ACT · last checked 26 September 2026

Solar and battery rebates in ACT.

Two federal programs are available to eligible installations everywhere in Australia, including the ACT. ACT also has 2 programs open to homeowners right now. Here's what each one provides, who qualifies, how it's worked out and how you receive it.

Rebates › ACT · Reviewed by Joern Haake

At a glance

Federal solar rebate (small-scale technology certificates)Open
Cheaper Home Batteries Program (federal)Open
Home Energy Support: Rebates for HomeownersOpen
Sustainable Household Scheme (loan)Open

Your Homerise estimate includes both federal rebates. State programs are shown with your estimate and confirmed with your installer.

Which federal rebates can you get in ACT?

You can get both federal rebates in ACT: they're national programs run by the Australian Government, not by the ACT. They work the same way in every state, for eligible installations.

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (solar STCs) Open

What it is: An up-front discount on new solar systems up to 100 kW, through certificates your installer claims for you.
Run by: Clean Energy Regulator (Australian Government)
In your Homerise estimate: Included in your estimate.
Last checked: 26 September 2026

How it works

A new, eligible solar system earns small-scale technology certificates (STCs). The number depends on the system's size, your postcode's zone and the year it's installed.

The certificates have a market value. Almost everyone assigns them to their installer, who takes that value off the price up front, so it works as a discount rather than a rebate you apply for.

The scheme runs until 2030 and shrinks every 1 January, so the same system earns fewer certificates each year.

How it's calculated

Certificates = system size in kW × your postcode's zone rating × the years left in the scheme (the “deeming period”), rounded down. For systems installed in 2026 the deeming period is 5 years, and it shortens by one year every 1 January until the scheme ends in 2030. Each certificate is worth what the market pays; we assume about $37 reaches you after fees.

Example

A 6.6 kW system in Canberra (postcode 2600, zone 3, rating 1.382), installed in 2026: 6.6 × 1.382 × 5 = 45 certificates, worth about $1,665.

The same system installed in 2027 gets 36 certificates, about $1,332. Other postcodes in the state can be in a different zone, which changes the figure.

Who's eligible

Homes and businesses; owners of the system (you don't need to be a concession holder or under an income limit).
A new system under 100 kW. Systems over 100 kW and up to 1 MW installed from 1 October 2026 have a separate mid-scale path.
Panels and inverter on the Clean Energy Council's approved product lists.
Designed and installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited installer.
Certificates created within 12 months of installation. Second-hand equipment isn't eligible.

How you receive it, and what your installer does

You sign an STC assignment form with your installer (or their registered agent). The certificate value appears as a discount on your quote.
Your installer or agent creates the certificates in the Clean Energy Regulator's REC Registry and collects the paperwork: compliance statements from the designer, installer and retailer, the electrical safety certificate and serial-number photos.
You can create and sell the certificates yourself instead, but few people do.

Conditions, exclusions and other incentives

A complete replacement with new panels and a new inverter can earn certificates again. Swapping some panels on a system that has already claimed can't.
Adding panels, or a separate system, is eligible if the combined total stays under 100 kW; panels that already claimed don't count again.
The value per certificate moves with the market; the Clean Energy Regulator says agents typically pay $33 to $38.
It stacks with state programs, subject to each program's own rules.

Official sources: Clean Energy Regulator: Rooftop solar · Clean Energy Regulator: Small-scale renewable energy systems · Clean Energy Regulator: Calculate STC entitlements · Clean Energy Regulator: Postcode zone ratings · Clean Energy Regulator: Create STCs · Clean Energy Regulator: Mid-scale solar

Cheaper Home Batteries Program Open

What it is: An up-front discount on an eligible home battery (5–100 kWh), worked out from its usable capacity.
Run by: Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, with the Clean Energy Regulator
In your Homerise estimate: Included in your estimate, unless a battery rebate may already have been claimed at your address (then it's shown as to be confirmed).
Last checked: 26 September 2026

How it works

Since 1 July 2025, an eligible home battery earns small-scale technology certificates, like solar does. The government buys those certificates, which funds a discount of around 30% on a typical battery.

The number of certificates depends on the battery's usable capacity and the date it's installed: the rate steps down every six months until 2030.

You don't apply. Your installer takes the value off your price, or you can claim the certificates yourself.

How it's calculated

Certificates = usable battery capacity (kWh) × 6.8 certificates per kWh for batteries installed now, with a lower share for larger batteries, rounded down:

0–14 kWh: 100% of the full rate
14–28 kWh: 60% of the full rate
28–50 kWh: 15% of the full rate
Above 50 kWh: no certificates for the extra capacity

The rate is set by the installation date. For batteries installed from 1 January 2027 it falls to 5.7 certificates per kWh, and it keeps stepping down every six months until 2030.

Example

A 10 kWh (usable) battery installed now: 68 certificates, about $2,516; installed from 1 January 2027, 57 certificates (about $2,109).

A 20 kWh (usable) battery installed now: 119 certificates, about $4,403; installed from 1 January 2027, 100 certificates (about $3,700).

Who's eligible

Homes and businesses, on-grid or off-grid. No income test.
A battery of 5 to 100 kWh nominal capacity; certificates are paid on the first 50 kWh of usable capacity.
Installed with solar: with your existing solar, or with new or replacement solar. A battery on its own, charging only from the grid, isn't eligible.
Battery and inverter on the Clean Energy Council's approved lists when installed. On-grid batteries must be able to join a virtual power plant, but you don't have to join one.
Installed, or supervised on site, by an SAA-accredited installer with a battery endorsement, and wired by a licensed electrician.
Installed on or after 1 July 2025 (the date of the electrical compliance certificate).

How you receive it, and what your installer does

Your installer shows the discount against the system price on your quote; they may deduct an admin fee.
Your installer, designer and retailer each give written statements to the Clean Energy Regulator, and the installer must be on site to set up and commission the battery.
Or you keep the certificates and sell them yourself through the REC Registry.

Conditions, exclusions and other incentives

One battery system per premises is supported, once: the first time a battery is installed, added to or replaced. A battery rebate already claimed at your address can rule out another.
Adding capacity is eligible only if the existing battery never received support, the addition is at least 5 kWh nominal and the total stays at or under 100 kWh nominal.
The installation date sets the rate, not the date you sign. A step-down before your installation lowers the discount.
It stacks with state programs, subject to each state's own rules. Portable batteries and electric vehicles are excluded.

Official sources: DCCEEW: Cheaper Home Batteries Program · DCCEEW: Cheaper Home Batteries eligibility · DCCEEW: STCs for batteries · Clean Energy Regulator: Solar batteries

What solar and battery programs does ACT offer?

The ACT Government or its agencies run the programs below. Check the conditions: most depend on your household or your electricity retailer.

Home Energy Support: Rebates for Homeowners Open

What it is: 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.
Run by: ACT Government
In your Homerise estimate: Not in your price until your eligibility is confirmed.
Last checked: 26 September 2026

How it works

Concession card holders who own their home can get half the cost of rooftop solar back, up to $2,500, plus a separate rebate of up to $2,500 for energy-efficiency upgrades.

An optional 0% loan of up to $10,000 is available through the Sustainable Household Scheme's provider. Batteries aren't covered by this rebate.

How it's calculated

50% of the cost of the solar system, up to $2,500.

Example

A $7,000 solar installation: 50% is $3,500, so the rebate is capped at $2,500. (Whether the cost is counted before or after the federal solar rebate isn't stated; your installer confirms.)

Who's eligible

An ACT resident with a Pensioner Concession Card, DVA Gold Card or Health Care Card (the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card doesn't qualify).
You own and live in the home, it's an existing home, and it's within the same land-value limits as the Sustainable Household Scheme. You attend the workshop.
A 5.5 to 8 kW solar system on a 5 or 6 kW inverter, using Clean Energy Council approved products.
ACT Government pre-approval before you accept a quote.

How you receive it, and what your installer does

Rebate only: you pay the supplier in full, then lodge a claim; the rebate is paid to you in about 10 business days.
Rebate with the loan: processed through the loan provider.
Either way, your supplier completes part of the application and co-signs the claim.

Conditions, exclusions and other incentives

The federal solar rebate still applies.
It can be combined with the Sustainable Household Scheme loan.

Official sources: ACT Government: Home Energy Support rebates for homeowners · Home Energy Support participant guidelines

Sustainable Household Scheme (loan) Open

What it is: 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.
Run by: ACT Government, through the scheme's loan provider
In your Homerise estimate: A loan, not a discount, so it isn't taken off your price.
Last checked: 26 September 2026

How it works

A 3% loan of $2,000 to $20,000, repaid over up to 10 years, with no establishment or account fees, for a battery and other electrification upgrades.

It's a loan, not a discount: it spreads the cost of what you pay after rebates. Rooftop solar isn't covered except for concession card holders (see Home Energy Support).

How it's calculated

You borrow what you need between $2,000 and $20,000 in total per household, across all products, at 3% interest.

Example

A $12,000 battery loan leaves $8,000 of the $20,000 limit for later upgrades. Your repayment depends on the term you choose.

Who's eligible

You own the home or live with the owner, and it's an existing standalone house or unit-titled home in the ACT (not Jervis Bay, not a new build).
Land value of $750,000 or less (or $300,000 or less for multi-storey apartments).
You attend the scheme's workshop and pass a credit check.
Your supplier is approved by the scheme and has traded for at least 12 months; battery installers must be SAA-accredited and the retailer a New Energy Tech Consumer Code approved seller.

How you receive it, and what your installer does

Your supplier quotes and helps with the application; the loan provider approves it and pays the supplier once the installation is compliant.
Your contract is with the supplier. The installer registers the battery, and Access Canberra may inspect it. Repayments start once the system is running.

Conditions, exclusions and other incentives

Suppliers who door-knock or telemarket are removed from the scheme.
It can be combined with the Home Energy Support rebate. The federal battery discount is applied by your installer on the price.
Anyone who applied or was approved before 1 July 2026 is capped at $15,000.

Official sources: ACT Government: Sustainable Household Scheme · Sustainable Household Scheme participant guidelines (Sep 2026)

How your Homerise estimate uses these

Both federal rebates are taken off your estimated price, using your postcode's zone and your battery's usable size.
State programs are only deducted when the amount is fixed and applies to everyone. Where it depends on your income, retailer or eligibility, we show it next to your estimate and your installer confirms it.
Your installer confirms every rebate on their final proposal, based on the installation date.

See what applies to your home

Work it out first: the battery rebate calculator and the solar rebate calculator use the same rules table as this page.

Last checked 26 September 2026 against the official sources linked in each section. Programs change: if you spot something out of date, see our editorial standards. More detail: Cheaper Home Batteries explained · solar rebates in 2026 · all states.