Solar Victoria solar panel rebate: who’s eligible and how to apply

Solar Victoria’s Solar Homes Program stacks on top of the federal STC discount. It’s paid to your retailer and deducted from your invoice, so the saving shows up on the bill you pay, not later. Here’s how it works as of October 2026, from Solar Victoria’s solar panel rebate page.

How much you can get

The rebate is worked out after the federal discount. To see what that’s worth for your system, read how much the solar rebate (STCs) is worth.

Who is eligible

• You’re the owner-occupier of an existing home, or the owner of a home under construction.
• The combined taxable income of all owners is less than $150,000 a year.
• The property is valued at under $3 million (for a new home, once it’s built).
• The address hasn’t had a solar panel or battery rebate under the program before.
• No solar system has been installed at the address in the last 10 years.
• The system uses eligible products and is installed by an authorised retailer.

How to apply, step by step

1. Choose a Solar Victoria authorised retailer, or filter our directory to authorised retailers.
2. Pick a system from Solar Victoria’s eligible product lists.
3. Get a written quote. The retailer arranges pre-approval from your electricity distributor, then uploads the quote to the Solar Victoria portal.
4. Wait for Solar Victoria’s email confirming the upload.
5. Upload proof of eligibility: two forms of ID, proof of income, and proof you own the property.
6. Wait for confirmation and your QR code.
7. Have the system installed within the time limit. The installer scans your QR code on site before any work starts.
8. Pay the retailer the total cost minus the rebate.
9. If you chose the loan, repayments start 30 days after the installation is approved.

Time limits

Building? You can apply during construction, but talk to your builder early so the installation fits the build schedule.

Before you sign the quote

Solar Victoria’s own checklist of what to look for in a solar quote includes:

• the size and type of panels and inverter
• an estimate of the system’s yearly production in kWh
• any extra charges, such as switchboard upgrades or work on a double-storey home
• the STC discount and the Solar Homes rebate, both reflected in the price
• a clear contract, including what happens to your deposit if the contract ends.

Solar Victoria also recommends getting at least three quotes for a similar-sized system. Our questions to ask before you sign cover accreditation, warranties and cooling-off rights.

Other Solar Homes rebates

The program also offers a hot water rebate for heat pump and solar hot water systems. Victoria is changing its building rules too: from 1 January 2027 new homes must be all-electric, and from 1 March 2027 a gas hot water system in an existing home must be replaced with an efficient electric one when it reaches the end of its life.

This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rules, rebates and prices change, so check the linked sources before you decide. Facts checked 18 October 2026.