Solar Rebates Australia 2026

Australians can save thousands on solar and batteries through federal and state government programs. Every program is below, with what it is worth and where it stands. Find out what you're eligible for.

See my rebate

Rooftop solar panels on a brick home in a suburban street

Solar and battery rebates, up to: $8,000+; See the working
Battery discount: 30%
Scheme end date: 2030
Federal investment: $7.2B

Federal rebate programs

Available to all Australians regardless of which state you live in.

Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)

The main federal solar rebate. Save $1,482 to $4,066 on your solar system, depending on size and STC zone, through instant point-of-sale discounts.

Saving: Up to $4,066
Status: Active until 2030

Cheaper Home Batteries Program

New federal program offering ~30% off eligible battery systems. Launched July 2025.

Saving: ~30% off batteries
Status: Active until 2030

The battery discount, worked by battery size and with the 1 January 2027 step-down: Solar battery rebate 2026.

Learn more about federal rebates

Can you get free solar panels in 2026?

Learn how Australians are combining federal and state rebates to get solar installed for $0 upfront.

What is the $7,000 solar rebate?

The truth about the "$7,000 solar rebate": what it is, who qualifies, and how to get the most from it in 2026.

Business solar rebate: what your company can claim

Federal STC rebate ($6,726 to $9,234 for 30kW, depending on STC zone) plus instant asset write-off (25 to 30% tax saving). Most businesses save 30 to 45% off the gross system cost.

State and territory rebates

Additional incentives vary by location. Select your state to see what's available.

Rebate timeline

Solar rebates decrease each year. This is what to expect.

Year	STC deeming	Battery rate	Note
2026	5 years	~$258/kWh	May 2026: tiered battery rates begin
2027	4 years	Stepping down	A significant reduction in savings
2028	3 years	Stepping down	Rebates continue to decrease
2029	2 years	Stepping down	Rebates keep stepping down
2030	1 year	Stepping down	Scheme ends 31 December

Why act now? Installing solar in 2026 locks in higher rebate values. Waiting until 2027 cuts the solar rebate by $342 to $684 on a 6.6kW to 13.3kW system in Zone 3, and the battery rebate steps down on the same day. The rebate decreases automatically each 1 January.

Solar rebate questions

What solar rebates are available in Australia in 2026?

Two main federal programs: Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) that save $1,482 to $4,066 on solar panels depending on system size and zone, and the Cheaper Home Batteries Program offering ~30% off eligible battery systems. Only a few states add a cash rebate of their own in 2026: Victoria on panels and WA on batteries. Others offer loans or incentives with conditions.

How much is the solar rebate in 2026?

The federal STC rebate saves most households $1,482 to $4,066 depending on system size and STC zone. The rebate decreases each year and ends in 2030. Installing in 2026 locks in higher rebate values than waiting until 2027 or later.

Do solar rebates decrease over time?

Yes. The STC deeming period drops each January 1st, reducing the rebate value. In 2026 the deeming period is 5 years. By 2029 it will be 2 years. The scheme ends entirely on 31 December 2030.

Can I combine federal and state solar rebates?

Yes. Federal STCs apply Australia-wide and can be combined with state-level incentives. For example, Victorian households can stack the $1,400 state rebate with federal STCs. Some households combine enough rebates to get solar installed for $0 upfront.

What is the current government rebate for solar panels?

In 2026 it is the federal STC rebate, a point-of-sale discount worth about $1,710 on a 6.6kW system in STC Zone 3 and about $1,482 in Zone 4. Victoria adds up to $1,400 through Solar Homes for eligible households.

Are solar rebates being cut?

Yes, on 1 January 2027. The solar rebate's deeming period drops from 5 years to 4, so a 6.6kW system in Zone 3 loses about $342, and the battery factor drops from 6.8 to 5.7 certificates per kWh, then again every six months to 2030 (Clean Energy Regulator).

Is there a battery rebate in Australia?

Yes. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers ~30% off eligible battery systems and is active until 2030. Some states offer additional battery incentives, such as SA's REPS VPP rebate (up to $2,050, currently for priority applicants) and WA's battery rebate ($1,300 to $3,800).

Find out what you're eligible for

Answer a few quick questions and we'll show you exactly which rebates apply to your situation.