Clean Energy Guides:

Solar Victoria Rebates: Solar Homes Program

Updated on
March 21, 2024

The Solar Homes Program

The Victorian State government Solar Homes initiative offers various subsidies to encourage the adoption of solar technology and accelerate the States transition to a renewable energy system, helping Victorians save on their energy bills, tackle climate change and build a cleaner, renewable future.

More than 350,000 Victorians have received Solar Victoria rebates or interest free loan covering the installation of solar panels, solar batteries and hot water systems.

Solar panel (PV) Rebate

Solar Homes PV Icon

The solar panel (PV) rebate offers up to $1,400 towards the cost of solar panel installation.

These rebates are offered to Victorians with existing homes, homes under construction, and rental properties. Customers who have previously received a Solar Victoria rebate and have moved house can also apply. Additionally, if you currently have a solar PV system which is over ten years’ old you can also apply to replace or upgrade your system.

The eligibility application process is relatively quick and easy through the Solar Victoria Portal, and our customer service team will assist you if required. Essential Solar will claim the rebate on your behalf and the rebate amount will be deducted from the cost of your overall system and installation. You are responsible for paying any outstanding balance directly to us.

For further information please refer to the Solar Panel Rebate factsheet.

Solar panel (PV) Rebate Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Solar Panel rebate, you must: 

  • Be an owner-occupier of your property (or own a home under construction that will have solar panels installed when complete)
  • Not have had similar PV systems installed on the property in the last ten years
  • Not be living at a property address that previously received a rebate under the Solar Homes Program
  • Have a property valued under $3 million (built or under construction)
  • Have a combined taxable income of all owners of less than $211,000 annually

Solar Battery Loans

Solar battery loans are interest-free, up to $8,800, reducing the cost of installing new battery systems. 

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for a solar battery loan, you must: 

  • Be the owner-occupier of the property where you will install the system
  • Not have previously received a solar battery rebate
  • Have a combined taxable income of less than $210,000 annually for all property owners
  • Have a property valued at less than $3 million
  • Have a suitable inverter capacity installed
  • Get an energy storage solution greater than 6 kWh
  • Receive pre-approval from the relevant Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) for grid hook-up
  • Agree to receive information from DNSP about taking part in battery trials

Hot Water Rebate

The hot water rebate gives you up to $1,000 back on eligible hot water and heat pump systems. 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the hot water rebate, you must: 

  • Be the owner-occupier of the property where you want to install the new system
  • Have a combined household taxable income of less than $210,000 per year
  • Get the property valued at less than $3 million
  • Not have previously received a hot water rebate or solar battery rebate under the Solar Home Program
  • Have an existing hot water system that is more than three years old

Solar Rebates For Rental Properties

Solar rebates of up to $1,400 and interest-free loans are available for rental property owners.

Eligibility Requirements 

To qualify for a rental property solar rebate, you must: 

  • Have renters with a combined taxable income of less than $210,000 annually
  • Not have received more than two rebates for a rental property in the current financial year
  • Own a property valued at less than $3 million
  • Not have previously received a solar panel or battery rebate at the address under the Solar Homes Program
  • Not have had solar panels installed at the property in the last ten years
  • Get a signed Solar Homes Program Agreement between you and your renters

Solar For Community Housing

Receive a solar panel rebate of up to $1,400 on newly installed systems. 

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the solar panel rebate for community housing, you must: 

  • Be a non-profit organisation that provides affordable housing and rentals
  • Demonstrate that you will pass on 100% of the value of solar energy savings to renters
  • Show community housing organisations own or manage the target properties
  • Only use approved authorised dealers and products

Solar For Apartments

Get funding of up to $2,800 toward the cost of installing solar PV on apartment buildings. 

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a solar panels Victoria rebate, you must: 

  • Own a building no more than 8 storeys tall
  • Have completed development at the time of your application
  • Be a Class 2 domestic building according to the National Construction Code
  • Not have installed solar panels on the building in the last ten years
  • Have an address in the State of Victoria
  • Not be a non-permitted building, such as a retirement home, commercial building, community housing organisation or local council facility
  • Ensure the target building is not connected to an embedded electricity supply network