Solar Panel Rebate Australia 2026: Federal STCs and State Incentives

The “solar rebate” Australians talk about is technically Small-scale Technology Certificates — STCs. They are worth $1,800 to $4,700 depending on system size, and they are applied as a discount on every solar installation in Australia. Here is exactly how the whole thing works in 2026, what you can expect by state, and why acting sooner rather than later captures more of the benefit.

The Federal Solar Rebate — STCs Explained

STCs are not a rebate in the traditional sense — you do not apply for money after installation. Instead, they are tradeable certificates that your accredited installer creates on your behalf at the point of installation, assigns to a registered agent, and converts into a discount on your quote. The mechanism is invisible to you as the buyer; you simply receive a lower price.

What an STC represents

Each STC represents one megawatt-hour of clean electricity your solar system will generate over its deeming period. The number of STCs your system generates depends on:

• System size (kW of installed capacity)
• Your climate zone — determined by postcode, with warmer zones generating more certificates due to higher solar resource
• The deeming period — the number of full years remaining between your installation date and 31 December 2030

Current STC value

The STC spot price fluctuates based on supply and demand in the certificate market. As of early 2026, the price is approximately $38 per certificate. Certificate prices are published by the Clean Energy Regulator and change throughout the year.

The key point: your installer handles everything

When you accept a quote from a CEC-accredited installer that includes STCs, the paperwork is entirely their responsibility. You pay the reduced price and the installer processes the certificates. No separate application, no waiting for a payment, no follow-up required.

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How Much Is the Solar Rebate Worth?

The table below shows approximate STC counts and rebate values for common residential system sizes in Zone 3 — which covers most of metropolitan Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth.

System Size	Approx STCs (Zone 3)	Approx Rebate Value (~$38/STC)
5 kW	~48	~$1,800
6.6 kW	~63	~$2,400
8 kW	~76	~$2,900
10 kW	~96	~$3,600
13 kW	~124	~$4,700

Zone notes

• Zone 4 (Queensland and northern Australia): generates slightly more STCs than Zone 3 for the same system size, due to higher solar irradiance
• Zone 2 (southern Victoria, Tasmania): generates slightly fewer STCs
• Zone 1 (far northern Australia): the highest STC count

For most buyers, the Zone 3 figures are the right planning estimate. Your installer will calculate the exact number based on your postcode at the time of quoting.

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STCs Are Declining: Act Now Saves More

This is the aspect of the STC scheme that many buyers overlook until they receive quotes in different years and wonder why the numbers changed.

The STC deeming period reduces by one year on 1 January each year. In 2026, the deeming period runs to the end of 2030 — approximately five full years. On 1 January 2027, that becomes four years. The scheme phases out entirely at the end of 2030.

What this means in practice

Each calendar year of delay reduces the number of STCs your system generates, which directly reduces the rebate value applied to your quote.

• 2026: approximately 5 deeming years remaining — full rebate at current levels
• 2027: approximately 4 deeming years remaining — rebate reduced by roughly 20%
• 2028: approximately 3 deeming years remaining — rebate roughly 40% lower than 2026
• 2029: approximately 2 deeming years remaining — minimal rebate
• 2030: final year — rebate close to zero

For a 6.6kW system, the difference between installing in 2026 versus 2028 is approximately $800–$1,000 in rebate value. The system itself, the panels, and the labour cost roughly the same amount — the only difference is how much the government scheme contributes.

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State-by-State Solar Incentives

Victoria — Solar Homes Program (Limited Components Remaining)

The Victorian Solar Homes Program has been one of Australia’s most significant state solar incentive schemes since its launch. As of March 2026, the main general household rebate ($1,400 for standard residential solar) is no longer available for new applicants.

However, the Solar Homes program retains components targeting specific cohorts, including low-income households, rental properties, and solar hot water. Interest-free loans are also available for eligible applicants. If you are in Victoria, it is worth checking the current status at solarvictoria.vic.gov.au before purchasing — program components and eligibility criteria have changed over time and specific tranches sometimes open without significant advance notice.

The federal STC rebate remains fully available to all Victorian households regardless of Solar Homes eligibility.

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Australian Capital Territory — Sustainable Household Scheme (Interest-Free Loans up to $15,000)

The ACT operates the most generous state-level solar incentive currently active in Australia. The Sustainable Household Scheme provides interest-free loans of up to $15,000 for eligible upgrades including solar PV, battery storage, EV chargers, and other electrification measures. Solar alone qualifies — you do not need to bundle it with other upgrades to access the loan.

The loan is repaid through your electricity bill over up to 10 years. At 0% interest, you pay back exactly what was lent — no interest cost at all. For a typical 6.6kW system installed for $7,000–$9,000, the STC rebate (~$2,400) reduces the net cost to $4,600–$6,600, with the Sustainable Household Scheme able to cover that remainder entirely at no financing cost.

To apply: contact actewAGL or ask your installer for current details on the application process.

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New South Wales — Federal STCs Only

NSW does not currently operate a state solar purchase rebate program. Previous NSW programs, including various solar bonus schemes, have closed. NSW households rely on federal STCs for the primary purchase incentive.

The federal STC rebate of $1,800–$3,600 (for 5–10kW systems) is available to all NSW residents through any CEC-accredited installer.

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Queensland — Federal STCs Only

Queensland does not operate a state solar purchase rebate for residential customers in 2026. Federal STCs apply. Queensland households benefit from some of Australia’s strongest feed-in tariff rates (8–12 c/kWh), which partially offsets the absence of a state purchase incentive over the life of the system.

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South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania — Federal STCs Only

SA, WA, and TAS do not currently operate state solar panel purchase rebate programs for general residential customers. All three states have access to the federal STC scheme through any CEC-accredited installer.

WA residents on Synergy or Horizon Power should check directly with their retailer for any current targeted programs. SA electricity prices (34–43 c/kWh, among Australia’s highest) mean the financial case for solar is particularly strong even without a state rebate.

For a full overview of all state and federal solar incentives: solar rebates

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Feed-In Tariffs: The Other Solar Incentive

The upfront cost reduction from STCs is the most talked-about solar incentive, but feed-in tariffs (FiTs) affect the long-term economics of your system for its entire operating life.

A feed-in tariff is the rate your energy retailer pays for excess solar electricity you export to the grid. The rate varies by state, retailer, and sometimes by the time of day.

State	Typical FiT Rate (2025-26)
QLD	8–12 c/kWh
NSW	4–8 c/kWh
VIC	3.3–6.7 c/kWh (minimum guaranteed rate)
SA	5–8 c/kWh
WA	2.25–8 c/kWh (Synergy)
ACT	~6 c/kWh
TAS	Varies by retailer

The self-consumption gap

Feed-in tariffs across Australia have fallen significantly over the past five years, and further declines are likely as more solar is added to the grid. In most states, export rates of 5–8 c/kWh are now common. Grid electricity import rates, by contrast, sit at 28–43 c/kWh depending on state and tariff.

The implication is straightforward: solar electricity you use yourself is worth 28–43 c/kWh in avoided grid costs. Solar electricity you export earns 5–8 c/kWh. The gap is substantial — roughly four to six times more valuable to self-consume than to export.

Maximising self-consumption

The most effective strategies for keeping more solar within the home:

• EV charging: schedule charging during solar production hours (9am–3pm). A typical EV consumes 15–20 kWh per charge — several times more than a household’s daytime consumption. For details, see how to use solar to charge your EV.
• Heat pump hot water: set to heat during peak solar hours. A 270–280L heat pump uses approximately 1–1.5 kWh per heating cycle.
• Dishwasher and washing machine: schedule to run midday rather than evening.
• Home battery: stores excess solar for use in the evening, eliminating most grid imports.

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How to Claim Your Solar Rebate

Step 1: Choose a CEC-accredited installer

CEC (Clean Energy Council) accreditation is the baseline standard for solar installers in Australia. Only CEC-accredited installers can create STCs on your behalf. Checking accreditation at the CEC website before accepting quotes is a straightforward verification step.

Step 2: Confirm panels and inverter are on the CEC approved products list

Not all solar products qualify for STCs. Panels and inverters must appear on the Clean Energy Council’s approved products list. Reputable installers use approved products as standard — but it is worth confirming explicitly if you have a specific product preference.

Step 3: Ensure STCs are included in the quoted price

A compliant quote should show the STC value as a discount applied to the system price. Ask for this to be itemised if it is not immediately clear. Quotes that do not mention STCs may not be applying the rebate — or may be applying it without disclosure.

Step 4: For ACT Sustainable Household Scheme — apply separately

The ACT interest-free loan requires a separate application through actewAGL or your installer. This is not automatically applied at installation. Apply before committing to an installer if possible, as processing times vary.

Step 5: For Victoria — check current Solar Homes eligibility

If you may qualify for a Solar Homes component (low income, renter, or specific eligible category), check eligibility at the Solar Victoria website before installing. Installing before confirming eligibility means you cannot access the Solar Homes benefit retrospectively.

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Adding a Battery: The Next Step

Solar and battery storage are increasingly installed together in Australia, and the financial case has improved substantially with the introduction of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP) in July 2025.

The CHBP provides approximately $372 per usable kWh off the installed cost of a home battery — typically $3,700–$5,000 on a standard 10–13kWh system. This applies on top of the solar STC rebate, which covers the panel and inverter component of the installation.

A combined solar + battery installation in 2026 can attract:

• Solar STCs: $2,400 on a 6.6kW system (Zone 3)
• Battery CHBP: ~$5,000 on a 13.5kWh battery
• Combined rebates: ~$7,400 off the installed cost of the system

For full details on battery rebates and how to stack them with solar: solar battery rebate guide. For the top-rated home batteries: best home battery Australia 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the solar rebate in Australia in 2026?

The main solar rebate is Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) — a federal program that reduces your upfront cost by approximately $1,800 on a 5kW system or $2,400 on a 6.6kW system. STCs are applied as a point-of-sale discount by your installer. The ACT also offers interest-free loans up to $15,000 through the Sustainable Household Scheme. Victoria’s Solar Homes program has limited components remaining for eligible households.

How much are STCs worth for a 6.6kW solar system?

In most Australian climate zones (Zone 3), a 6.6kW solar system generates approximately 63 STCs, worth around $2,400 at current STC prices of approximately $38 each. This value changes slightly with the STC spot price and is applied as a direct discount on your installation quote. Your installer handles the paperwork — you do not need to apply separately.

Are solar panel STCs being phased out?

Yes. The STC scheme reduces by one deeming year on 1 January each year and will phase out completely by 2031. Each year you wait, the rebate is worth slightly less. In 2026, a 6.6kW system in Zone 3 generates approximately 63 STCs. By 2030, the deeming period will be near zero. Installing sooner captures more of the rebate.

What is the feed-in tariff for solar in Australia?

Feed-in tariffs vary by state and retailer. Queensland is typically highest at 8–12 c/kWh. Most other states pay 4–8 c/kWh. Some retailers pay 0 c/kWh once you exceed a certain threshold. The declining FiT means self-consumption of solar is now the main driver of savings — using your solar during the day rather than exporting saves 28–40 c/kWh versus 4–12 c/kWh earned from export.

Is there a solar rebate specifically for low-income households in Australia?

Victoria’s Solar Homes Program has components targeting low-income and rental households. The ACT Sustainable Household Scheme provides interest-free loans regardless of income. Federally, the Community Solar Banks program will help renters and those who cannot install panels access solar benefits. Check with your state energy authority for current eligibility.

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See our best solar panels ranking to find the highest-value panel for your roof and budget. For a full cost breakdown by system size, see our solar panel cost guide. For battery rebates that stack with your solar, see our solar battery rebate guide. If you are also considering a heat pump or EV charger, check our heat pump rebate guide.