Rebate guide — Victoria
Solar Victoria rebates: what you can get and who qualifies
Solar Victoria's Solar Homes Program gives eligible Victorian households a rebate of up to $1,400 on solar panels, up to $1,400 on efficient hot water systems, and an optional interest-free loan matching the panel rebate. Eligibility depends on household income (under $150,000), property value (under $3 million) and owner-occupier status.
Last updated: 10 July 2026
What rebates does Solar Victoria currently offer?
- Solar panel (PV) rebate — up to $1,400. Covers up to 50% of the system cost after other discounts, for systems on Solar Victoria's approved product list, installed by an authorised retailer. You can also opt in to an interest-free loan of up to $1,400, repaid monthly over four years (about $29 a month for the full amount). Since 1 May 2026 the loan must be chosen at the time of application — it cannot be added later.
- Hot water rebate — up to $1,000, or up to $1,400 for locally made products. For replacing a hot water system that is at least three years old with an eligible heat pump or electric-boosted solar hot water system. The higher amount applies to approved products with at least 50% locally made or assembled parts.
- Solar battery loans — closed. Solar Victoria is no longer taking applications for interest-free battery loans. Battery support now comes through the Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program instead (see below).
Full details for each program are on the official pages: solar panel rebate and hot water rebate.
Am I eligible for a Solar Victoria rebate?
For both the solar panel and hot water rebates, you must meet all of the following:
- You are the owner-occupier of an existing property, or the owner of a home under construction.
- The combined household taxable income of all owners is under $150,000 a year. This cap changed on 1 July 2026 — it was previously $210,000, so older guides may show the outdated figure.
- The property is valued at under $3 million.
- The property has not already received a rebate in the same category. For the solar panel rebate, the address must not have had a solar system installed in the last 10 years — though a replacement rebate is available where the existing system is more than 10 years old.
- For the hot water rebate, the system being replaced must be at least three years old.
What happened to the solar battery rebate and loan?
Victoria's interest-free solar battery loans are closed to new applications after the program exceeded its targets. If you want battery storage, the current pathway is the Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which opened on 1 July 2025 and discounts the upfront cost of an eligible battery. Victorian households can use it alongside the Solar Victoria panel rebate if installing solar and a battery together.
How do I apply?
Applications run through Solar Victoria's portal, and you must use an authorised retailer. The process is:
- Get a written quote from a Solar Victoria authorised retailer. The retailer uploads it to the Solar Victoria Portal.
- Complete your application within 14 days, providing proof of identity, income (for all owners) and property ownership.
- Once approved, installation must happen within 120 days for existing homes (270 days for homes under construction).
- The rebate is deducted from your final invoice — you never receive the money directly, you simply pay less.
Step-by-step official guidance is at solar.vic.gov.au/claim-a-rebate.
Can I combine Solar Victoria rebates with other programs?
Yes, and it is worth doing deliberately because the savings stack:
- Small-scale technology certificates (STCs) — the federal incentive built into every solar quote — apply first, then the Solar Victoria rebate is calculated on the remaining cost.
- The hot water rebate can be combined with a Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) discount on the same heat pump installation, provided your retailer is authorised under both programs. The rebate is calculated after the VEU discount is applied.
- The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program can be used alongside the panel rebate for combined solar-plus-battery installations.
Frequently asked questions
Can renters get a Solar Victoria rebate?
Not directly. For rental properties, the rental provider (landlord) applies, and eligibility is based on the renters' combined household taxable income being under $150,000 a year. Both parties sign a Solar Homes Program agreement, rental providers can claim a maximum of two rental rebates per financial year, and rent cannot be increased to recover installation costs.
How many times can I claim a Solar Homes rebate?
Generally one rebate per category (solar panels, hot water) per property. The main exception is a replacement solar panel rebate, which is allowed where the existing solar system is more than 10 years old.
Is the Victorian solar battery loan still available?
No. Solar Victoria has closed applications for its interest-free solar battery loans after its targets were met. Battery support is now available through the Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which opened on 1 July 2025.
What is the income limit for Solar Victoria rebates?
From 1 July 2026, the combined household taxable income of all property owners must be under $150,000 a year (reduced from the previous $210,000 cap). The property must also be valued under $3 million.
Does the solar panel rebate cover the whole system cost?
No. The rebate covers up to $1,400 of the cost of an eligible solar panel system, and you can add an interest-free loan of up to the same amount, repaid over four years. Small-scale technology certificates (STCs) reduce the price further at the point of sale.
Do I need a home energy assessment before applying?
Solar Victoria's current eligibility criteria do not list a home energy rating requirement. That said, an independent assessment is a sensible first step: it shows whether solar, hot water or other upgrades will deliver the biggest savings for your particular home before you commit.
Related rebate guides
Which rebates can your home actually use?
Rebates only pay off when they fund the right upgrade. A home energy assessment shows where your home loses energy and which upgrades — solar, hot water, insulation or heating — will make the biggest difference, so you claim rebates on work that genuinely cuts your bills.