Commercial Solar Systems Adelaide
NETCC Approved Seller | SAA-Accredited Designers & Installers
Reduce electricity costs. Lower emissions and build a more resilient site with a commercial solar installation for your South Australian business.
Quality Energy designs and installs commercial and industrial solar for businesses across Adelaide and South Australia. Our project teams deliver and service systems throughout Greater Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, Fleurieu Peninsula and regional SA.
We manage design, SA Power Networks approvals, installation, finance and ongoing maintenance. We also resolve power quality issues so your new solar works smoothly alongside existing electrical infrastructure.
Why Adelaide Businesses Choose Quality Energy for Commercial Solar
Accredited and accountable
We are a NETCC Approved Seller with SAA-accredited designers and installers. Every system is engineered and installed to current Australian standards, backed by consumer protections that keep your interests front and centre.
Designs, SA Power Networks submissions and test results are fully documented. You know what has been installed, how it should perform and how to maintain it over time.
Deep electrical and power quality expertise
Quality Energy brings more than 35 years of experience in commercial and industrial electrical engineering and power quality. We understand switchboards, protection systems, motors, refrigeration and process loads as thoroughly as we understand solar and batteries.
This depth of knowledge reduces surprises during installation and helps prevent issues such as nuisance tripping, poor power factor or harmonic distortion after your system goes live.
Designed for Adelaide and South Australian conditions
Adelaide sits in STC Zone 3 and averages around 4.8 peak sun hours per day, making it one of the best locations in Australia for commercial solar generation. But strong solar resources also means SA Power Networks applies connection rules, flexible export settings and voltage management requirements.
We design systems that account for SA Power Networks' connection processes, local roof structures and Adelaide's climate, from hot dry summers through to winter storms and high winds. This makes grid connection smoother and helps your system perform reliably across its full lifespan.
South Australia leads Australia in rooftop solar penetration. That means the network is actively managing solar exports and voltage levels. Our engineers are experienced with SAPN's requirements for medium embedded generators (systems above 30kW), including protection settings, export limiting and compliance with AS/NZS 4777.2.
Integrated power quality solutions
Many Adelaide commercial sites operate close to their supply capacity. Adding solar can expose underlying power quality problems if the project is not planned properly.
We can integrate:
• Power Factor Correction (PFC)
• Active Harmonic Filters (AHF)
• Static Var Generators (SVG)
These solutions help reduce kVA demand charges, free up switchboard capacity and protect sensitive equipment. Motors, HVAC systems, lifts and compressors run more smoothly and reliably. Learn more about our
power quality services.
One team from start to finish
You deal with a single team from initial feasibility through to ongoing maintenance. We coordinate with your facilities staff, SA Power Networks and any other contractors involved. That means less internal administration, fewer handovers and a clear line of accountability when you need support.
Long-life warranties
We partner with established manufacturers with strong Australian support networks.
Typical coverage includes:
• Panels: 15 to 30 years
• Performance guarantee: 25 to 30 years
• Inverters: 10 years
• Workmanship: 10 years
Clear documentation is provided so your investment remains protected for the long term.
What to Expect When You Work With Quality Energy
Clear numbers before you commit
We review your interval data, tariff structure, roof or ground conditions and operating hours. You receive a straightforward summary of forecast savings, payback period, carbon reduction and maintenance assumptions. The analysis is designed to be shared with decision makers, finance teams, landlords or investors.
A design matched to your site
We model system yield, self-consumption rates, SA Power Networks export limits and future expansion options for your Adelaide or South Australian site. System size is matched to your load profile and roof layout rather than a one-size-fits-all package. With Adelaide averaging 4.8 peak sun hours per day, there is strong generation potential that we tailor to your energy consumption pattern.
Finance options that suit your cash flow
We can structure commercial solar projects to match different funding preferences:
• Upfront CAPEX for the fastest lifetime savings and full asset ownership.
• Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) that treat solar as an operating expense with little or no upfront cost. This is the approach Prescott College Southern used to go solar without any capital outlay. Read our PPA guide.
• Loans or leases that spread repayments over time.
Our aim is to align repayments and incentives with bill savings so the project is cash flow positive early on.
SA Power Networks approvals managed for you
We handle all SA Power Networks (SAPN) applications, protection settings and commissioning plans. For systems under 30kW, we manage the streamlined small embedded generator process. For larger commercial systems classified as medium embedded generators, we navigate the more detailed review process including additional protection and compliance requirements.
Our engineers communicate directly with the network where required, reducing the risk of rework, redesign or connection delays.
Installation planned around your operations
Work is scheduled around your operating hours, access restrictions and safety requirements. We coordinate shutdowns and permits with your team and keep work areas tidy. At Prescott College, for example, the installation was managed with student safety and school operations in mind. At handover, you receive training, as-built drawings and safety documentation.
Monitoring and proactive maintenance
We set up live monitoring and configure alerts so performance can be tracked against design expectations. You can include inspections, cleaning and testing in a scheduled maintenance plan, helping your system sustain savings across its full lifespan.
End to End Solutions for Adelaide Businesses
Commercial and Industrial Solar Design / Installation
Ideal for offices, warehouses, schools, healthcare facilities and light industrial sites with daytime loads. Export-aware designs help you comply with SA Power Networks rules while prioritising on-site consumption. You reduce energy spend without changing your daily operations.
Learn more about the differences between commercial and industrial solar.
Power Quality Improvements for Solar Energy
For sites with lifts, HVAC plants, motors, variable speed drives or sensitive electronics, power quality is essential. We can combine solar with PFC, AHF and SVG to:
• Stabilise voltage and current during load changes
• Improve power factor and reduce kVA-based demand charges
• Limit harmonics and protect sensitive equipment
Solar and Battery Storage Systems
Batteries store excess daytime solar, reduce demand charges and can support critical loads during brief outages. This is especially valuable for data centres, healthcare facilities, cold storage operations and other Adelaide sites that rely on continuous power.
South Australia has been at the forefront of battery adoption, and businesses may also benefit from connecting to Virtual Power Plant (VPP) programs for additional revenue.
Learn more about solar battery storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered commercial solar in Adelaide and how big are the systems?
Commercial solar refers to solar PV systems under 100kW. These systems fall under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and are eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which provide an upfront discount on the cost of installation. Quality Energy designs and installs both commercial and industrial scale systems. We help you determine the right size based on your energy consumption, roof space and financial objectives, and advise on whether STCs or LGCs will deliver the best return for your project.
What government incentives are available for commercial solar in Adelaide?
The primary incentive is Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. Your installer creates the certificates based on your system size and deducts their value from your invoice, giving you an immediate upfront discount of roughly 25 to 30% on the system cost. The STC value reduces each year and the scheme is scheduled to phase out completely by 2030, so installing sooner means a larger upfront discount.
For industrial systems above 100kW, the incentive model shifts to Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target. Rather than an upfront discount, LGCs provide ongoing revenue. Your system earns one certificate for every MWh of electricity it generates, which can be sold on the open market. This creates a steady income stream over the system's operating life.
Businesses within the City of Adelaide (postcodes 5000 and 5006) may also access the Sustainability Incentives Scheme, which offers a 20% rebate on solar PV installations capped at $5,000 for systems above 20kW. We help you understand which incentive pathway applies to your project and how to maximise the financial return.
Can solar cause power quality issues at our site?
It can, particularly on sites with heavy electrical loads or older switchboards. Our engineers configure inverter settings for compliance and grid stability. Where needed, we add Power Factor Correction, Active Harmonic Filters or Static Var Generators to manage power factor, harmonics and voltage. This helps keep motors, refrigeration, lifts and IT equipment running reliably after solar is installed.
What payback period can we expect for commercial solar in Adelaide?
Adelaide is one of the strongest markets in Australia for commercial solar payback. Many systems see simple payback periods in the 3 to 5 year range, thanks to high electricity costs, strong solar generation and available STC incentives. Actual results depend on your energy use pattern, tariff structure, available roof area and whether batteries or power quality upgrades are included. We model your case so you can make a well-informed investment decision.
How does SA Power Networks handle solar connections in Adelaide?
SA Power Networks (SAPN) is the sole distribution network service provider across South Australia. Flexible exports are now the default setting, which allows exports of up to 10kW per phase depending on grid conditions. If flexible exports cannot be used (for example, without a reliable internet connection), a fixed 1.5kW per phase export limit applies.Our team handles the entire process and communicates directly with SAPN to avoid delays.
Is battery storage worth it for Adelaide businesses?
Battery storage can make strong financial sense for Adelaide businesses, particularly those with high demand charges, critical loads or operations that extend beyond daylight hours. South Australia has been at the forefront of battery adoption, and businesses may be able to earn additional income through Virtual Power Plant programs. We assess whether battery storage adds value for your situation as part of our feasibility analysis.
Can commercial solar be installed with no upfront cost?
Yes. A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) allows you to have solar installed on your roof with no capital outlay. You pay a fixed rate per kilowatt-hour for the solar energy your system generates, which is typically lower than your current grid electricity rate. Prescott College Southern in Morphett Vale used this approach to install a 99.88kW system and is saving approximately 23% on energy bills with no upfront payment or ongoing maintenance costs.
Industries We Work With Across Adelaide
We work with a wide range of Adelaide businesses and organisations, including:
• Early learning centres and education providers
• Schools and colleges
• Healthcare and aged care facilities
• Warehousing, logistics and cold storage
• Wine production and food manufacturing
• Manufacturing and engineering sites
• Retail and multi-site franchise groups
• Commercial offices and mixed-use buildings
• Industrial landlords focused on tenant retention and ESG reporting
If your site uses significant daytime electricity, we can quickly assess whether solar, batteries and power quality improvements make financial and operational sense.
What Our Customers Say
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