Households Help centre Rebates and discounts

Solar rebates

Key takeaways

If you’re thinking of installing solar, Solar Victoria offers solar panel rebates and the option of an interest-free loan for eligible Victorian households. The rebate is up to $1,400 towards the cost of installing solar panel systems (also called photovoltaic or PV system).

You may also be eligible for discounts under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

Here’s what you need to know:

Eligibility criteria apply.
You must use an authorised solar retailer and use only eligible products.
You’ll need to apply for the Solar Victoria rebate after you have a quote from your authorised solar retailer.
You don’t need to apply for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme discount if you’re eligible. It’s applied automatically, and your installer will include this in your invoice.
The rebate is available for solar systems for homes under construction and for rental properties
SEC-endorsed installers who install solar and battery systems are either VEU-accredited and authorised solar retailers, or they partner with accredited providers.

About solar rebates, interest-free loans and discounts

Under the Solar Homes Program, eligible Victorian households can apply for solar panel rebates and interest-free loans.

And when you install a solar panels and an inverter, you may also be eligible for discounts under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

Rebate amount

Eligible households can receive a rebate of up to $1,400 towards the cost of installing solar panel (PV) systems. The rebate is up to 50% of the purchase cost to install solar panels, to a maximum value of $1,400. It is calculated after all other discounts have been applied.

How to get the rebate

To get the rebate:

you’ll need to meet eligibility criteria
you’ll need to ask for a written quote for an approved product from an authorised retailer
your installer will upload it into the Solar Victoria portal, which generates an email confirming your quote is uploaded
you’ll use the link in your confirmation email or go to the Solar Victoria website to apply for the rebate.

Government rebates can change. Visit Solar Victoria’s solar panel (PV) rebate for the latest information.

Eligibility criteria

For homeowners

If you’re a homeowner, to be eligible for the Solar Homes Program rebate:

you must be the owner-occupier of the existing property where you plan to install the solar panel system
the household taxable income of all owners combined must be less than $210,000 per year
the value of the property must be under $3 million (for existing homes or when construction is complete)
you haven’t already received a solar panel (PV) or solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program at the installation address
you must not have had a solar panel (PV) system installed in the last 10 years at the installation address.

If you did receive a Solar Homes Program rebate and/or loan but you’ve moved house, the good news is you can apply for another incentive at your new address – as long as you are the owner-occupier and if the new address has not received these rebates before.

Some exemptions apply to Solstice Energy Customers. Call Solar Victoria on 1300 376 393 from 9am to 5pm weekdays (except on public holidays) for more information.

For rental properties

If you’re a rental property owner, you could be eligible for the Solar Homes Program rebate and interest free loans on a maximum of two rental properties each financial year.

And if you’re renting and want to start the conversation about installing solar, take a look at Solar Victoria’s Solar for rentals email template.

For the full story, see Solar rebates for rental properties on Solar Victoria’s website.

Approved product list

The Solar Victoria website publishes a list of approved products.

Authorised Solar Homes Program retailer list

You must use an authorised Solar Homes Program retailer to be eligible for a Solar Homes Program rebate. All SEC-endorsed installers are either authorised Solar Homes Program retailers or they partner with an authorised provider.

The Solar Victoria website publishes a list of all authorised Solar Homes Program retailers

Interest-free loans

How to apply

When you apply for your solar panel (PV) rebate, in your application you may be offered an interest-free loan of up to $1,400. If you opt in for the loan and Solar Victoria approves your application, the loan amount is processed with your rebate and paid directly to your solar retailer.

How loan repayments work

When you apply, you’ll provide your account details so that your monthly loan amount payment is automatically deducted.
Your loan payments begin 30 days after your installation is approved.
Your monthly loan payments run for 4 years.

Solar system FAQs

What’s the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme

The Small‑scale Renewable Energy Scheme is an Australian Government program that lowers the upfront cost of renewable energy systems (like solar panels and batteries).

When you buy eligible solar (PV) panels and inverters, because they are a renewable energy system, this creates certificates called small-scale technology certificates (STCs).

These certificates have a financial value.
Your installer sells the certificates on your behalf.
The value is taken off the upfront cost of your solar system.

The Clean Energy Regulator runs the program and appoints the accreditation partner.

What’s the role of my installer?

Only designers and installers accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia are eligible to interact with the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

An accredited installer is responsible for:

checking eligibility
creating and claiming the certificates.

Your installer will offer an upfront reduction on the cost of your solar panels and inverter in your quote, or a rebate after installation.

Your solar panels and inverter installation must be undertaken by or with supervision on site from an installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia.