State solar panel incentives

    Here’s the truth most comparison pages get wrong: for rooftop panels, the federal STC discount is the main upfront incentive in every state, and only Victoria still runs a broad state panel rebate. We mark each state honestly rather than implying a rebate that isn’t there.

    Source data last verified 21 June 2026.

    First, the national baseline: the federal STC discount

    The federal STC scheme (SRES) applies nationally to eligible rooftop solar panel systems as an upfront point-of-sale discount, stepping down each 1 January until the scheme ends on 31 December 2030. It is covered in detail on /solar/rebates and is NOT a state program — referenced here only so each state entry can be read in context.

    Estimate your federal STC rebate →

    Victoria

    State rebate active

    Solar Homes Program — Solar panel (PV) rebate

    Up to $1,400 rebate, plus an optional matching interest-free loan (up to $1,400)

    Eligibility: Owner-occupier (or owner of a home under construction / rental property — landlords apply for rentals). Combined household taxable income under $210,000/yr (CHANGING to $150,000/yr from 1 July 2026). Property value under $3m. Address not previously rebated under the program and no PV installed in the last 10 years. System by an approved retailer; do not install before approval.

    Heads up: Income threshold drops from $210,000 to $150,000 on 1 July 2026. Households in the $150k–$210k band must submit a full application by 5pm 30 June 2026 to qualify under the current threshold. Stackable with the federal STC discount.

    Solar Victoria — Solar panel (PV) rebate

    Victoria is the only state still running a broad solar PANEL rebate in 2026. Also offers a hot-water rebate (up to $1,000, or $1,400 for Australian-made) under the same program. Battery support is federal-only (the VIC Solar Homes battery rebate has closed — see battery file).

    New South Wales

    Federal STC only

    No state solar panel rebate (federal STC only)

    NSW has NO state-specific rebate for standard rooftop solar panels on detached homes in 2026 — the upfront discount is the federal STC scheme. Most 'NSW solar rebate' references point to battery/VPP incentives (see battery file).

    Estimate the federal STC rebate →

    Solar Choice / NSW Government (no detached-home panel rebate)

    NSW Solar for Apartments grant

    State rebate active

    Grants covering up to ~50% of solar installation costs for eligible apartment buildings / strata; plus subsidies for shares in offsite solar gardens

    Targeted at strata buildings and apartment residents (not detached homes). Distinct from the federal STC scheme.

    NSW Government — Solar for Apartments

    Empowering Homes / Home Energy Saver loans

    Being verified

    Interest-free loans (commonly cited up to ~$14,000 for solar-battery systems; Home Energy Saver loan up to ~$15,000 for energy upgrades, income-tested) (figures being verified)

    Loan support rather than a rebate; eligibility and amounts vary by program and income. Verify current program status and figures before publishing.

    NSW Government energy programs

    Queensland

    Federal STC only

    No state solar panel rebate (federal STC only)

    QLD has no active state rebate for rooftop solar panels in 2026 — federal STC scheme only. QLD's STC zone (Zone 2, Zone 1 in far north) makes the federal per-kW value higher than in southern states. State battery program (Battery Booster) has closed — see battery file.

    Estimate the federal STC rebate →

    Solar Choice / Queensland Government

    South Australia

    Federal STC only

    No state solar panel rebate (federal STC only)

    SA has no state rebate for rooftop solar panels in 2026 — federal STC scheme only. State action is on batteries/VPP via REPS (see battery file). Note SA Power Networks' daytime solar export charge (see feed-in-tariffs file).

    Estimate the federal STC rebate →

    SA Government / Solar Choice

    Western Australia

    Federal STC only

    No state solar panel rebate (federal STC only)

    WA has no state rebate for rooftop solar PANELS — federal STC scheme only for panels. WA's notable state support is the Residential Battery Scheme (see battery file) and the DEBS feed-in scheme (see feed-in-tariffs file).

    Estimate the federal STC rebate →

    WA Government / Solar Choice

    Tasmania

    Federal STC only

    No state solar panel rebate (federal STC + Energy Saver Loan)

    TAS has no direct state rebate for rooftop solar panels — federal STC scheme only for the upfront discount. Interest-free Energy Saver Loans (up to ~$10,000) can cover solar/battery (see battery file).

    Estimate the federal STC rebate →

    Tasmanian Government

    Australian Capital Territory

    Federal STC only

    No broad state solar panel rebate (federal STC + Sustainable Household Scheme loan)

    ACT has no broad state rebate for rooftop solar panels in 2026 — federal STC scheme for the upfront discount. The Sustainable Household Scheme offers low-interest (~3%) loans for energy upgrades, though solar panels are now excluded for most applicants (battery and other upgrades still covered — see battery file). Zero-interest available to eligible concession-card holders via the Home Energy Support Program.

    Estimate the federal STC rebate →

    ACT Government — Sustainable Household Scheme

    Northern Territory

    Federal STC only

    No state solar panel rebate (federal STC only)

    NT has no active state rebate for rooftop solar panels in 2026 — federal STC scheme only. The NT Home and Business Battery Scheme has closed (see battery file).

    Estimate the federal STC rebate →

    NT Government

    For rooftop solar panels, the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (STC discount) is the main upfront incentive in every state — see our STC rebate page. State panel-specific rebates are now rare; most current state action is on batteries and VPPs (see our battery rebates page). Figures below are indicative and change frequently; confirm with the official source and a CEC-accredited installer.

    Common questions

    Which states have a solar panel rebate in 2026?
    For rooftop panels on detached homes, only Victoria still runs a broad state rebate (the Solar Homes panel rebate, up to $1,400 plus a matching interest-free loan). In every other state the main upfront incentive is the federal STC scheme — there is no separate state panel rebate. Saying that plainly is more accurate than implying one exists.
    Aren’t there “solar rebates” advertised in my state?
    Usually those refer to something else: a battery or virtual-power-plant incentive (covered on our battery rebates page), an interest-free loan rather than a rebate, an apartment/strata grant, or a scheme that has since closed. For standard rooftop panels, the federal STC discount is the lever in most states.
    What’s changing with the Victorian rebate on 1 July 2026?
    The Solar Homes panel rebate income threshold drops from $210,000 to $150,000 of combined household taxable income on 1 July 2026. Households in the $150k–$210k band need a full application in by 5pm on 30 June 2026 to qualify under the current threshold. Always confirm details with Solar Victoria before relying on them.
    Does the federal STC rebate apply everywhere?
    Yes. The federal STC discount applies Australia-wide based on your postcode’s solar zone and the deeming period, and steps down each 1 January until the scheme ends on 31 December 2030. You can estimate it on our solar rebate calculator. Any state incentive, where one exists, stacks on top.

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    James Baker

    Reviewed by James Baker, Founder, EnergyPlans.com.au. Data last verified 21 June 2026. Methodology.