Solar rebates and incentives in Queensland

The QLD solar rebate is available to all households and businesses that install new solar panels.

There are also currently a handful of additional rebates available to QLD residents and organisations, we have listed them below:

• The federal solar rebate available to QLD residents
• Solar feed-in tariffs
• Community solar programs (Townsville and Caloundra)
• Sustainability grants for organisations

The Queensland government battery rebate (Battery Booster Program) has now closed.

In this article we explain the eligibility requirements, value of the rebate and tell you how you can claim it. We also cover all of the other solar and energy incentives available in Queensland.

QLD solar panel rebate

The federal STC rebate, also known as the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, is available in Queensland. Given the nature of how the rebate works, whereby postcodes that receive more sunshine hours get a larger rebate, Queenslanders are well placed to take full advantage of the incentive.

A system installed in Brisbane, will generate a certain number of Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). The number of certificates you receive depends on the predicted energy generation of the system up until the end of 2030. The larger the system, the more STCs you get.

Once you install the system, your solar installer will then claim back the solar rebate for you on your behalf. You only pay the net cost of the system.

Queensland solar rebate end date

The solar rebate in Queensland ends on the 31st December 2030. Each year, the rebate diminishes in value, in line with the scheme’s end date.

How much will the scheme save me in QLD?

The federal solar rebate in Queensland can reduce the cost of your solar panels by up to a third.

The exact amount you’ll receive depends on three factors:

• Where you live in Queensland: Different zones receive different solar ratings, but generally, Queensland enjoys high ratings thanks to its sunny weather.
• How soon you install your new system: The STC rebate is based on how much electricity your system will produce until 2030. This means you’ll receive fewer STCs the longer you wait.
• Your system size: A bigger solar system will produce more energy than a smaller one. So, the larger your system, the more STCs it will receive.

The table below shows the rebate value you can expect for different-sized solar systems in South East Queensland.

Queensland STC solar rebate value:

Solarcalculator.com.au’s STC Calculator can help you estimate the rebate amount for your system size and location.

How do I know if I’m eligible?

Anyone who installs new solar panels can claim the rebate. System upgrades, panel replacements, and even solar hot water pumps are all eligible. According to the Clean Energy Regulator, 76,656 Queensland homes and small businesses benefited from the scheme in 2022, bringing the total number of homes with rooftop solar in Queensland to 1,079,102.

To make sure your new solar panels will qualify, follow the steps below:

• Use Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved parts.
• Choose a SAA accredited installer to perform the installation.
• Install your new solar panels within 12 months of creating the STCs.
• Keep your system under 100kW, with a maximum annual production of 250MWh.

How do I apply?

If you meet the criteria, your solar installer will calculate your STC rebate amount and deduct it from your installation cost. You don’t need to do anything extra to claim your incentive!

QLD Battery Booster program

In 2024, the Queensland government launched the Battery Booster program to help households install a battery for their new or existing home solar systems. The QLD battery rebate has now closed.

At the time of writing, it is not clear whether or not it will be reopened, or revamped at some point in the future.

There were two rebates available:

• Standard rebate: Households with a combined income of less than $180,000 can receive up to $3,000.
• Low-income rebate: If the highest income earner made $66,667 or less in the last financial year, households can receive up to $4,000.

Eligibility for the battery rebate

To receive the rebate you must meet the following criteria:

• Own the property where the battery system will be installed.
• Have a combined household income below $180,000.
• Have an existing solar system, or install a new solar system, with a minimum capacity of 5kW.
• Choose a battery from the Approved Battery System list.
• Use an installer on the Approved Installer list.
• Agree to a safety inspection for your project.

How do I apply?

Follow these steps to ensure your project qualifies for the rebate:

• Obtain a quote for your solar battery project from the Approved Installer list.
• Submit your quote to apply for conditional approval.
• Once you receive conditional approval, you can go ahead and install and pay for your battery system.
• After the installation, submit your invoice to receive your rebate.

Solar feed-in tariffs in QLD

The battery rebate may have ceased, but Queenslanders can still benefit from ongoing feed-in tariff incentives. Across Queensland, feed-in tariffs compare very favourably to other states. Typically, rates range from 8c – 12c.

The solar energy your system generates, first goes to any power any appliances you are using in your home, the excess is exported back to the grid, unless you have a battery you can store it in. A feed-in tariff is the credit you get paid for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity your system sends back to the grid.

Feed-in tariffs for South East Queensland

If you live in South East Queensland, your feed-in tariff rate is set by your electricity retailer. The state government sets no minimum rate, meaning retailers offer competitive rates. Also referred to as a market feed-in tariff, this system lets you shop for the best deal.

Feed-in Tariffs for regional Queensland

The situation is different if you live in regional Queensland. Instead of retailer-led pricing, regional Queenslanders can access a fixed feed-in tariff rate. For the 2024-25 financial year, this is locked in at 12.377 cents per kilowatt hour.

How do I claim my feed-in tariffs?

To be eligible to receive feed-in tariffs across Queensland, you’ll need to have a grid-connect solar system installed at your home. If you have multiple solar energy systems installed, only one per household is eligible to receive the tariff.

You’ll also need to register with your electricity retailer and give them details of your system, including its size and capacity (max 30kW).

Not all electricity providers offer feed-in tariffs, and some have specific conditions, like limiting eligibility to customers who purchase their solar panels through them.

You’ll receive your feed-in tariffs paid as a credit on your electricity bills.

Local government solar programs in QLD

Often, local governments provide incentives for their residents to install a battery, solar panels or upgrade electrical appliances. It’s worth checking with your local council to see what is available.

Brisbane City Council sustainability grant

The Brisbane City Council offers a sustainability grant for not-for-profit organisations and community groups up to the value of $10,000. The program works a little differently to other grants.

First, an energy audit is needed to assess what upgrades will have the greatest impact on saving energy and reducing carbon emissions. The grant can cover the audit, though it depends on the annual electricity spend. A grant for 20% of the annual electricity cost can go towards the audit, up to the value of $5,000.

Once the audit is complete, organisations can then apply for the remainder of the grant up to the value of $10,000. Upgrades include, solar panels, solar batteries and EV chargers.

Full details on the program can be found here. Our guide to going solar in Brisbane tells you everything you need to know about installing a system and selecting a reputable company.

Community Solar Bank – Caloundra and Townsville

If you live in Caloundra or Townsville, you may be able to participate in the Queensland government’s Community Solar Bank program. The initiative aims to reduce electricity bills for up to 5,500 households.

The Community Solar Bank program is geared towards apartment owners, renters and low-income households. Further details are pending, but the program boasts the potential to reduce electricity bills by up to $800.

You can read the program announcement here.

QLD government EV rebate

The Queensland government’s EV rebate closed in September 2024. The rebate provided up to $6,000 in funding to reduce the cost of a new EV purchase. While the scheme has closed, there are still many benefits to combining an EV with a new solar system.

Despite the closure of the scheme, EV owners can still benefit from reduced registration fees and transfer costs.

Former EV rebate details

The program offered a $6000 rebate when you buy a new electric vehicle (EV) with a maximum dutiable value of $68,000. The dutiable value includes the retail price with GST, the delivery and order fees, plus any optional extras or accessories.
Queenslanders who purchased a new EV between 16 March 2022 and 20 April 2023 were also eligible for the rebate, if the dutiable value of their vehicle was under $58,000.

For small businesses and households with a combined income of $180,000 or more, a $3000 rebate was available.

Next steps

If you’re keen to take advantage of the solar incentives available to Queenslanders, here are some next steps you can take:

• Use our solar panel and battery calculator to estimate your savings and payback on a new system.
• Learn more about solar system sizes, with our guides to 3kW systems, 5kW systems, 6.6kW systems, and 10kW systems.
• Learn more about choosing the right solar installer for you.