for installing solar panels on community buildings.
For more information and to apply, visit the Community Grants Program page.
Workshops, toolkits and videos
The City, in partnership with Switch Your Thinking, is proud to offer a range of workshops designed to help you live greener, smarter and save money.
The workshops are hands-on, practical, and fun! They cover a wide range of topics including:
- Energy saving tips for households and businesses
- Understanding solar panels and batteries for your home
- Understanding electric vehicles (EVs)
- Planning your electrification transition – so you can maximise your renewable energy opportunity.
Workshops are held throughout the year at various community venues.
Keep an eye on the Living Green Program page or subscribe to Switch Your Thinking newsletter to learn when new workshops are released.
To help you complete a self-check of your energy use at home and learn about actions to reduce your energy use, a Home Energy Checklist is also available in English, Mandarin, Farsi, Croatian and Italian from your local Stirling Library. The Home Energy Checklist is also included in the home energy checklist.
The City has created an online video to help you complete your checklist at home. To view the video follow this link.
View the City's short on-demand energy videos here, covering topics:
- Energy basics – simple tips to save energy in your home
- Keeping it cool – prepare for summer by keeping the heat out
- Winter warmers – prepare for winter by keeping the heat in
- Hot water – tips on how to select the best hot water system for your needs
- Gardening to create a comfortable home – ideas on plant selection, design choices and seasonal changes
- Creating an all electric home – why go electric? What are the benefits?
Home energy toolkits
The City and Switch Your Thinking have two powerful resources to help you take control of your home’s energy use. Available to borrow from your local library (just like a book!), the kits include:
- A PowerMate Lite to measure electricity use and running costs of appliances (Switch your Thinking kit only)
- An infra-red thermometer to detect heat loss or gain in hard-to-reach areas
- Indoor/outdoor thermometers to assess comfort levels
- A multilingual Home Energy Checklist and instructional video to guide your audit.
City-led Action Plans
The City is committed to achieving 100 per cent renewable electricity supply by 2030 and a 70 per cent carbon emissions reduction target by 2030. This will ensure we are doing our bit to help Australia reach Paris Climate Agreement goals and limit the impacts of climate change.
Our priority is to reduce the consumption of grid-powered electricity on City infrastructure (i.e. City owned buildings) or replace it with renewable sources to decrease carbon emissions.
The City has shown a long-term commitment to climate change adaptation. The Climate Change Adaptation Plan, developed in 2013, identified key climate risks to the City’s services and operations and priority actions to reduce its exposure to those risks. Implementing the priority actions has helped the City to build climate resilience and be prepared for the more extreme climatic changes. Actions have included measuring and monitoring biodiversity, conserving water and energy, adjusting behaviour to avoid extreme temperatures and building infra-structure that will withstand more extreme storm and flooding events. The Plan is due for review in 2022 as part of the Sustainability Strategy development.
The Switched on Business Awards celebrate environmentally conscious businesses who have made great efforts to make their operations more sustainable. Twice a year, businesses in the City of Stirling can apply to the Switched on Business Awards to be celebrated for their efforts to reduce environmental impacts. Winners will receive a framed certificate which is presented by a Councillor from the local government at an official event. If you are the winner, your business will be acknowledged on the Switch Your Thinking website, Facebook and LinkedIn pages and the e-newsletters.
For more information, head to the Switched on Business page.
Helpful tools and resources
There are many online tools available to help decide what solar panels and battery systems are right for you.
Check out these resources:
Planning your solar system
How to buy the best solar panels for your home
Solar Panels, Inverter and Battery Perth & WA | Explore solar power for your home
Calculators to help you work out what size system your household needs
CHOICE Solar Estimator
Solar And Battery Calculator: See Your Savings And Payback
Choosing the right system
What Solar Panel And Inverter Brands Can You Trust?
Everything you need to know about batteries
Solar Batteries 101, Part 1 - Understanding Battery Systems
Solar Batteries 101, Part 2: Buying Battery Storage
Finding the right supplier
Find out which appliances are costing you the most.
Visit Synergy for energy saving tips and tricks.
Would you like to learn more about efficient appliances? The Energy Rating website has lots of advice to help you choose the right appliance for you.
Water heating uses a big portion of household energy. As systems need to be replaced every 5-10 years, be prepared by learning about efficient water heaters.
Would you consider switching your cooktop from gas to induction towards becoming ‘all electric’ in your home? Learn whether induction cooking is right for you.
Learn from local experts, Electrify Curtin Committee, how best to electrify your home.
For design advice for those building a new home, check out the guide to Low Carbon Residential Buildings and practical information from Switch your Thinking.
Sustainable Stirling is a local environmental group who work with the City to develop a sustainable, liveable environment for all residents.
Find out more on the Sustainable Stirling website.
To keep up to date on sustainability news, read about success stories from local government and learn about exciting opportunities and events coming up, subscribe to the Switch Your Thinking monthly e-newsletters.
