Federal government solar panel rebate 2026

The national solar panel rebate is still available up until its slated end date at the end of 2030.

Provided you meet the eligibility requirements, any new purchase of solar panels can receive the rebate. For a typical 6.6kW system, the rebate can reduce the price of going solar by between $1,500 - $2,000. While larger systems attract a bigger rebate.

In addition to the solar panel rebate, the Australian government provides a solar battery rebate. It is possible to claim both the national solar panel and battery rebates in one installation.

The possible savings don't end with these two federal incentives, there are also a number of state government subsidies available for solar panels, batteries and energy upgrades. We summarise all of this information for you, explain how the solar panel rebate works and tell you how you can claim it.

If you want to find out exactly how you can receive in your postcode, you can jump to our STC rebate calculator.

How the solar rebate works

The national solar panel rebate is part of the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. It is an incentive program to reduce the upfront cost of solar panels.

Technically, it is not a rebate! When you purchase new solar panels, the government estimates how much solar electricity your system will generate. It issues you with Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on the anticipated energy production of the system up until 2030.

The size of your system and your location, are critical to working out how many STCs you qualify for. Areas of Australia that receive more sunshine hours, qualify for more STCs. For this purpose, the Australian continent is split into four rebate zones.

Queensland benefits from more sunshine hours than Victoria, and so they receive more STCs for the same size system, and get a larger rebate.

STCs are traded

The Australian government doesn’t buy your STCs, instead they are traded on an open market. The STC price for each certificate is relatively stable, typically varying anywhere between $37 - $40. The solar panel rebate is then calculated by multiplying the number of STCs by the market price.

Installers handle the STC rebate for you

As a new solar owner, you don’t need to worry about trading certificates or any paperwork. Your installer company will handle the solar panel rebate for you. It is automatically taken off the purchase price of the system, you pay the installer the net price and they then sell the certificates and claim the rebate.

The rebate ends in 2030

The solar panel rebate ends on the 31st December 2030. Each year, the value of the rebate decreases. To ensure you get the highest rebate, it's best to purchase a new solar system before the end of the calendar year, if possible.

Annual reduction in the solar rebate

At the time of writing, there are five years left in the scheme. If you plan to install solar panels in Brisbane for example, waiting one more year will reduce the rebate by $360 for a 6.6kW system.

The rebate does not cover solar batteries

The federal solar panel rebate does not apply to solar batteries. There is now a separate federal battery incentive. It is possible to claim both rebates if you install a solar panel and battery system.

Feed-in tariffs are not part of the rebate

A solar feed-in tariff, is a different form of incentive and is not part of the solar panel rebate. Feed-in tariffs are a financial credit you receive for each unit (kWh) of electricity your system generates and sends back to the grid.

Feed-in rates vary by state. Some state governments regulate them, while others don’t. If they are not regulated, the rate is set by your electricity retailer.

The value of the solar panel rebate

The solar rebate value varies according to your location, the size of the system you install and the current STC price. The table below provides a quick guide to the average rebate value for different system sizes in each state:

*Assumes a $40 STC price

Solar rebate eligibility requirements

Claiming the solar panel rebate is relatively simple, but there is some important eligibility criteria that needs to be met. We list the eligibility requirements for the rebate below:

• The system must be under 100kW
• The system needs to be designed by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited designer
• The system needs to be installed by a SAA accredited installer
• The panels appear on the Clean Energy Council’s (CEC) list of approved modules
• The inverter must appear on the CEC’s list of approved inverters
• The STCs must be claimed within 12 months of the date of installation
• The system must meet Australian and New Zealand standards
• The system must comply with all local, state and federal requirements

All of the above eligibility requirements can be met with little hassle, if you choose a good installer. The solar companies that we arrange to provide quotes to customers are all pre-vetted and comply with all of the above criteria.

How to claim the rebate

If you engage a good installer, they can help answer your questions and ensure you meet the eligibility requirements.

Start by getting a rough idea of the type and size of system you want, then get some quotes from different solar companies.

Once you select an installer and decide on a system, you will pay them the net cost of the system and they will handle the claim process for you.

State-by-state solar and energy rebates

New South Wales

It's a great time to be investing in solar power in NSW. Below is a list of the incentives currently available:

• Federal government solar rebate: A 6.6kW home solar system can attract a rebate of approximately $1,800.
• Batteries: The NSW government VPP rebate can add savings of between $400 - $1,500.
• Feed-in tariffs: Rates in NSW range between 4c and 10c per kilowatt hour, depending on your electricity provider.
• Low Income electricity rebate: Eligible concession card holders can receive an electricity rebate of up to $313.50.
• Energy savings scheme: Upgrade different systems in your home to be more energy-efficient and receive a discount on the cost. Systems include lighting, air conditioning, hot water, and pool pumps.

For full information on all of the initiatives, visit our solar panel rebate NSW page.

Victoria

The Victorian government currently has a range of additional incentives for households, we have summarised them below:

• Federal government solar rebate: An 8kW system can attract a rebate of approximately $1,880 in Victoria.
• Feed-in tariffs: Victorian tariffs are set by electricity retailers and typically range between 1.0c - 11c.
• Victorian Solar panel (PV) rebate: Receive a discount of up to $1,400 for new solar panel systems or to upgrade/replace systems that are over ten years old. You can also apply for an interest-free loan up to the same amount.
• Solar rebates for rental properties: Get up to $1,400 off new solar panel systems for your rental properties, with a limit of two per financial year. Interest-free loans up to the same amount are also available.
• Hot water rebate: Get up to $1,400 off eligible heat pumps and hot water systems.
• Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program: Replace old appliances with energy-efficient models, upgrade your pool pump, or switch to a more energy-efficient heating, cooling, or hot water system and enjoy a state-funded discount.

Read our comprehensive guide on how to claim all of the solar rebates in Victoria.

Queensland

Queensland is another state that has a generous incentive scheme for solar buyers. View the list of rebates available below:

• Federal government solar rebate: A 10kW system can attract a rebate of approximately $2,760 in Queensland.
• Supercharged Solar for Renters rebate worth up to $3,500 is available to landlords in QLD that install a new system at rental property.
• Feed-in tariffs: Rates in south-east Queensland are set by electricity retailers, whilst homes in regional Queensland will receive a flat rate of 8.66c per kWh.
• Community Solar Banks program: Eligible residents of Townsville and Caloundra can participate in Community Solar Banks program where a shared solar arrangement can reduce electricity bills.

Read our guide for further information on the solar rebate in Queensland.

Western Australia

View a summary of the incentives available in Western Australia below:

• Federal government solar rebate: Is available in Western Australia.
• WA government battery rebate: Eligible households can receive up to $7,500 off the cost of a battery.
• Feed-in tariffs: The rate in Perth is set at 2.0c per kWh during off-peak times and 10.0c during peak periods. The rates in regional WA are slightly better, depending on your location.

In addition to claiming the WA solar rebate on panels, residents can now also benefit from two battery rebates. The first is the federal battery rebate, the second is the WA residential solar battery rebate.

South Australia

The South Australian government and local councils are typically proactive with sustainable initiatives. We have summarised them below:

• Federal government solar rebate: A future-proof 13kW system can attract a rebate of approximately $3,560 in South Australia.
• Feed-in tariffs: FIT rates in SA range between 2c and 10c per kWh, depending on your electricity provider.
  Homeowners in the City of Adelaide can access additional incentives:
• Residential Solar PV rebate: Concession card holders, tenanted, or strata-managed residential properties can access discounts for new solar systems.
• Commercial solar rebate: Receive a 20% rebate, up to $1,000 for a commercial system up to 20kW.
• Appliance electrification: Receive a 50% rebate, up to $2,000, when you replace gas or wood-burning appliances with electric or solar-powered ones.
• Electric vehicle charging stations: Receive up to $2,000 off the installation cost of an electric bicycle or electric vehicle charging station.

Read about all the details of the SA solar rebate.

Solar rebates TAS

Here’s what’s on offer across Tasmania:

• Federal government solar rebate: Is available in Tasmania.
• Feed-in tariffs: The rate in Tasmania is locked in at 8.782c / kWh until June 2026.
• Energy Saver Loan scheme: Tasmania's interest-free loan scheme has now closed.

Solar rebates ACT

Below is a summary list of the incentives available in the Australian Capital Territory:

• Federal government solar rebate: Available to all ACT residents.
• Feed-in tariffs: Rates in the ACT range between 4c – 10c per kWh, depending on your retailer.
• Home Energy Support rebate: Get up to $2,500 off the installation cost of a new solar system, reverse cycle heating and cooling, hot water heat pump, electric stove and oven, or ceiling insulation. This rebate is available only to holders of an Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card, a Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card, or an Australian Government Health Care Card. The details can be found here.
• Sustainable Household Scheme loans: Get a low-interest loan (3%) of up to $15,000 for a range of projects, including new household battery storage, home energy upgrades, and electric vehicles. Further information is available in our ACT Sustainable Household Scheme guide.
• Electric vehicle incentives: Enjoy two years of free registration and no stamp duty on different low- and zero-emission vehicles. View all the details at the Access Canberra website.

Northern Territory

Energy incentives available in the Northern Territory:

• Federal government solar rebate: The Northern Territory attracts a good sized rebate.
• Feed-in tariffs: Rates in NT range between 9.33c and 18.66c per kWh, depending on your retailer.
• Home and Business Battery Scheme: Funding for this scheme is currently closed. A grant was available for up to $5,000 to install an inverter and battery with a new solar system or to add a battery and inverter to an existing system.
• Electric vehicle incentives: Enjoy free registration for new and used EVs, get up to $1,500 stamp duty concession, and install a new home charger with a grant of up to $1,000.

Next steps

If learning about these rebates has made your solar dream seem more achievable, here are the next steps you can take:

• Use our tool to calculate how many panels you need.
• Read our tips for choosing the best solar installer.
• Learn about financing your solar system.