Key points
- Solar Victoria’s solar panel rebate is still open: up to $1,400, plus an optional interest-free loan of up to $1,400.
- From 1 July 2026 the household income cap dropped from $210,000 to $150,000.
- The home must be worth under $3 million, and the address can’t have had solar installed in the last 10 years.
- Federal small-scale technology certificates (STCs) still reduce the price of your system on top of the state rebate.
Victoria’s Solar Homes Program has helped fund more than 500,000 rebates and loans since 2018, and the state now has over 850,000 rooftop solar systems. The program is still running in 2026, but the rules tightened on 1 July. Here’s what you can claim now, who qualifies, and how the process works.
How much is the Victorian solar rebate in 2026?
The Solar Homes solar panel (PV) rebate is worth up to $1,400. Eligible households can also take an optional interest-free loan of up to $1,400, repaid over four years (about $29 a month). Together they can take up to $2,800 off the upfront cost of a system.
The rebate amount itself didn’t change on 1 July 2026. What changed was who can get it.
What changed on 1 July 2026?
In May 2026 Solar Victoria announced that the combined household income cap would fall from $210,000 to $150,000 from 1 July 2026. Applications lodged under the old cap had to be submitted by 30 June 2026.
Solar Victoria says more than 80% of past customers would still have qualified under the new limit, and over 55% of solar rebates have gone to households earning under $100,000. So most typical families are still eligible.
From 1 July 2026 there are also stronger rules for the businesses that sell and install systems under the program:
- Apprentice electricians must be actively supervised, in line with Energy Safe Victoria requirements.
- Inverters and other connected devices must meet the new national cyber security rules for smart devices (for example, no default passwords).
Who is eligible for the Solar Homes rebate?
| Requirement | Rule from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Ownership | Owner-occupier of an existing home, or owner of a home under construction |
| Income | Combined taxable income of all owners under $150,000 a year |
| Property value | Under $3 million |
| Previous rebates | No previous Solar Homes solar or battery rebate at the address |
| Existing solar | No solar panels installed at the address in the last 10 years |
| Retailer and products | Must use a Solar Victoria authorised retailer and eligible products |
| Timing | Install within 120 days of approval (270 days for homes under construction) |
Separate streams also exist for rental properties, community housing and apartments (up to $2,800 per household for apartments), each with its own rules.
How to apply, step by step
- Get a quote from a Solar Victoria authorised retailer for an eligible system.
- Get network pre-approval. Your retailer applies to your electricity distributor to connect the system.
- Apply online through the Solar Victoria portal and upload your documents, including proof of income and ownership.
- Receive your eligibility QR code and share it with your retailer.
- Get your system installed within 120 days. The rebate is taken off your invoice, so you don’t wait for a refund.
Tip: Ask your retailer to confirm they are authorised under Solar Homes before you sign. Only authorised retailers can process the rebate.
Don’t forget the federal STC discount
Separately from the state rebate, almost every rooftop solar system in Australia earns small-scale technology certificates (STCs) under the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. Installers usually take the value of these certificates straight off the quote. The STC discount shrinks each year until the scheme ends in 2030, so it’s worth more the sooner you install.
If you’re adding a battery, the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program can also reduce the cost substantially.
Is solar still worth it in Victoria?
Victoria no longer has a minimum feed-in tariff, so the value of solar now comes mostly from using your own power rather than exporting it. With the new midday “solar soak” pricing and electric hot water, solar is still one of the best ways to cut bills. See our guide to Victorian feed-in tariffs and the Midday Power Saver for more detail.
Sources: Solar Victoria – Solar panel rebate (updated 28 Sep 2026); Solar Victoria – Solar Homes Program continuing to provide targeted assistance (29 May 2026); Solar Victoria – Stronger safety and cyber security protections (26 May 2026). Rebate rules can change; always check the Solar Victoria website before applying. Featured image: Downtowngal / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
