Solar Victoria Rebates: Solar Homes Program
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
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 rebate and have moved house can also apply. Additionally, if you currently have a solar PV system at your existing property which is over ten years’ old you can also apply to replace or upgrade your system - which is great news for those you who are on a premium feed in tariff which ends in November 2024.
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
How do I apply for the Solar Panel Rebate
To secure the Solar Victoria panel rebate, you'll embark on a step-by-step journey designed to verify your eligibility and guarantee the safe setup of your solar panel system. Here's how you can navigate through the process, from selecting an approved provider to finalising your application:
- Verify Eligibility: First, assess the solar panel rebate eligibility criteria listed above. If you have any questions, our Essential Solar customer service team is here to assist, or you can reach out to Solar Victoria directly for clarification.
- Select an Authorised Provider: Obviously, Essential Solar is an authorised provider, ensuring a hassle-free start to your solar journey.
- Receive a Quote: Connect with us for a home visit to tailor a quote to your family's specific needs, or opt for a phone consultation with one of our experts. We'll handle the submission of your quote to the solar rebate portal, paving the way for your application.
- Eligibility Application: With your quote in hand, proceed to apply for eligibility via the SV Portal. This involves submitting your personal and property details.
- Await Confirmation: Successful applications are acknowledged with a confirmation email, which may take up to two weeks. Installation can only commence once you've received this confirmation along with the provided QR code.
- Installation of Solar Panels: Upon confirming your eligibility, we'll move forward with installing your solar panel system. This will normally be completed 2 to 4 weeks after approval, and must be completed within four months from the approval date.
- Rebate Claim: Post-installation, we'll request the rebate on your behalf from Solar VIC. The rebate will be subtracted from your system's total cost, reducing the initial amount you pay.
- Post-Installation Audit: As part of ensuring adherence to program standards, Solar VIC may conduct an audit following installation. This initiative reassures customers of the thoroughness and compliance of their new solar system.
Victorian Solar Battery Rebate
Unfortunately, the $3,500 Solar Battery Rebate was removed in 2023 and is no longer available when installing a home battery. The good news is that the Solar Battery Loan amount has been increased - read more below.
Solar Battery Loans
Solar battery loans are interest-free, up to $8,800, reducing the cost of installing new battery systems.
With the removal of the Solar Battery Rebate, SV introduced a larger loan for solar batteries, which is great news for customers looking to reduce the up front costs, and with rising interest rates the fact it's interest free is even better. 4,500 interest free battery loans have been made available for 2023 - 2024. Currently just over half of these have been taken.
Application and eligibility processed are similar to the Victorian Solar PV Rebate - and requires Essential Solar uploading your quote to the SV Portal. The major difference is that Solar Victoria with carry out a credit check as part of the applications process.
For further information please refer to the Solar Battery Loan factsheet.
Solar Battery Loan 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 Solar PV system with at least a 5kW inverter 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