1300 451 322Get your tidy quote
Solar Homes Program

Solar Homes Program 2026, explained plainly.

Solar Homes is the Victorian government's residential solar rebate program. Eligible homes get up to $1,400 off a solar install, plus an optional $1,400 interest-free loan to cover the balance. It stacks with federal STC discounts. Verified against solar.vic.gov.au on 20 July 2026.

Check my Solar Homes eligibility
Illustration of a Victorian homeowner and Tidy Energy specialist reviewing Solar Homes Program rebate paperwork at the kitchen table with a solar-panelled weatherboard home visible through the window
What you get

Two amounts. Same program.

Solar panel rebate

Up to $1,400

Direct discount on your solar install. Paid to your Authorised Retailer, applied to your invoice.

Interest-free loan

Up to $1,400

Matches the rebate. Four-year repayment via direct debit. No collateral. Optional but often taken.

The rebate and loan together can effectively cover $2,800 of upfront system cost. Stacked with the federal STC discount (~$1,400 on a 6.6 kW system), that's around $4,200 in combined incentives on a typical Vic household install.

Who's eligible

The 2026 rules, per solar.vic.gov.au.

Solar Victoria updated the income cap on 1 July 2026 from $210,000 to $150,000. Applications submitted after 30 June 2026 are assessed against the new cap.

  • Combined household taxable income under $150,000 per year
  • Property value under $3 million
  • Owner-occupier of an existing home, or owner of a home under construction
  • Address hasn't previously received a Solar Homes rebate
  • No solar system installed at the address in the last 10 years
  • Install done by a Solar Victoria Authorised Retailer using approved products

Full detail: solar.vic.gov.au/solar-panel-rebate.

How the money flows

You don't chase the rebate. The retailer does.

  1. Apply through a Solar Victoria Authorised Retailer (Tidy's install partner is authorised).
  2. Retailer submits your application to Solar Victoria with your income documents and property details.
  3. Solar Victoria approves eligibility. You get an approval reference number.
  4. Install goes ahead. Rebate is deducted from your invoice as a discount before you pay anything.
  5. If you opted for the loan, repayments start 30 days after install approval, direct-debited monthly.
Common questions

Solar Homes Program FAQ.

What is the Solar Homes Program?

Solar Homes is the Victorian government's residential solar and battery incentive program, delivered by Solar Victoria. It gives eligible owner-occupiers a rebate towards installing a solar PV system, plus an optional interest-free loan of the same amount. The program has run since 2018 and is one of Australia's longest-running state solar rebates.

How much is the Solar Homes rebate in 2026?

Up to $1,400 for eligible Victorian homes as of July 2026, sourced from solar.vic.gov.au. The rebate is paid directly to your Solar Victoria Authorised Retailer and applied as a discount on your solar install invoice.

Who is eligible for the Solar Homes rebate in 2026?

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 owner of a home under construction. Address hasn't previously received a Solar Homes rebate. No solar installed at the property in the last 10 years.

How do I apply for the Solar Homes Program?

Apply through a Solar Victoria Authorised Retailer. You provide your income documents, property details and consent. The retailer processes the application, applies the rebate as a discount on your invoice, and files the paperwork with Solar Victoria on your behalf.

Can I get Solar Homes plus federal STCs at the same time?

Yes. Solar Homes (state rebate) and Small-scale Technology Certificates (federal, ~$1,400 for a 6.6 kW system in Victoria) stack together. That's approximately $2,800 in combined discounts, plus the optional $1,400 interest-free loan, on an eligible install.

Does the Solar Homes Program still cover batteries in 2026?

No. Solar Victoria has closed the interest-free battery loan to new applications. The Solar Homes battery rebate ended earlier. The current federal pathway for battery incentives is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which opened on 1 July 2025.

Is Solar Homes available to renters?

Yes, under a separate rental properties stream. The property owner applies and the tenant contributes an agreed share of the cost. Different eligibility rules apply. Full detail on solar.vic.gov.au/solar-rebates-rental-properties.

Related pages

Go deeper.

Ready to see your number?

60 seconds to check what you qualify for.

Your postcode and a couple of quick questions. No call unless you ask.

Get my tidy quote
Book your free tidy walkthrough