About the rebate
The solar homes program provides rebates of up to $1,400 towards the installation of solar panel (PV) systems. These rebates are offered to Victorians with existing homes, homes under construction, and rental properties. Eligible customers who have previously received a rebate and have moved house can apply. If your system is over ten years’ old you can also apply to replace or upgrade your system.
To further reduce installation costs, eligible Victorians can apply for an interest-free loan for an amount equivalent to their rebate amount. The loan is required to be repaid over four years or can be repaid sooner in one lump sum.
Am I eligible?
As an applicant, you must understand the Solar Homes Program eligibility criteria.
As a Victorian householder, you could receive a solar panel (PV) rebate if you meet the following criteria:
- you are the owner-occupier of an existing property or the owner of a home under construction where the system is to be installed
- the combined household taxable income of all owners is less than $210,000 per year
- the property is valued at under $3 million, or a home under construction that will be valued at under $3 million at the time of completion
- the property address has not previously received a solar panel (PV) rebate under the Solar Homes Program
- the property has not had a solar panel (PV) system installed in the last ten years*
*If you are participating in the Premium Feed-in Tariff scheme you should consider whether you will be better off if you replace your existing system before the scheme ends in November 2024.
Once you're confident that you and your property meet the eligibility criteria, you should start your research and contact an authorised solar provider for a quote to supply and install a solar panel (PV) system. To be eligible for a rebate, products to be installed must be on our products list.
Your retailer will then upload your quote with Solar Victoria and an email will be sent to you with your quote number so you can start your application. You will need to provide proof of income and a Council Rates Notice to confirm your eligibility. If you are applying for a rebate for a home under construction, you can also upload a copy of your Certificate of Title (available from ) or other documents as proof of ownership where the Council Rates Notice or Certificate of Title are not available.
When your eligibility is confirmed, your retailer will claim the rebate on your behalf and deduct the rebate amount from the total cost of your system. You will then pay the outstanding balance directly to your retailer once your solar is installed.
Solar Homes customers who maximise the use of the energy generated by their solar panel system can save over $1,000 each year.
Applying for a second rebate if you move house
Solar Victoria is making it easier for existing customers to access incentives when they move house.
If you received a solar PV rebate at your old address and have moved house, you can now apply for multiple incentives for the property you have moved to.
This includes a solar PV rebate and loan, hot water rebate and battery loan, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
You must be living in the property as your primary place of residence to apply.
Information for homes under construction
You can apply for the solar PV rebate of up to $1,400 and interest-free loan while your house is being built. You could save on installation costs and start saving with solar as soon as you move in.
If you intend to apply for the solar PV rebate while your home is under construction, we recommend that you:
- Talk to your builder as early as possible during the planning phase about your preference for solar
- You will need the builder's consent for the solar installation to occur during the build
- Discuss with your builder when and how solar products can be installed by an authorised solar retailer under the Solar Homes Program. This will help inform when you are at the right stage of construction to submit your rebate application.
- Read our solar panel PV Buyers Guide and speak to an authorised solar retailer about products will best suit your new roof and home
- Give this information to your builder so you can apply for a rebate when your house is ready for installation during construction. When your builder advises you of the date for installation, you should confirm this with your solar retailer
- Read the FAQ for more information
- Demonstrate property ownership with a Council Rates Notice, a copy of your Certificate of Title (available through )
Other documents may be accepted as proof of ownership where a copy of the Certificate of Title or a Council Rates Notice are not available.
While under construction, new homes will not be eligible for any other rebates or loans under the Solar Homes Program.
You may be eligible for other rebates under the Solar Homes program once construction is complete.
Other Solar Victoria incentives
The Solar Homes Program is supporting eligible Victorian households to save even more. New and existing solar PV customers can now apply for a hot water rebate and interest-free solar battery loan if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Start your research and learn more about what products best suit your home. Our Solar Buyers Guides have information to help you learn more about solar products so you can start talking to retailers and start saving more with solar.
Reviewed 07 December 2023
