Who claims the solar rebate on a rental?
The landlord. The federal STC discount goes to whoever owns the system, and on a rental that is the property owner. The state landlord programs below work the same way. Tenants don't claim anything directly; they get the benefit as a lower electricity bill, because the solar power is used in their home before it is exported.
Landlord solar programs by state
Checked on each program page on 10 October 2026.
- VIC, Solar Homes rebate for rental properties: up to $1,400 off a solar panel system, plus an optional interest-free loan matching the rebate, repaid over 4 years. The renters' combined household taxable income must be under $150,000 a year (it was $210,000 until 1 July 2026); the property must be valued under $3,000,000; a landlord can claim for at most 2 rental properties each financial year; and landlord and renter both sign a Solar Homes Program Agreement. Solar Victoria, solar rebates for rental properties, page updated 7 July 2026.
- QLD, Supercharged Solar for Renters: up to $3,500 for landlords, open since 12 December 2025. The property must be a house, duplex, townhouse or granny flat (apartments are excluded), rented at $1,000 a week or less, individually metered, owned by an individual rather than a trust or company, and have no solar already. The system must be at least 3 kW. The landlord needs the tenant's consent and must get conditional approval before buying or installing; the lease must have at least 8 months left at final approval; up to 3 properties per landlord. Queensland Treasury, Supercharged Solar for Renters, page updated 4 March 2026.
- NSW, Home Energy Saver: no landlord rebate, but landlords who own the property and have a combined household income up to $210,000 can take the up to $15,000 zero-interest loan. Renters on up to $80,000 a year or with an eligible concession card will be able to apply for a discount of up to $4,000 with the landlord's approval; that discount is coming soon: applications not yet open. NSW Climate and Energy Action, Home Energy Saver, page updated 7 August 2026.
- Other states and territories: the landlord gets the federal STC discount and any general state program on our state rebate pages.
What a 6.6 kW rental system costs the landlord
Our system price data puts a 6.6 kW install at $6,900 to $9,200 before rebates (gross). The STC discount varies by climate zone, so it is shown for each capital. The state column is the program maximum; the actual amount can be lower.
| Where | Federal STC discount | State landlord program | Price after rebates (net) | Share of the gross price, if the maximum applies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney (NSW) | $1,784 (45 STCs) | None for rentals; landlords can apply for the Home Energy Saver loan | $5,116 to $7,416 | 19% to 26% |
| Melbourne (VIC) | $1,546 (39 STCs) | Up to $1,400 rental rebate | $3,954 to $6,254 | 32% to 43% |
| Brisbane (QLD) | $1,784 (45 STCs) | Up to $3,500 for landlords, houses only | $1,616 to $3,916 | 57% to 77% |
STCs valued at $39.65 each for a 2026 install. Installers usually pass on slightly less after certificate costs.
How to put it to your landlord
Keep it to the facts that apply to the property: the price after rebates from the table above, the program the landlord can claim, and what it needs from you. In Victoria the renters' income test applies to your household, so the landlord needs you on board to claim. In Queensland the landlord needs your written consent and conditional approval before anything is bought. Queensland's own estimate is that a renting household in its program saves around $700 a year, depending on location and system size.
We don't quote figures on rent increases or sale prices for homes with solar: we haven't found Australian data we can source and date. A landlord who asks is best pointed at the program page for their state.
If your landlord says no
- Free midday power. Since 1 July 2026, larger retailers in NSW, south-east Queensland and South Australia must offer the Solar Sharer plan, with at least 3 free hours of power in the middle of the day. Victoria's Midday Power Saver started 1 October 2026. Shifting washing, dishwashing and hot water into those hours gets part of the solar saving without panels. See our Solar Sharer guide.
- Strata solar. If you rent an apartment, the NSW and Victorian strata grants fund shared systems that supply rented units too. See solar for apartments.
- Community solar. Some community energy groups sell shares in a local solar farm with credits on your bill. Read the terms closely: what you pay, how credits are calculated, and what happens if you move.
- Portable panels. Panels that plug into the house wiring aren't approved for connection here; any panel feeding a home's switchboard has to be installed by a licensed electrician.
Common questions
Can I get solar if I rent?
Only with your landlord's agreement, because the system is fixed to the building and the landlord owns it. Victoria (up to $1,400, renters' income under $150,000) and Queensland (up to $3,500, houses only) pay landlords a rebate for rentals. You benefit through a lower electricity bill. Checked 10 October 2026.
Does the landlord get the solar rebate?
Yes. The landlord owns the system, so the federal STC discount, $1,784 on a 6.6 kW system in Sydney, comes off the landlord's invoice. The Victorian and Queensland rental rebates are paid for the landlord too.
Is there a solar rebate for landlords?
In Victoria and Queensland. Victoria's rental rebate is up to $1,400 plus a matching interest-free loan, for at most 2 properties a financial year, when the renters' household income is under $150,000. Queensland's Supercharged Solar for Renters pays up to $3,500 on a rented house, townhouse or granny flat, with conditional approval needed before you install. In NSW, landlords can use the Home Energy Saver zero-interest loan.
What can renters do if the landlord won't install solar?
Look at a free midday power plan. Since 1 July 2026, larger retailers in NSW, south-east Queensland and South Australia must offer the Solar Sharer plan with at least 3 free hours a day, and Victoria's Midday Power Saver started 1 October 2026. If you rent in a strata building, the NSW and Victorian strata grants also fund shared systems that supply rented apartments.
Sources
- Solar Victoria, solar rebates for rental properties , page updated 7 July 2026, checked 10 October 2026.
- Queensland Treasury, Supercharged Solar for Renters , page updated 4 March 2026, checked 10 October 2026.
- NSW Climate and Energy Action, Home Energy Saver , page updated 7 August 2026, checked 10 October 2026.
- AER: Solar Sharer Offer fact sheet, DMO 8 final determination (May 2026) , checked 29 September 2026.
- Essential Services Commission: Victorian Midday Power Saver , checked 29 September 2026.
General information only, not financial, tax or credit advice. We match you with one SAA-accredited installer; we are not a lender or a broker.