Battery Peak Reduction Certificate Calculator
Estimate the Peak Reduction Certificates (PRCs) your BESS 1–5 battery project can create under the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) — based on IPART’s Method Guide V3.0 (July 2026).
How Many PRCs Will Your Battery Earn?
See what a BESS 1–5 installation could earn under the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme — PRCs, solar & battery STCs and lifetime value in seconds. Estimates only: final certificates are determined in TESSA against the current PDRS Rule and Method Guide.
Ready when you are
Set your battery details above (or pick a preset chip) and press Calculate PRCs to see your estimated certificates — demand component, firmness, capacity and lifetime value.
Which BESS activity is right for your project?
Residential & small business
BESS1 — new behind-the-meter battery at a single dwelling or small business. Solar PV required at the same NMI. Usable capacity 2–28 kWh (certificates for the whole system). Currently only deliverable via an Exempt Energy Program or Government-owned/managed site.
BESS2 — onboard an existing battery with a Demand Response Aggregator (Virtual Power Plant) under a 12-month+ contract. Usable capacity 2–50 kWh, certificates paid on the first 28 kWh. Requires an eligible DRA (Market Participant or Network Service Provider).
Apartments & business
BESS3 — new battery in an apartment building (BCA Class 2, 4+ dwellings). Usable capacity 20–200 kWh, outdoor installation, planning & network approvals required.
BESS4 — new battery at a small/medium business (not residential or data centres). Usable capacity 20–200 kWh. No solar needed — standard rate; adding new solar ≥ ¼ of battery capacity within 90 days lifts the rate (+49% PRCs).
BESS5 — large commercial/industrial systems. Usable capacity 200–30,000 kWh, UL9540A tested, capacity capped at 10,000 kWh per implementation.
How PRCs are calculated
One PRC represents 0.1 kW of peak demand reduction capacity during the peak window (2.30–8.30pm AEST, 1 November – 31 March). The number of PRCs is:
PRCs = Peak Demand Reduction Capacity × Network Loss Factor × 10
Peak Demand Reduction Capacity = demand component × firmness factor × 6 hours × lifetime. Demand components are activity-specific (e.g. BESS1: usable kWh × 0.0853 kW/kWh; BESS2: usable kWh × 0.0734 kW/kWh with a 0.8 firmness factor and 6-year lifetime; BESS5: capped capacity × 0.1 kW/kWh with new solar within 90 days, else 0.067 kW/kWh). PRCs are rounded down to whole certificates and apportioned across compliance-period vintages in TESSA.
Ready to Turn Battery Capacity into Rebates?
ELSONS designs, installs and accredits behind-the-meter battery systems across NSW. Get your estimate, then talk to us about your BESS 1–5 project and the rebates it can unlock.
This calculator provides estimates based on IPART’s PDRS Method Guide V3.0 (1 July 2026). It is not financial or legal advice. Actual PRC creation depends on meeting all eligibility, equipment, installation, evidence, nomination and audit requirements in the PDRS Rule, your Accreditation Notice and the Method Guide. BESS1 is currently limited to Exempt Energy Programs and Government-owned/managed sites; BESS3, BESS4 and BESS5 commence 1 September 2026. Certificate values depend on negotiated PRC market prices.

