The “missing middle” has been the buzzword in the renewable energy sector for sometime. To understand it, let us take you to the day it was first coined.
On 5th August 2026, Federal government’s minister for climate change and energy announced that the businesses in Australia will now be able to claim (from 1st October 2026) STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates) on solar installation/upgradations under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), thereby enabling them to slash upfront cost of commercial solar systems by ~20 percent.
The missing middle are the commercial and industrial buildings having large rooftops still not tapped for solar power generation, which sits between residential rooftops (which have been exploited well for solar) and utility scale solar stations (e.g. solar farms).
Why SRES coverage was raised from 100kW to 1MW?
The Federal government minister termed commercial and industrial rooftops as the missing middle because they are mid-scale capacity solar systems having potential to generate over 80 gigawatts (GW) of electricity and supply at least 25% of Australia’s annual electricity use.
The expansion of SRES from 100kw to 1MW has now enabled businesses (esp warehouses, agriculture/farms, schools, hospitals, retail, manufacturing and community organisations) to drastically lower their energy costs and funnel the energy savings into business growth and expansion.
When a business installs 250kW Clean Energy Regulator (body responsible for regulating SRES scheme) compliant solar system, it would attract about $68,000 discount on retail cost of the solar unit and generate about 345MWh power in a year – cutting electricity cost by around 50,000 annually.
Similarly, a 500 kW solar system would now be eligible for $136,000 off and 850kW solar PV system installation capable of generating 1,173 MWhs of electricity would save about $175,000 a year on energy costs.
How does it work?
Under the SRES, when a homeowner or business installs a solar system, the business/homeowner gets an upfront rebate for clean energy the solar unit is expected to generate over a number of future years (called deeming period/years).
This upfront credit is issued in the form of STCs, which can be sold or traded in the energy market to effectively discount the cost of solar system and installation.
The SRES is a phase-down scheme which will end in 2030. As 2030 approaches, there are fewer deeming years left for STC generation. For example, a solar system installed in 2026 might get a shorter deeming period than one installed in 2020. A shorter deeming period means fewer STCs, which translates to smaller upfront discount.
However, the solar systems of 100kw to 1MW capacity installed under SRES will not be subjected to the same deeming period.
The new mid-scale (100kw-1MW) solar systems will get a fixed 5-year deeming period, regardless of what year they’re installed. So, a business installing a mid-scale solar system even in 2029 will be entitled to a 5-year deeming period for STC generation.
The rest of the regulations of commercial solar system installation of above 100kw capacity are being made and from 1st October 2026, the businesses can apply for any solar system having capacity between 100kw to 1MW under SRES.
The Step-by-Step Process
First, you need to select a rooftop solar system depending on energy usage at your facility, budget, payback period and location of the building (weather pattern and duration of sun exposure).
Next step is to reach out to a SAA (Solar Accreditation Australia)-accredited solar system installer as the solar system must be installed by a SAA accredited designer/installer using CEC (Clean Energy Council) approved PV modules and inverters that are listed on the CEC approved product registry and the unit meet Australian standards.
After the installation is done, the SAA accredited installer must submit a formal Distribution Network Service Provider (DNSP) connection application to the energy grid operator. The network operators will assess solar energy export limits and transformer capacity before granting permission to connect to the grid.
Next step is to assign STC generation rights to the SAA accredited installer who has done the installation. You need to sign an STC assignment form to transfer the rights to create STCs to your solar installer. In return for the assignment of STC creation rights, the installer will deduct the total STC monetary value directly from the final payable installation invoice.
The installer will also share a Certificate of Electrical Safety (CoES) and submit the documentation to the Clean Energy Regulator’s REC Registry portal.
Why choose us for commercial solar installations of >100kW capacity systems?
For businesses scaling beyond 100kW, upfront cost is often the biggest barrier — which is why iPromise Australia partners with 28Watt green-loan brokers to structure finance for larger systems. We model your projected bill savings against loan repayments, so the system can effectively pay for itself through the electricity it generates. Depending on your energy bills and loan terms, most commercial clients see a 3–5 year finance pathway to full repayment.
Accreditations for Larger-Scale Projects
Installing a system above 100kW means working with a provider who meets the highest industry standards. iPromise Australia holds the following accreditation:
- New Energy Tech Approved Seller
- VEU Approved Accredited Provider
- Engineers Australia recognition
- Solar Accreditation Australia certification
- Energy Safe Victoria accredited
These accreditations ensure your mid-to-large-scale installation meets rigorous safety, engineering and quality benchmarks — critical when you’re investing in a system this size.
Fast Turnaround
We know that for solar installations on commercial rooftops, downtime costs money. Our streamlined process is built to minimise disruption even as system size — and complexity — increases:
- A 100kW system is typically installed in around 6 weeks.
- Larger systems approaching 1MW are scoped and staged carefully, with timelines tailored to site complexity, grid connection requirements and equipment availability.We work closely with your team from planning through to commissioning to keep the project on schedule.
Proven Results on Commercial-Scale Systems
- A food manufacturer in Thomastown installed a 100kW system with Trina Solar panels and Fronius inverters, saving $18,000 annually on electricity.
- A retail company in Dandenong installed a 150kW system with Jinko Solar panels and Sungrow inverters, achieving $35,000 in annual savings and recouping their investment in under three years.