Solar rebates
Solar rebates in Australia explained without the hype
A plain-English explanation of Australian solar rebates, STCs, battery incentives, state programs and how to check real eligibility.
Short answer
Most solar discounts are not a cheque from government. They are usually an upfront reduction created by certificates, loans or state program rules. The real question is what applies to the property, equipment and installer today.
Start a quoteStart with the federal STC discount
For rooftop solar, the main national support is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. Most customers experience it as an upfront discount because the right to create certificates is assigned through the quote process.
The value depends on system size, location, certificate settings and market prices. It is not the same as a fixed rebate paid into your bank account.
Battery incentives are separate
Eligible batteries can also receive support under the expanded certificate framework. Battery eligibility has its own product, capacity, solar connection and accreditation rules.
A solar panel discount and a battery discount should be shown clearly enough that the customer can see what each part is doing.
State programs change often
State and territory programs can include rebates, loans, VPP incentives, rental solar support or energy upgrade assistance. They open, close and change rules over time.
That is why a quote should be checked against the current program page for the property location, not a national sales flyer.
Watch the word rebate
Sales material can use rebate to describe STCs, state loans, temporary retailer discounts and genuine government programs. Those are not the same thing.
Ask what program is being used, who administers it, what rule makes the system eligible and what happens if the claim is rejected.
Use rebates to improve the design, not hide the design
A rebate can make a better system affordable, but it should not be used to distract from poor sizing, weak equipment or an unrealistic bill-savings model.
The right system still needs to fit the roof, tariff, usage pattern, future loads and budget.
Sources
Primary references used for this guide.
Rebate settings and certificate values change. Use these sources for live program rules before accepting a quote.
FAQ
Are solar rebates the same in every state?
No. Federal STCs apply nationally when the system is eligible, but state and territory programs vary by location and timing.
Do I apply for STCs myself?
Most customers assign the right to create STCs to the retailer or registered agent and receive an upfront discount on the quote.
Can rebate claims be rejected?
Yes. Eligibility depends on products, accreditation, installation timing, documentation and program rules.
Related guides
Keep reading.
Solar rebates
Solar rebate stacking: federal and state incentives explained
Solar rebate stacking means combining federal support, such as solar STCs or the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with a state or territory incentive. It can work, but every layer has its own rules, so the quote must itemise each incentive and confirm that one program does not block another.
Solar economics
Is solar worth it in Australia in 2026?
For most Australian homes, yes. A well-designed solar system typically pays for itself in three to six years, and every year after that is money saved. But whether solar is worth it depends less on system size than on how much of its power you use yourself.
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Solar feed-in tariffs in 2026: why self-consumption matters
A solar feed-in tariff is the rate your retailer pays for excess solar sent to the grid. In 2026, the useful money is usually not in exporting more; it is in using more solar inside the home because exported solar is often worth much less than electricity bought back later.