Solar rebates in Australia 2026: the federal rebate and every state program

How does the federal solar rebate work?

Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, an eligible solar system earns STCs for the clean energy it's expected to produce. The number depends on three things:

• System size in kW (up to 100 kW for the small-scale scheme).
• Where you live. Australia is split into four zones by sunshine; the sunnier the zone, the more certificates.
• When it's installed. Systems are credited for a number of years' output up front, called the deeming period. In 2026 that's 5 years; it falls by one year every 1 January until the scheme ends in 2030.

Your installer normally takes the value off your price (you assign the certificates to them). Certificates are traded, so their value moves; we assume about $37 each reaches you.

A system installed on or after 1 January 2027 is credited for 4 years instead of 5, so the rebate drops by roughly a fifth. As with batteries, it's the installation date that counts.

Which solar systems are eligible for the rebate?

A solar system is eligible for the federal rebate when it meets four conditions:

• Panels and inverter on the Clean Energy Council's approved product lists.
• Designed and installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia–accredited installer, and meeting Australian standards.
• New components that haven't claimed certificates before. A complete replacement of an old system can qualify; swapping a few panels on a system that already claimed can't. See adding a battery to existing solar.
• Up to 100 kW. Businesses with 100 kW to 1 MW systems have a separate mid-scale path from 1 October 2026: see commercial solar in 2026.

Is there a federal rebate for batteries?

Yes: batteries have their own federal rebate. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program adds a separate discount for a battery installed with new or existing solar. It's based on the battery's usable size and steps down every six months. See how the battery rebate works.

What solar and battery programs do the states offer?

State and territory solar and battery programs open and close often. As of 26 September 2026:

• New South Wales: NSW Home Energy Saver zero-interest loan. A zero-interest, no-fee loan of up to $15,000, repaid over up to 10 years, for solar, batteries and other upgrades, for NSW homeowners with a combined taxable household income up to $210,000. NSW virtual power plant incentive. An extra incentive if you connect your battery to a virtual power plant. The amount varies by provider and network, so it isn't included in your price.
• Victoria: Solar Victoria solar panel rebate. Up to $1,400 off solar panels if you're eligible, plus an optional interest-free loan of the same amount. Not included in your price until eligibility is confirmed.
• Queensland: Queensland Supercharged Solar for Renters (landlords). For landlords only: $2,500 to $3,500 towards new solar on a rented home, depending on system size. Not for owner-occupiers, so it's never in a homeowner's price.
• South Australia: SA REPS battery VPP incentive (via retailers and providers). Some retailers and providers pay an incentive for connecting a new or existing battery to an approved virtual power plant, often more for concession households. Each sets its own amount, so it isn't in your price.
• Western Australia: WA Residential Battery Scheme. Up to $1,300 for Synergy customers, or up to $3,800 for Horizon Power customers, when you join a virtual power plant. Confirmed by your installer, so it isn't included in your price. WA no-interest battery loan. A no-interest loan of $2,001 to $10,000 over 3 to 10 years, for households earning under $210,000.
• Tasmania: no open state rebate right now; the federal rebates apply.
• the ACT: ACT Home Energy Support rebate. For concession card holders who own their home: 50% of the cost of rooftop solar, up to $2,500. Not in your price until your eligibility is confirmed. ACT Sustainable Household Scheme loan. A loan of $2,000 to $20,000 at 3% interest over up to 10 years for batteries and other upgrades. Solar panels are only covered for concession card holders.
• the Northern Territory: no open state rebate right now; the federal rebates apply.

Programs with a fixed amount are included in our estimates; the rest are shown as “eligibility to confirm” until your installer checks them.

Is a feed-in tariff a rebate?

No, a feed-in tariff isn't a rebate. Your retailer pays you for solar you export, but at 4c or so per kWh it's worth far less than the 25 to 45c you pay for grid power. That's why solar pays back best when you use the power yourself, and why batteries have become popular. A few older systems still earn premium rates of 44c; if yours does, check before changing anything.

The Solar Sharer Offer (NSW, south-east Queensland, SA)

Since 1 July 2026, most retailers in these areas must offer an optional plan with three hours of free electricity in the middle of every day (11am to 2pm in NSW and south-east Queensland, 12pm to 3pm in SA), up to 24 kWh a day. You need a smart meter, but not solar. It isn't a rebate, and the rest of the plan's rates and supply charge still apply, so compare it with your current plan. If you already have solar you're often producing free power at midday anyway; the offer can still help with charging an electric car or a battery.

Is a “government solar program” call real?

Governments don't cold-call homeowners to sell solar, and you never apply to the government for the solar rebate: it comes through your installer. Treat any call or door-knock claiming to be a government program with suspicion, and don't sign on the spot. If you do sign an agreement from an unsolicited visit or call, you have a 10 business day cooling-off period under Australian Consumer Law.