Australia's Federal Energy Minister has announced the expansion of the small-scale renewable energy scheme (SRES) from 100 kW to 1 MW, aiming to support mid-scale solar and unlock the potential of commercial rooftops. The changes will allow for upfront, deemed certificates for new installations and expansions, reducing installation costs by about 20%. The expanded SRES, expected to commence from 1 October 2026, could add an extra 80 GW in solar energy, delivering up to AUD 39.7 billion in gross energy-system benefits annually. Additionally, a government subsidy of AUD 2 billion could result in lower electricity prices, reduced grid pressure, and the potential for 63.3 GW of C&I rooftop solar and 28.7 GW of battery capacity in Australia, helping bridge the gap in the country's energy transition and cutting emissions by 21.88 million tonnes of CO2 annually.