The Solar Homes interest-free loan, plainly.
Up to $1,400 over four years, no interest, no collateral. It matches your Solar Homes rebate. Combined, they effectively cover $2,800 of your upfront solar install cost, with $1,400 repaid over four years at roughly $29 per month.
$1,400 loan, $29/month, 48 months.
A $1,400 interest-free loan repaid over four years works out to $1,400 ÷ 48 = approximately $29.17 per month. No interest applied. No hidden fees. Repayments direct-debited from your bank account starting 30 days after your solar install is approved.
Combined effect
With the $1,400 Solar Homes rebate plus the $1,400 interest-free loan, you effectively cover $2,800 of your upfront system cost. Only the loan portion ($1,400) is repaid, over four years, interest-free. A typical $6,000 install becomes $3,200 out-of-pocket plus $29/month for four years.
Same rules as the rebate.
The loan and the rebate share eligibility criteria. To qualify for the loan, you also qualify for the rebate.
- Combined household taxable income under $150,000 per year (dropped from $210,000 on 1 July 2026)
- Property value under $3 million
- Owner-occupier of an existing home or a home under construction
- Address hasn't previously received a Solar Homes rebate
- No solar installed at the address in the last 10 years
- Solar Victoria credit check (part of loan approval)
Full detail: solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate.
Applying is one step, not two.
- Choose a Solar Victoria Authorised Retailer (Tidy's install partner is authorised).
- Fill out the Solar Homes rebate application through them. Opt in for the interest-free loan on the same form.
- Retailer submits both applications. Solar Victoria approves the rebate + loan together.
- Install goes ahead. Rebate ($1,400) and loan ($1,400) are both applied to your invoice as reductions before you pay.
- Loan repayments start 30 days after install approval, direct-debited monthly for 48 months.
Common questions about the Solar Homes loan.
What is the Solar Homes interest-free loan?
It's an interest-free loan from Solar Victoria that matches your Solar Homes rebate. Up to $1,400, repaid over four years via monthly direct debit. It's designed to cover the balance of your solar install after the rebate is applied.
How much is the Solar Homes interest-free loan in 2026?
Up to $1,400, matching the solar panel rebate. Verified against solar.vic.gov.au on 20 July 2026. The loan and the rebate together effectively cover $2,800 of upfront install cost, with $1,400 repaid over four years.
How do I apply for the Solar Homes interest-free loan?
You opt in when you apply for the Solar Homes rebate through a Solar Victoria Authorised Retailer. Both the rebate and loan applications are processed together. If approved, the loan is paid directly to your retailer alongside the rebate.
What are the loan repayments?
Monthly direct debit from your bank account, starting 30 days after your install is approved. The loan is repaid over four years. On a $1,400 loan, that's roughly $29 per month for 48 months. No interest, no fees.
Is collateral required for the Solar Homes loan?
No collateral is required. The loan is unsecured and interest-free. Solar Victoria runs a credit check as part of the application process.
Can I get the loan without the rebate?
No. The loan is tied to the rebate. To be eligible for the loan, you must be eligible for the Solar Homes rebate. Both share the same eligibility criteria.
Is the Solar Homes interest-free loan still available for batteries?
No. Solar Victoria has closed the battery interest-free loan to new applications. The interest-free loan for solar panels remains available. The current federal pathway for battery incentives is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
Go deeper.
- Solar Homes Program, the parent program
- The $1,400 rebate, the matching rebate side
- All Vic solar rebates, the full 2026 picture
- Rebate calculator, see your stack live
- Tidy Solar, the actual solar bit
60 seconds to see if you qualify.
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