What rebates can VIC households actually claim in 2026?
Australian solar rebates come in two layers: the federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme that every household gets, and a state-specific top-up that varies by where you live. Victoria households can stack both, plus the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program if you're adding storage.
For a typical 6.6 kW system in VIC, the federal STC rebate is worth about $1,189. VIC sits in STC Zone 4, which means the zone rating multiplier is 1.185 (the lowest band, due to lower year-round irradiance). The rebate is applied as a point-of-sale discount on your invoice. You never receive cash directly; you simply pay less for the system.
Active VIC programs (May 2026)
Solar Homes — Solar Panel (PV) Rebate
Solar Victoria's flagship rebate cuts $1,400 off a new rooftop solar system, applied as a point-of-sale discount on your invoice.
Solar Homes — Hot Water Rebate
Rebate on a heat-pump or solar hot-water system to replace a gas or electric storage unit. Stacks with the panel rebate within the household's annual cap.
Recently closed in VIC
Programs that have closed in the last 18 months — kept here so you can search and confirm what's gone.
Solar Homes — Battery Loan
Closed May 2025. Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program now the primary battery support.
Feed-in tariffs in Victoria
From 1 July 2025 Victoria no longer sets a regulated minimum solar feed-in tariff. Retailers set their own voluntary rates; sector-average rates for 2025/26 sit around 1.1 c/kWh, with the highest competitive plans up to ~6.7 c/kWh.
The feed-in tariff is what your retailer pays you for solar power you export back to the grid. It's not part of the rebate, but it's a major driver of long-term savings. Choosing a retailer with a high feed-in rate can be worth $200–$500 a year on top of the rebate.
| Retailer | Solar feed-in rate | Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | 5.4c/kWh | — |
| AGL | 4.5c/kWh | — |
| Powershop | 6.7c/kWh | — |
| Tango Energy | 5.0c/kWh | — |
Rates checked against retailers' published plans. They change frequently and can vary by network area; use the AER's Energy Made Easy comparison tool for the live picture. Full VIC feed-in tariff comparison →
How much is solar worth in Victoria?
Real-world payback for a typical 6.6 kW system in VIC sits between 3 and 5 years, depending on daytime usage and retailer choice. VIC has lower peak-sun-hours than the northern states (about 3.9 per day), but the rebate stack is generous enough that payback is still comparable. On a 6.6 kW system, the typical VIC household saves about $ 1,971 per year against their current electricity bill.
What size system fits a VIC home?
- Apartment / small home: 5 kW — about 15 panels. Suits 1–2 person households on quarterly bills under $300.
- Typical family home: 6.6 kW — about 19.799999999999997 panels. The most-installed size in Australia. Suits 3–4 person households with quarterly bills $300–$600.
- Larger home / battery-ready: 10 kW or more. Suits households with pools, ducted air-con, EV charging, or planning to add a battery within 12–18 months.
See your exact VIC rebate
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The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program
From 1 July 2025 every state can claim the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program — about $372 per kWh of installed usable battery capacity. On a 13.5 kWh battery (a Tesla Powerwall 3 or equivalent) that's roughly $5,000 off. It stacks on top of VIC state programs (where applicable) and on top of the STC rebate for any solar installed at the same time.
The catch
The federal STC rebate steps down each January by roughly 1/15th. Today's $1,189 federal rebate will be about $ 1,110 in 12 months, and lower again the year after that. The scheme phases out entirely by 2030. If you've been thinking about solar, getting locked in this year is measurably more valuable than waiting.
How we get you the best rebate without the legwork
We're a free service for VIC homeowners. You give us your postcode and bill range, we match you with one CEC-accredited installer who works in your area, and they apply every rebate you're eligible for at the point of sale. No quote-shopping. No call-centre scripts. One specialist, one number.
- 30-second eligibility check on this page — postcode, ownership, bill, roof.
- A friendly follow-up from your specialist within 24 to 48 hours.
- Matched with a single CEC-accredited installer in VIC.
- Installer applies every rebate at invoice. You pay the discounted price, that's it.
Common questions about Victoria solar rebates
How much is the solar rebate in Victoria in 2026?
Most VIC households claim about $2,570 in stacked rebates on a typical 6.6 kW system. That's roughly $1,189 in federal STC value, plus around $1,400 from VIC-specific programs.
Which state-specific rebates can I claim in Victoria?
VIC currently has 2 active programs in May 2026: Solar Homes — Solar Panel (PV) Rebate; Solar Homes — Hot Water Rebate. Recently closed in VIC: Solar Homes — Battery Loan.
What feed-in tariff will I get in Victoria?
From 1 July 2025 Victoria no longer sets a regulated minimum solar feed-in tariff. Retailers set their own voluntary rates; sector-average rates for 2025/26 sit around 1.1 c/kWh, with the highest competitive plans up to ~6.7 c/kWh. Typical rates currently range from 0 c/kWh to 6.7 c/kWh depending on retailer. The cheapest plan isn't always the best feed-in plan, so it's worth comparing both together.
How big a system do most Victoria homes install?
The typical VIC home installs a 6.6 kW system. Smaller homes or apartments often go with 5 kW; larger family homes with batteries or pool pumps usually size up to 10 kW.
Does the federal STC rebate apply in Victoria?
Yes. The federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme applies in every state. Victoria sits in STC Zone 4, which gives an STC zone rating of 1.185. On a typical 6.6 kW system this is worth about $1,189 off the invoice.
How long does payback take in Victoria?
For most VIC households the payback period on a typical 6.6 kW system is 3–5 years, depending on daytime usage, system size, and electricity retailer. Battery payback is longer (typically 7–10 years) but improves substantially with the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
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