Key points
- The biggest solar rebates in 2026 are federal: STCs on solar panels (about $1,800 off 6.6kW in Adelaide, $1,550 in Melbourne) and the Cheaper Home Batteries discount (about $3,400–$3,700 off a 13.5 kWh battery).
- Victoria adds the Solar Homes rebate of up to $1,400 plus an optional $1,400 interest-free loan, for households under the $150,000 income cap. South Australia has no state solar or battery rebate.
- Both federal discounts step down on 1 January 2027. Installs before 31 December 2026 get the higher rates.
- From 1 October 2026 businesses can earn STCs on solar systems up to 1 MW, up from 100 kW.
- Rebates are claimed through your installer, never by paying a caller. Check that sellers are NETCC Approved Sellers and installers are SAA-accredited.
Solar rebates in 2026 can still take thousands of dollars off solar panels and a home battery in South Australia and Victoria. Every eligible system earns federal small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Batteries get a separate federal discount. Victorian households can add a state rebate and an interest-free loan. This guide brings every incentive together in one place, with current amounts, who qualifies, how they stack, and links to our detailed guides on each one. All figures are as of October 2026.
Solar rebates 2026 at a glance
This table summarises every incentive covered in this guide. Amounts are indicative and depend on system size, location, install date and certificate prices.
| Incentive | What it’s worth | South Australia | Victoria | Main conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar STCs (federal) | About $1,790 (Adelaide) or $1,550 (Melbourne) off 6.6kW | Yes | Yes | SAA installer, approved products; shrinks each 1 January to 2030 |
| Cheaper Home Batteries (federal) | About $2,500–$2,700 off 10 kWh; $3,400–$3,700 off 13.5 kWh | Yes | Yes | 5–100 kWh, approved and VPP-capable; one claim per address |
| Solar Homes PV rebate | Up to $1,400 | No | Yes | Household income under $150,000; home under $3m; no solar in last 10 years |
| Solar Homes interest-free loan | Up to $1,400, repaid over 4 years | No | Yes | Same eligibility as the rebate |
| Solar for rentals | Up to $1,400 rebate + $1,400 loan | No | Yes | Renters’ income under $150,000; up to 2 properties a year |
| Hot water rebate + VEU | Up to $1,630, or $2,030 locally made | REPS retailer offers | Yes | Eligible heat pump or solar hot water |
| REPS VPP incentive | Varies | Priority groups only (rest of 2026) | No | Battery joins an approved VPP |
| Council incentives | e.g. solar 20% up to $5,000 (City of Adelaide) | Some councils | Some councils | Property in the council area |
| Business STCs up to 1 MW | Around $68,000 off 250 kW (government estimate) | Yes | Yes | 100 kW–1 MW installed from 1 Oct 2026; applications open mid–late Nov 2026 |
| State battery rebate | None | No (closed 2022) | No | n/a |
The federal STC solar rebate
The STC discount is the foundation of every solar quote in Australia. Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, each eligible system earns certificates based on system size × zone rating × deeming years. Adelaide is Zone 3 (1.382 MWh per kW) and Melbourne is Zone 4 (1.185). Systems installed in 2026 get a 5-year deeming period.
That gives a 6.6kW system about 45 STCs in Adelaide and 39 in Melbourne. A 10kW system earns about 69 and 59, and a 13kW system about 89 and 77. With STCs trading at about $39.85–$39.90 in early October 2026, a 6.6kW system gets roughly $1,800 off in Adelaide and $1,550 in Melbourne. You assign the certificates to your installer, who takes the value off your invoice. There’s no income test.
The deeming period falls by one year every January until the scheme ends in 2030, so the discount shrinks by about a fifth in 2027. Read more: STCs explained: how the federal solar rebate is calculated.
| System | Adelaide 2026 | Melbourne 2026 | Adelaide 2027 | Melbourne 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6kW | 45 STCs (~$1,790) | 39 STCs (~$1,550) | 36 STCs | 31 STCs |
| 10kW | 69 STCs (~$2,750) | 59 STCs (~$2,350) | 55 STCs | 47 STCs |
| 13kW | 89 STCs (~$3,550) | 77 STCs (~$3,070) | 71 STCs | 61 STCs |
The federal battery rebate: Cheaper Home Batteries Program
Since 1 July 2025, the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program has cut the cost of eligible home batteries. It’s designed to cover around 30% of the installed price. It also uses STCs, but they’re calculated per kilowatt-hour of usable battery capacity, with no zone rating or deeming period.
- 6.8 STCs per kWh for batteries installed 1 May – 31 December 2026
- 5.7 from January to June 2027, then 5.2 from July to December 2027, falling every six months to 2.1 in late 2030
- Full rate for the first 14 kWh, 60% for 14–28 kWh, 15% for 28–50 kWh and nothing above 50 kWh
- Batteries must be 5–100 kWh, on the approved list, VPP-capable and installed by an SAA-accredited installer
- Homes, small businesses and community organisations can all claim
| Usable capacity | STCs in late 2026 | Approx. discount | STCs in early 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 kWh | 68 | $2,500–$2,700 | 57 |
| 13.5 kWh | 91 | $3,400–$3,700 | 76 |
| 20 kWh | 119 | About $4,400 | 100 |
More than 500,000 batteries had been installed under the program by August 2026, and the budget was expanded to about $7.2 billion in December 2025. Typical 2026 battery prices are roughly $700–$1,300 per usable kWh before the discount, so quotes vary widely.
Read more: Cheaper Home Batteries Program in SA and battery rebates in Victoria 2026. For sizing, brands and payback, see our complete guide to home solar batteries.
Solar rebates in South Australia
South Australia has no state solar panel or battery rebate in 2026. The SA Home Battery Scheme closed in 2022. South Australians rely on the two federal discounts above, which are worth more in Adelaide than in Melbourne because of the higher zone rating.
A few smaller incentives sit on top:
- REPS: the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme requires larger retailers to deliver energy-saving activities. Its VPP battery incentive ran out of general funding in May 2026, and only priority group households can access it for the rest of 2026.
- City of Adelaide: the council’s Sustainability Incentives Scheme lists cash back for properties in its area, including 20% up to $5,000 for residential solar, 50% up to $1,000 for batteries and 50% up to $5,000 for switchboard upgrades.
SA’s feed-in tariffs are low, often 0–8c/kWh. Since 1 July 2026, Solar Sharer plans give opted-in customers free power from 12pm to 3pm. That makes self-consumption and batteries the main source of value. Read more: solar rebates in South Australia 2026. For tariffs and exports, see our guide to feed-in tariffs and power bills, and for local installation advice, our Adelaide solar and battery guide.
Solar rebates in Victoria
Victoria is the only one of the two states with a state solar rebate in 2026. Solar Victoria’s Solar Homes program offers:
- Solar panel rebate: up to $1,400, plus an optional interest-free loan of up to $1,400 repaid over four years
- Eligibility: combined household taxable income under $150,000 (down from $210,000 on 1 July 2026), property under $3 million, and no solar installed at the address in the last 10 years
- Hot water rebate: up to $1,000, or $1,400 for a locally made product
- Apartments: the Solar for Apartments program offers up to $2,800 per household for shared systems
There is no Victorian battery rebate for owner-occupiers, and Solar Victoria’s battery loan is no longer taking applications. Victorians use the federal battery discount instead. Read more: Victoria solar rebates 2026: what you can still claim after the 1 July changes.
Rental properties
Landlords can claim the same $1,400 rebate and $1,400 loan on up to two rental properties a year. The test is the renters’ household income, not the landlord’s, and both parties must sign a Solar Homes agreement. Renters can choose to pay up to 50% of the loan repayment ($14.58 a month at most). Landlords can’t raise the rent or use the bond to recover the cost. Properties owned by trusts, super funds or companies aren’t eligible. Read more: solar rebates for rental properties in Victoria.
Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU)
VEU is a separate state program, running to 2045, that discounts heat pump hot water, reverse-cycle air conditioning, insulation and more. Combined with the Solar Homes hot water rebate, a heat pump can attract up to $1,630, or $2,030 for a locally made unit. Ceiling insulation discounts opened to all homes from 1 October 2026: up to $1,500 in metro areas and $2,100 in regional areas. Read more: Victorian Energy Upgrades 2026. With gas hot water replacements required to be electric from 1 March 2027, our home electrification guide shows how solar and heat pumps work together. For local advice, see our Melbourne solar and battery guide.
How solar and battery rebates stack
Solar STCs, battery STCs and state rebates are separate calculations, so they can all appear on one quote. Adding a battery doesn’t reduce your solar STCs. Two examples for 2026 installations:
| Scenario | Solar STCs | Battery STCs | State rebate | Total off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide: 10kW + 13.5 kWh | ~$2,750 | ~$3,370–$3,640 | $0 | ~$6,120–$6,390 |
| Melbourne (eligible for Solar Homes): 6.6kW + 10 kWh | ~$1,550 | ~$2,520–$2,720 | $1,400 | ~$5,470–$5,670 |
If the Adelaide job slips to January 2027, the total falls by about $1,100. Read more: stacking solar and battery incentives: worked examples for SA and VIC.
Rebates for businesses
Business incentives changed significantly in 2026:
- STCs up to 1 MW: from 1 October 2026, solar systems from 100 kW to 1 MW can earn STCs with a fixed 5-year deeming period. Government estimates put the benefit at around $68,000 for a 250 kW system and $136,000 for 500 kW. The CER expects applications to open in mid to late November 2026. Choosing STCs means no REGO certificates during the deeming period.
- VEU in Victoria: commercial solar from 30 kW to 200 kW can earn VEU certificates (VEECs, around $85 each in October 2026) on top of STCs.
- Batteries: small businesses can claim the Cheaper Home Batteries discount.
- Tax: the $20,000 small business instant asset write-off was made permanent from 1 July 2026, for businesses with turnover under $10 million. Most commercial systems cost more, so they usually go into the small business pool. Ask your accountant.
Read more: commercial solar rebate now covers systems up to 1 MW and our commercial solar guide for Australian businesses. You can also see our commercial solar packages.
Paying for the rest: solar finance
After rebates, most households still need to fund several thousand dollars. The options include cash, mortgage redraws or top-ups, CEFC-backed green loans and mortgage sub-accounts, retailer interest-free plans and subscriptions. In Victoria there is also the Solar Homes interest-free loan. South Australia has no state interest-free loan in 2026.
The key is comparing total cost. “Interest-free” plans can carry fees and a higher finance price. Mortgage money is cheap per year but expensive if it’s stretched over 25 years. Read more: solar finance options in 2026.
Avoiding rebate scams and pressure selling
Rebates attract bad operators. Government agencies don’t cold-call to “sign you up” for a rebate or ask for upfront payments. For unsolicited sales you have a 10 business day cooling-off period, during which the seller can’t take payment or start work. The CER’s 2026 inspections found about 60% of inspected battery installations had at least one non-compliance, mostly labelling, and around 1% were unsafe.
Protect yourself by checking three things. The seller should be a New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) Approved Seller; an updated Code takes effect on 1 December 2026. The installer should be SAA-accredited. And the panels, inverter and battery should be on the Clean Energy Council’s approved lists. Read more: solar and battery scams: 10 red flags to watch for.
Key rebate dates from 2026 to 2030
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2026 | Solar Homes income cap drops to $150,000; Solar Sharer starts in SA |
| 1 October 2026 | STCs extended to solar systems up to 1 MW; Victoria’s Midday Power Saver starts; VEU ceiling insulation opens to all homes |
| Mid–late November 2026 | CER expects mid-scale (100 kW–1 MW) STC applications to open |
| 1 December 2026 | Updated New Energy Tech Consumer Code takes effect |
| 31 December 2026 | Last day for 5-year solar deeming and 6.8 battery STCs per kWh |
| 1 January 2027 | Solar deeming drops to 4 years; battery rate 5.7 STCs per kWh; new Victorian homes must be all-electric |
| 1 March 2027 | Victoria: failed gas hot water must be replaced with electric; rental minimum energy standards begin |
| 1 July 2027 | Battery rate drops to 5.2 STCs per kWh |
| 30 June 2028 | SA’s legacy 44c feed-in tariff ends |
| 2030 | Final year of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (1-year deeming) |
How to claim your solar and battery rebates
- Work out what you’re eligible for using the table above: federal STCs everywhere, plus Solar Homes if you’re in Victoria and under the income cap.
- Get two or three itemised quotes from NETCC Approved Sellers. In Victoria, use a Solar Victoria authorised retailer if you want the state rebate.
- Check every rebate line: the number of solar STCs, battery STCs and the price per certificate, plus any state rebate.
- Apply for state rebates before installation. Solar Homes requires approval and a QR code before work starts.
- Book an installation date that fits your deadline. Your rebate depends on the install date, not the contract date.
- Sign the STC assignment form only once it’s accurate, with the right system size, battery capacity and install date.
Not sure what size to install? Our home solar packages range from 6.6kW to 13kW, and we install solar battery systems for homes and businesses.
Frequently asked questions
What solar rebates are available in 2026?
Everyone can claim federal STCs on eligible solar panels and the federal Cheaper Home Batteries discount on eligible batteries. Victorian households under the $150,000 income cap can add the Solar Homes rebate of up to $1,400 and an interest-free loan of up to $1,400. South Australia has no state rebate, but some council and retailer incentives exist.
Is there a government solar rebate in South Australia?
Not from the state government in 2026. The SA Home Battery Scheme closed in 2022. South Australians can claim federal STCs, worth about $1,800 on a 6.6kW system in Adelaide, and the federal battery discount, worth about $3,400 to $3,700 on a 13.5 kWh battery. Some councils, such as the City of Adelaide, offer extra cash back.
Can I get the solar rebate and the battery rebate at the same time?
Yes. Solar STCs and battery STCs are calculated separately and both come off the same invoice. In Victoria, eligible households can also add the Solar Homes solar panel rebate. Adding a battery doesn’t reduce the solar discount.
When do solar rebates reduce?
Both federal discounts step down on 1 January 2027. The solar deeming period falls from five years to four, and the battery rate falls from 6.8 to 5.7 STCs per kWh. The battery rate keeps falling every six months, and the solar scheme ends in 2030.
Do I need to apply for the STC rebate myself?
No. Most people assign their STCs to the installer’s registered agent and receive the value as an upfront discount on the invoice. You only apply separately for state programs, such as Victoria’s Solar Homes rebate, which needs approval before installation.
All our guides on solar and battery rebates
- STC Solar Rebate Explained: How Your STCs Are Calculated in 2026 – the formula, zone ratings and worked examples for Adelaide and Melbourne.
- Solar Rebate SA 2026: Everything You Can Still Claim in South Australia – federal, retailer and council incentives for SA homes.
- Victoria Solar Rebates 2026: What You Can Still Claim After the 1 July Changes – Solar Homes eligibility and how to apply.
- Solar Rebate for Rental Property in Victoria: A 2026 Guide for Landlords – the rental stream, renter agreements and cost-sharing.
- Victorian Energy Upgrades 2026: Discounts for Heat Pumps, Air Con and Insulation – VEU discounts for electrifying your home.
- Solar and Battery Rebates Combined: Worked Examples for SA and VIC – how every incentive adds up on one quote.
- Solar Finance Options in 2026: Green Loans, Interest-Free Plans and Cash – comparing the true cost of paying over time.
- Solar Scams and Battery Rip-Offs: 10 Red Flags to Watch for in 2026 – your rights and how to check a seller.
- Cheaper Home Batteries Program in SA: What You’ll Get Before the 1 January 2027 Cut – the federal battery discount for South Australians.
- Battery Rebates in Victoria 2026: How the Federal Discount Works – battery incentives for Victorian homes.
Our SAA-accredited installers in Adelaide and Melbourne include every rebate you’re entitled to as a separate line on your quote. Get a free quote, or browse all our solar guides for more on panels, batteries, tariffs and electrification.
Sources: Clean Energy Regulator – Calculate STC entitlements (updated 18 Sep 2026); Clean Energy Regulator – Mid-scale solar (updated 7 Oct 2026); Solar Victoria – Solar Homes Program continuing to provide targeted assistance (29 May 2026); Solar Victoria – Solar rebates for rental properties (updated 7 Jul 2026); City of Adelaide – Sustainability Incentives Scheme; CEFC – Household Energy Upgrades Fund. Rebate amounts, certificate prices and eligibility rules change often; check the official program websites before you buy. Featured image: -wuppertaler / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
