Powering Business Grant Guidelines

Grants for battery or battery and solar projects based on the size and capacity of the system.

Battery and solar products must be listed on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved product list, be provided by eligible providers and installed by an appropriately accredited installer.

Solar panels and inverters are only eligible when purchased with accompanying battery storage.

This stream is designed to complement the Commonwealth Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

Grants of up to 50% are available for equipment or infrastructure upgrades that reduce business energy usage or costs. This could include, new refrigeration equipment, building insulation and lighting upgrades. A full list of eligible activities is provided at Appendix 1: Stream 2 Eligible Project Activities and Equipment List.

1. Hold a valid and active Australian Business Number (ABN)
2. Be a current electricity customer that is connected to the network
3. Be a small or medium South Australian Entity (including both businesses and not-for-profit organisations)
4. Have an Australia-wide grouped payroll not greater than $18 million in the financial year 2024-25 [note the information you provide with your application will be verified against information held by Revenue SA]
5. Have annual business turnover of $75,000 or more in the financial year 2024-25
6. Be registered for Goods and Services Tax (GST) at the time this funding round commenced [note: not-for-profit organisations with annual business turnover between $75,000 and $149,999.99 are able to apply if not registered for GST].
7. Not be a home-based business (i.e. operating primarily from the owner’s, or an employee’s residence); unless a separately metered bill can be provided for the business entity (i.e. must have a separate NMI to the residential property);
8. Not be an excluded entity;
9. Own or lease the business premises where any work or goods will be installed or used; and
10. Be able to provide matched funding of at least 50 per cent of eligible out-of-pocket costs.

If your business received a grant offer under Round 2 of the Business Growth Fund, you can apply for assistance under Round 3 for new projects or activities, or extensions of projects approved under Round 2.

To qualify for assistance under this stream, your purchase(s) must be from the following list:

• Install battery storage systems for renewable energy (includes inverter and battery management service); or

• Install solar panels with accompanying battery storage (i.e. solar panels and inverters are only eligible when purchased with accompanying battery storage)

Grant value that is the lesser of:

(a) Amount per kilowatt (kW) (solar system capacity) and kilowatt-hour (kWh) (battery nominal capacity), as set out below, noting minimum grant value of $2,500, and up to $75,000 (combined):

• Battery - $300 per kWh (including inverter and battery management system)

• Solar - $250 per kW (including inverter)

OR

(b) 50 per cent of eligible out-of-pocket business expenditure from $5,000 up to $150,000 (excluding GST, excluding third party contributions or rebates and inclusive of the business’ financial contribution).

Grant calculation represents maximum agreed grant value which may be adjusted at the time of reimbursement to the lesser of a) or b) above.

• Eligible battery and solar systems will need to meet your current business energy requirements and be proportionate to your businesses energy needs – as evidenced by six months prior energy bills / electricity usage [note: grants can be used to replace existing and less efficient solar panels and/or battery storage that are at the end of their useful life and to the extent new systems will meaningfully reduce energy bills and grid electricity usage].

• Battery and solar products must be listed on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved product lists (battery list/solar list).

• Battery and solar systems must be supplied by eligible providers and installed by an appropriately accredited installer.

• Applicant should confirm with the supplier if additional SA Power Networks fees or other fees and charges apply, that are not part of the project but may impact project success.

To qualify for assistance under this stream, your purchase(s) must be from the list contained in Appendix 1: Stream 2 Eligible Project Activities and Equipment List

For Energy Efficiency projects (excluding solar/battery – refer Stream 1) the government will provide up to 50 per cent matched funding through reimbursement of eligible out-of-pocket business expenditure from $5,000 up to $150,000 (excluding GST, excluding third party contributions or rebates and inclusive on of the business’ financial contribution).

Project expenditure that exceeds the first $150,000 (excluding GST) will not be eligible for grant funding. The maximum grant value is $75,000, which must be matched with the same contribution from the eligible applicant.

For example:

• If you spend $5,000, you may be eligible for a grant of $2,500.

• If you spend $150,000 or more, you may be eligible for a grant up to $75,000.

Nil

Eligible project expenditure considered for funding must be:

A direct cost of the project. This can include costs relating to:

(a) delivery
(b) installation and commissioning costs
(c) decommissioning
(e) removal and disposal of old equipment
(f) professional service providers such as designers, engineers and technical consultants.

Assistance will not be provided for costs incurred for any of the following:

• Work completed by the applicant, an employee of the applicant, or a Related Entity.

• Equipment purchases that are:
  (a) not related to or used for the current operations of the business (including obsolete equipment)
  (b) not related to improving the energy efficiency of the business (e.g. equipment for domestic use or that is primarily for another type of activity at your site)
  (c) televisions, entertainment systems, laptops, computers and associated equipment
  (d) used or second-hand equipment
  (e) vehicles (new or used) including electric vehicle chargers
  (f) equipment with an energy efficiency rating of less than 4 of 6 stars, where energy ratings are applied
  (g) unrelated to energy efficiency improvements.

• Solar panels installed without battery storage

• Solar and/or battery projects where the primary objective is to sell energy back to the grid i.e. large-scale solar energy generation and solar farms

• Project development costs such as early-stage feasibility studies, business case development, due diligence, proofs of concept or quotations

• Ongoing operating and overhead costs including, but not limited to, wages and salaries, recruitment, training and mentoring, procurement fees, rent or other property costs, maintenance and repair costs, utilities, vehicles, furniture

• Costs associated with switching from electricity to gas

• Financing, interest and insurance

• Costs of preparing an application (including obtaining required evidence) under this Program

• Costs incurred or committed (i.e. deposit paid or order placed) prior to the application being approved and the grant offer accepted. Expenditure should not be incurred or committed until after an application has been approved and a grant agreement has been formally executed.

Applicants must provide the following as part of their application:

• their ABN

• a Certificate of Currency for any business insurance policy [if the business does not have an insurance policy, the form will give the applicant the option to provide their most recent Business Activity Statement issued by the ATO]

• evidence of 2024-25 annual business turnover greater than $75,000, being any of the following:
  (a) business tax return for 2024-25; or
  (b) business activity statements covering the full financial year 2024-25; or
  (c) financial reports/statements (including profit and loss) certified by a registered tax agent

• if you are registered for payroll tax (including not-for-profit organisations), evidence of grouped payroll of less than $18 million [Note the information you provide with your application will be verified against information held by Revenue SA]

• copies of energy bills covering the previous six months demonstrating a consistent charge for energy usage at the business operating premises

• a copy of the business’ bank statement where the reimbursement will be paid. This must show the bank name and logo, business’ bank account name(s), BSB and account number

• if applying as a trustee for a trust, a business bank statement displaying the account name of the trust and trustee, or a copy of the trust deed including the signature page and annexure that outlines the relationship between the trust and trustee, or a declaration from a registered tax agent that demonstrates a connection between the trust and the trustee

• if your project relates to a new business premises, evidence that the new business premises is in the name of the applicant (e.g. rates notice, utility bill, lease agreement, certificate of title)

• at least one quote from a third-party provider for each of the proposed goods to be purchased or work(s) to be undertaken at the applicant’s approved business premises (including pricing and evidence of energy efficiency rating, where applicable)

• for unique projects submitted under Category 9 of Appendix 1, additional information will be sought as outlined in the application form, including (but not limited to) energy source, usage rates, power rating and details of equipment being replaced/upgraded

• if an Australian Company Number (ACN) is involved in the business structure, details for the ACN must be provided; and

• for businesses on an embedded network applying together - all of the above evidence requirements must be met by all businesses.

You may be required to provide additional evidence at the request of the Department to determine your eligibility. Applications may also be subject to third-party review / assessment.

While applicants may express a preference for a particular provider (including retailer, supplier or installer) in their application, the Treasurer and their delegate(s) may direct an applicant to purchase goods or services with a different provider as a condition of any grant at their discretion or on the recommendation of the Office of the Technical Regulator or other parties engaged for assurance purposes.

Eligible equipment requiring installation must be installed by a licensed contractor qualified under relevant South Australian laws and holding a current South Australian Trade Licence.

For installations relation to Stream 1 applications (Solar & Battery Projects) systems must be installed by an appropriately accredited installer.

After an electrical, gas or plumbing tradesperson completes work on your property, by law they must issue you with an electronic Certificate of Compliance (eCoC). As part of your reimbursement claim, you are required to provide an eCOC: https://www.energymining.sa.gov.au/industry/regulatory-services/office-of-the-technical-regulator/electronic-certificates-of-compliance-ecoc

The certificate must confirm that the eligible items have been installed, connected and are operational at the approved business premises.

Failure to provide a valid certificate may result in the claim being declined.

For all new solar / battery installations (where a solar system is not already connected) you will need approval to connect to the SA Power Networks (SAPN) distribution network.

eCOC’s may be verified by the Office of the Technical Regulator and must match the records lodged by the contractor.

The installation address must match the approved business premises address in the application form to be eligible to claim the reimbursement.

• Complete and submit an online application form (when applications are open)

*Note: Applications are processed in the order in which they are submitted and received.

• On receipt of a completed application, the Department will seek to verify that you have met the relevant eligibility criteria, including with relevant agencies and third parties. You may be contacted for further information, if required, and may be directed to obtain an additional quote from a different supplier/provider).

• Upon verification that your application is successful, you will be sent an offer to enter into a grant agreement, which outlines the terms and conditions on which any grant funding will be provided.

• You must execute the grant agreement, which will specify an upper limit to the grant amount, before purchasing any good or services.

*Note: should you incur costs beyond the agreed grant value or in addition to the approved items, the additional expenditure or items will not be eligible for reimbursement; and

• If the grant offer is not accepted within ten (10) business days of an offer being made to you, your application may be withdrawn without further notice to you.

Applications that are incomplete and/or unsubmitted will not be considered or approved (either before or after the application close date).

Applications cannot be submitted on behalf of applicants by providers, industry or consultants. Applications must be submitted by the business owner(s)/director(s), or an authorised person of the organisation. When submitting an application, or accepting a grant agreement, you will need to make a declaration that you are the applicant / authorised by the applicant / have complied with these requirements.

• Following execution of a grant agreement, you can proceed to purchase the approved goods or services from an eligible provider.

You must complete all purchases of goods and services, including installation, testing and commissioning (where applicable), prior to submitting your claim for reimbursement.

• To claim reimbursement, you must complete and submit a reimbursement form, which will be provided to you.

• Reimbursement will be provided following the provision of:
  (a) valid supplier tax invoice(s) – these must include the business name, purchase date, purchase price and description of goods/services purchased to the satisfaction of the Treasurer or their delegate
  (b) proof of payment (e.g. remittance advice, supplier invoice with zero balance, bank transfer payment receipt)
  (c) an electronic Certificate of Compliance for installations, where required
  (d) for all new solar / battery installations, where a solar system is not already connected, a copy of the approval from SAPN to connect to its distribution network.

• On receipt and acceptance of the above information, you will be sent confirmation by email of the verified reimbursement claim amount (up to the maximum grant value) and a request to invoice the Department for payment of that amount. The grant will be paid into the nominated business bank account within 15 days.

• Claims for reimbursement must be made within 6 months from the date the Grant Agreement and Acceptance Form is sent to you.

The Program grant offer is based on information and evidence you provided in your application.

We understand that over the course of the assessment and 6-month reimbursement periods, the products or services may no longer be available exactly according to the application you submitted; or you may have identified a more cost effective or suitable item before committing the expenditure.

While the product or item can be changed for a ‘like-for-like’ item (i.e. the same item but a different brand/model through the same or an alternate supplier), the item must be equivalent to the approved activity.

We encourage you to seek advice from the Department prior to purchasing an alternate product/item, to confirm reimbursement eligibility.

For more expensive or larger projects, the grant amount stipulated in the grant agreement will not be increased. For solar and/or battery projects, the grant will only be paid up to the agreed system kW and/or kWh as outlined in the grant offer.

For less expensive or smaller projects, the grant value will be adjusted accordingly using the rates/methodology set out in these guidelines.