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This op-ed, written by Electric Transportation Director Stan Cross, was originally published by Drive Electric Florida on March 18, 2025.

These days, it is easy to forget that an EV is not political. It is just a cheaper, cleaner car that can get you wherever you need to go, including a 1,400-mile road trip to Florida!

I’ve been driving an electric vehicle (EV) for over a decade, and one of the most consistent questions I get asked by non-EV drivers is whether I can take my EV on a road trip. The answer is, heck yeah! Newer EVs offer more extended range and can charge quickly at an ever-expanding network of public fast-charging stations.

My wife and I recently took a 1,400-mile road trip in our 2022 Tesla Model Y from our home in Weaverville, North Carolina, to Dunnellon, Florida. We stayed on the Rainbow River and day-tripped to other kayaking adventures, including in the remote Juniper Prarie Wilderness and along the Silver River. After soaking up the beauty of some of Florida’s most spectacular spring-fed rivers, we headed to Orlando, where I helped my colleagues at the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy facilitate a convening of local government participants in the Electrify the South Collaborative, assisting municipalities to overcome challenges and seize opportunities to electrify transportation.

On the Open Road

The driving experience was flawless. Our Tesla’s range is 330 miles, and it can charge at 250kW, which in lay terms means really freaking fast. On our round trip from the mountains of western North Carolina along interstates 26 and 95, Florida 301, 40, and the Turnpike, we stopped at public fast chargers seven times or about every 200 miles. We utilized the Tesla Supercharger network, which provides fast, convenient, and reliable charging. On average, it took ten minutes at each stop to charge up. The charging stops gave us time to use the bathroom, which, truth be told, our bladders would have required us to pull off the road even if we were in a gas car. So, the additional drive time in the EV instead of a gas car was negligible.

If you do not drive an EV, you may be surprised that our charging stops averaged only ten minutes. On a road trip, you stop to charge when the EV has about 20% battery capacity. You charge the battery to about 60% and quickly get on your way. You only charge to 60% because most EVs charge very fast to that point and then begin slowing the charge rate down to protect long-term battery performance. Hence, you will reach your destination faster by not filling up your battery. It’s counterintuitive, I know.

Newer EVs calculate charging stops when you map your trip through the car’s navigation system, so you do not have to worry about figuring that out! And there is good news regarding EV charging across the Southeast; in 2024, public EV charging grew 30% across the region, bringing the total number of road-trip-enabling fast chargers to 8,843. These chargers are located along major highways at locations such as gas stations, supermarkets, visitor centers, and truck stops.

Enjoying the Destination

Road-tripping is also about enjoying the destination. We arrived in Dunnellon with 25% battery capacity remaining, which was no problem because EVs come with a portable charger that you can plug into a standard 110-volt wall outlet. So, after eating yummy fish tacos in town, we returned to our vacation rental, plugged into an exterior outlet within reach of the driveway, and let the car slowly charge overnight while we slept. By morning, we had 75% capacity, which gave us plenty of range to drive 120 miles roundtrip to Juniper Creek in the Ocala National Forest. We plugged in at our rental again that night to enable our 75-mile round-trip adventure to Silver River the following day.

We would have used a convenient fast-charging site in Ocala without access to slow charging at our rental. However, public fast chargers cost money, typically equivalent to around $2.50/gallon gasoline. The electricity we used for slow charging at our rental was included in the rental price. Sometimes, EV fuel is free! For the rental owners, charging our EV the three nights we stayed consumed about as much electricity as if we had washed and dried three loads of laundry. Because slow charging at home is so inexpensive, providing charging access was a win-win for us and the vacation rental owner.

An EV for EVery Job

An EV can do anything a gas car can, and there is a best EV for every job. We use the Tesla Model Y when we drive long distances, go camping, and need all-wheel drive, such as in snowy winter conditions in the mountains where we live. But we also own a used 2018 Chevy Bolt that we love. The Bolt costs half as much as the Model Y, but its range is less, and its charging speed is five times slower. That said, it is the perfect car for 80% of our driving needs.

I am telling you this because the average two-car family can go all-electric without buying two more expensive, longer-range EVs; you can buy a cheaper one for all your around-town needs. Using a strategy like this will maximize your savings. In my wife’s and my case, we drive a combined average of 25,000 miles annually. We save about $3,000 per year driving on cheap electricity instead of expensive gas and avoiding oil changes; the only regular maintenance on our EVs over the past decade has been tires and wiper blades. Those savings pay for vacations like our one to Florida, or, to look at it another way, over six years, we save $18,000, which is what we paid for the Bolt, making it a free car. Plus, we have cut our transportation climate pollution by 75%, which is significant given that transportation is the leading sector of climate pollution in the US.

With all the current political noise about EVs, it is important to remember that the experience of owning one is fantastic. An EV is not political; it is just a car that is cheaper and cleaner to drive and can get you wherever you need to go. But don’t take my word for it; ask any of the 399,408 Floridians who have bought an EV, and they will likely agree that once you kick gas, there is no going back.

The post Road Trips are Great in Electric Vehicles appeared first on SACE | Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

Road Trips are Great in Electric Vehicles

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North Sea Summit Commits to 100 GW Offshore Wind

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January 26, 2026

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Weather Guard Lightning Tech

North Sea Summit Commits to 100 GW Offshore Wind

Allen covers Equinor’s Hywind Tampen floating wind farm achieving an impressive 51.6% capacity factor in 2025. Plus nine nations commit to 100 GW of offshore wind at the North Sea Summit, Dominion Energy installs its first turbine tower off Virginia, Hawaii renews the Kaheawa Wind Farm lease for 25 years, and India improves its repowering policies.

Sign up now for Uptime Tech News, our weekly newsletter on all things wind technology. This episode is sponsored by Weather Guard Lightning Tech. Learn more about Weather Guard’s StrikeTape Wind Turbine LPS retrofit. Follow the show on YouTube, Linkedin and visit Weather Guard on the web. And subscribe to Rosemary’s “Engineering with Rosie” YouTube channel here. Have a question we can answer on the show? Email us!

There’s a remarkable sight in the North Sea right now. Eleven wind turbines, each one floating on water like enormous ships, generating electricity in some of the roughest seas on Earth.

Norwegian oil giant Equinor operates the Hywind Tampen floating wind farm, and the results from twenty twenty-five are nothing short of extraordinary. These floating giants achieved a capacity factor of fifty-one point six percent throughout the entire year. That means they produced power more than half the time, every single day, despite ocean storms and harsh conditions.

The numbers tell the story. Four hundred twelve gigawatt hours of electricity, enough to power seventeen thousand homes. And perhaps most importantly, the wind farm reduced carbon emissions by more than two hundred thousand tons from nearby oil and gas fields.

Production manager Arild Lithun said he was especially pleased that they achieved these results without any damage or incidents. Not a single one.

But Norway’s success is just one chapter in a much larger story unfolding across the North Sea.

Last week, nine countries gathered in Hamburg, Germany for the North Sea Summit. Belgium, Denmark, France, Britain, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and their host Germany came together with a shared purpose. They committed to building one hundred gigawatts of collaborative offshore wind projects and pledged to protect their energy infrastructure from sabotage by sharing security data and conducting stress tests on wind turbine components.

Andrew Mitchell, Britain’s ambassador to Germany, explained why this matters now more than ever. Recent geopolitical events, particularly Russia’s weaponization of energy supplies during the Ukraine invasion, have sharpened rather than weakened the case for offshore wind. He said expanding offshore wind enhances long-term security while reducing exposure to volatile global fossil fuel markets.

Mitchell added something that resonates across the entire industry. The more offshore wind capacity these countries build, the more often clean power sets wholesale electricity prices instead of natural gas. The result is lower bills, greater security, and long-term economic stability.

Now let’s cross the Atlantic to Virginia Beach, where Dominion Energy reached a major milestone last week. They installed the first turbine tower at their massive offshore wind farm. It’s the first of one hundred seventy-six turbines that will stand twenty-seven miles off the Virginia coast.

The eleven point two billion dollar project is already seventy percent complete and will generate two hundred ten million dollars in annual economic output.

Meanwhile, halfway across the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii is doubling down on wind energy. The state just renewed the lease for the Kaheawa Wind Farm on Maui for another twenty-five years. Those twenty turbines have been generating electricity for two decades, powering seventeen thousand island homes each year. The new lease requires the operator to pay three hundred thousand dollars annually or three point five percent of gross revenue, whichever is higher. And here’s something smart: the state is requiring a thirty-three million dollar bond to ensure taxpayers never get stuck with the bill for removing those turbines when they’re finally decommissioned.

Even India is accelerating its wind energy development. The Indian Wind Power Association welcomed major amendments to Tamil Nadu’s Repowering Policy last week. The Indian Wind Power Association thanked the government for addressing critical industry concerns. The changes make it significantly easier and cheaper to replace aging turbines with modern, more efficient ones.

So from floating turbines in the North Sea to coastal giants off Virginia, from island power in Hawaii to policy improvements in India, the wind energy revolution is gaining momentum around the world.

And that’s the state of the wind industry for the 26th of January 2026.

Join us tomorrow for the Uptime Wind Industry Podcast.

North Sea Summit Commits to 100 GW Offshore Wind

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God’s Proud of Trump?

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3 days ago

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January 24, 2026

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Based on the polls, we can see that most of the American people have a seething hatred of Trump, but at least God thinks he’s done a good job.

God’s Proud of Trump?

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Renewable Energy

Maximise Government Rebates for Commercial Solar in 2026

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4 days ago

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January 23, 2026

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If you live in Australia, you might have heard the rumours that commercial solar rebates are being phased out.

Just got thinking if your business has missed its chance to cash in on government support?

Hold on! Let’s set the record straight: the government rebates and incentives are still active, and in 2026, they’re more strategic than ever.

Australia remains a global leader in rooftop solar, but the rules of the game have evolved. It’s no longer just about covering your roof with solar panels and exporting cheap power to the grid.

In 2026, the smart move is pairing commercial solar with battery storage, demand management, and tax planning to maximise savings and control when and how your business uses energy.

From small cafes and warehouses to large manufacturing facilities and corporate headquarters, businesses of all sizes can still unlock substantial rebates, tax incentives, and funding opportunities.

The main goal is to understand how the current program works and how to stack them correctly before the rebates end.

Therefore, this guide breaks down how to maximise government rebates for commercial solar in 2026 in Australia, so you can slash power bills, boost energy independence, and make every incentive dollar count.

Let’s dive in!

In this blog post:

Understand the Federal Government’s Core Incentive Options

At the national level, Australia’s federal government continues to support commercial solar through several key programs. The rebate program includes:

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)

This is one of the most popular commercial solar rebates across Australia. Under the SRES, eligible solar systems that are up to 100 kW generate Small-scale Technology Certificates.

These certificates are tradable and provide upfront discounts when you install solar. Your installer usually handles the paperwork, and the value is passed as a discount during installation.

Why does this matter for business owners?

STCs can directly reduce your upfront costs by tens of thousands, making solar a much more affordable long-term investment. This might sound exciting to many. But act sooner rather than later.

Why?

Because the value of STCs gradually decreases as we approach the RET (Renewable Energy Target) end date in 2030.

So, planning a 2026 installation can secure more certificates at higher values.

Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs)

For bigger commercial solar systems above 100 kW, it’s a different story. These systems fall under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target and generate LGCs based on the electricity they produce each year.

These certificates are sold in the market, generating ongoing revenue, not just an upfront discount.

Why are LGCs a great option?

  • Provide cash flow over many years.
  • Can often outweigh STC savings for larger systems.

If your roof can support a system over 100 kW, you can easily scale up to access LGCs and create an annual income stream rather than just an upfront rebate.

New Federal Battery Rebate

From mid-2025, the federal government introduced battery rebates under the SRES framework, which continue into 2026.

In this battery home program, systems paired with solar can receive rebates for each usable kWh of storage installed up to 50 kWh.

This helps to:

  • Reduces battery cost by approximately 30%.
  • Enhances the value of your solar by allowing you to use more of the energy you generate rather than exporting it at a discount.

Pair solar with batteries wherever profitable. Solar alone saves you money, but paired with batteries, your business becomes more resilient and less exposed to low grid pricing.

How Can You Stack State & Territory Rebates and Grants?

Federal incentives are powerful, but stacking them with state-level rebates and grants can multiply savings.

Here’s what’s active or expected to continue in 2026:

New South Wales (NSW)

NSW supports commercial solar and batteries with:

  • STC rebates on solar.
  • Reset Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) rebates for batteries. $1,600–$2,400 in addition to bonuses for VPP participation.

Here’s a pro tip! If you add a VPP-ready battery to existing or new solar installations, you can claim both state and federal rebates.

Victoria

Victoria continues its Solar for Business initiatives with:

  • Rebates for smaller commercial systems.
  • Interest-free loans and technical support.
  • Extra funding to encourage SME solar adoption.

You can pair your Victorian rebate with federal STCs and depreciation allowances for the best stack.

Queensland

Queensland has regional programs such as:

  • Energy audits for businesses.
  • Co-contribution grants.
  • Targeted agricultural support to reduce daytime energy costs.

Regional businesses often qualify for multiple small grants, so schedule an audit early in your planning to identify all available incentives.

Turn Australian Tax Deductions into Business Advantage: Here’s How!

Government support isn’t just limited to rebates; tax incentives can be just as valuable.

Instant Asset Write-Off & Temporary Full Expensing

Businesses installing solar can often write off the full cost of the system in the year it is installed, resulting in significant reductions in taxable income. This also:

  • Improves cash flow in the year of investment.
  • Can stack with rebates.

Before installing, consult your solar installer to ensure you’re claiming the maximum allowable deduction and that the structure aligns with your business’s tax year.

Standard Depreciation

Even if you don’t qualify for instant write-offs, solar is still a depreciating asset. You can claim deductions over its useful life, typically 20+ years, blending your return through ongoing tax savings.

Let’s Explore Strategic Funding & Innovative Financing Methods

You don’t have to own the system outright to enjoy the benefit:

Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs)

There are councils, such as Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs), that link loans to your property, allowing you to finance energy upgrades through your rates rather than traditional debt, often at better rates and longer terms.

In this method, solar starts saving money immediately, and a new cash-flow strategy makes solar accessible even without large upfront capital.

Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs)

With a PPA, a third party installs and owns the solar system, and you buy the energy at a reduced rate for 7–15 years.

What are the benefits:

  • Zero upfront cost.
  • Consistent electricity pricing.
  • Reduced risk.

A PPA may not generate STCs for you, but it can reduce out-of-pocket costs and be more financially advantageous for smaller businesses or those with constrained budgets.

Plan Your Install with Timing & Market Awareness

If you plan to install solar on your commercial property, timing is very crucial. The reason is simple and straightforward.

  • The rebate values decline over time. The SRES scheme reduces the number of certificates annually as 2030 approaches.
  • The battery rebates also step down periodically.

Therefore, all you need to do is book an appointment early, obtain free quotes, sign contracts, and schedule installations early in the financial year to secure the highest possible rebate.

How To Qualify for Maximum Returns?

In Australia, if you want to qualify for federal incentives, you must follow these two rules:

  • Panels and inverters must be Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved.
  • Installer must be accredited (Solar Accreditation Australia or equivalent).

Be aware! Skipping an accredited installer or choosing low-quality equipment can disqualify you from getting rebates, so always verify credentials and approvals.

Financial Metrics That Matter: Cash Flow, ROI & Payback

Understanding your commercial solar project isn’t just about grabbing rebates; it’s about making them count. Here’s how to approach it:

Build a 10-Year Financial Model

Include:

✔ Upfront costs before rebates
✔ Rebate cash inflows (STCs, state grants, battery subsidies)
✔ Tax deductions
✔ Avoided electricity purchases
✔ Revenue streams (LGCs for large systems)

Then calculate:

  • Payback period
  • Net Present Value (NPV)
  • Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

In most cases, businesses with high daytime usage see paybacks in 3–6 years, which is far better than traditional capital investments.

End Notes

Beyond rebates and tax savings, commercial solar boosts your business in ways that don’t show up on a spreadsheet instantly. It brings:

Brand credibility: Customers increasingly want sustainable partners.

Energy resilience: During peak grid pricing or outages, solar + battery keeps the lights on.

ESG leadership: If you report on environmental goals, solar is a visible, measurable contribution.

By 2026, Australia’s commercial solar incentives will still be robust, but navigating them takes strategy:

Do this first:

  • Understand federal incentives (STCs, LGCs, battery rebate)
  • Explore state rebates and stacking opportunities
  • Talk to your accountant about tax deductions
  • Get multiple quotes and install early in the year
  • Choose an accredited installer and products

And then:

✔ Consider financing alternatives like EUAs or PPAs
✔ Build a financial model before signing on the dotted line
✔ Look beyond dollars to brand and operational resilience

Finally, the clean energy transition isn’t just an environmental choice; it’s a smart commercial move. With thoughtful planning and the right rebate stack, commercial solar in 2026 can be one of the most lucrative sustainability investments your business makes.

Ready to go solar?

Start with a trusted installer like Cyanergy, get a tailored quotation, and lock in every available rebate before they step down.

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The post Maximise Government Rebates for Commercial Solar in 2026 appeared first on Cyanergy.

https://cyanergy.com.au/blog/maximise-government-rebates-for-commercial-solar-in-2026/

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