Victoria solar rebates in 2025 make installing solar panels and batteries more affordable, helping residents cut electricity bills and promote a greener future. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about Victoria’s solar rebates, eligibility requirements, application processes, and how much you can save with these incentives.
For a complete overview of all solar rebates and incentives available in Australia, visit our comprehensive guide on Solar Rebates.
List of Solar Rebates & Incentives in Victoria 2025
Program | Type | Details | Maximum Amount |
Victoria Solar Panel Rebate | Solar Panel Rebate | Upfront discount on solar PV system installation costs. | Up to $1,400 |
Victoria Interest-Free Loan Scheme | Loan | Interest-free loan matching the solar panel rebate amount to reduce upfront costs. | Up to $1,400 |
Solar for Apartments Grant | Shared Solar PV | Provides grants for shared solar systems in apartment buildings. Apartment buildings; application [CLOSED] February 28th 2025 | Up to $2,800 per apartment; capped at $140,000 per building |
Solar Battery Loan | Loan | Interest-free loan for eligible battery storage systems to encourage energy independence and grid support. | Up to $8,800 in interest free loan |
Federal Solar Incentive (SRES) | Upfront Savings | Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) that reduce installation costs by approximately 30%. | Approx. $2,500* |
Victoria Feed-in Tariffs | Feed-in Tariff Credit | Provides credits for excess solar energy fed back to the grid. Updated minimum rate: 0.04 cents per kWh (2025-26). | Varies by provider |
Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Program | Income & Savings | Allows battery owners to share stored energy, earning compensation and supporting grid resilience. | Varies by VPP |
Solar Rebates for Rental Properties | Rebate | Upfront discount for solar PV installation on rental properties. Landlords can apply for up to two rental properties per financial year. | Up to $1,400 per rental property |
Hot Water Rebate | Rebate | Upfront Discount on heat pump or solar hot water system | Up to $1,000 |
Note: * Savings for the federal SRES program depend on system size and location; the above is an approximate amount for a 6.6 kW system.
This table provides a quick overview of Victoria’s available solar programs, helping users understand the rebate, loan, and additional savings options at a glance.
Victoria Solar Rebates & Incentives Overview
Victoria Solar Panel Rebate
Rebate Amount: Up to $1,400 for solar PV systems in 2025. Interest-Free Loan Option: Eligible applicants can apply for a matching interest-free loan up to $1,400.
- Eligibility (as of March 12, 2025):
- Home or property must be valued under $3 million.
- Combined household taxable income must be under $210,000 per year.
- The property must not have received a solar panel (PV) rebate in the last 10 years.
- Rental properties are now eligible, but limited to two rental properties per financial year.
New Requirement: The property owner must use an authorised solar retailer and eligible products listed on the Solar Victoria website.
Victoria Apartment Solar Panel Rebate
Updated Deadline: The application deadline for the Solar for Apartments Grant was 5 PM on February 28, 2025.
Rebate Amount: Up to $2,800 per apartment, capped at $140,000 per building.
Eligibility (2025 Update):
- Only open to Owners Corporations classified as ‘tier three’ or ‘tier four’ under the Owners Corporations Act 2006 (Vic).
- Applies to apartment buildings up to 8 storeys or attached townhouses with shared rooftop areas.
- Provides up to $500 in estimated annual energy bill savings per household.
Solar Battery Loan
- Rebate Amount: Up to $8,800 in interest free loan for battery storage.
- Eligibility:
- The property must already have a solar PV system with a minimum 5kW inverter capacity.
- The battery must have at least 6kWh capacity and be VPP (Virtual Power Plant)-ready.
- The property must not have received a solar battery rebate previously.
- A credit check is now required as part of the loan approval process.
Loan Repayment Terms (2025 Update):
- Interest-free loan repayments are $183.34 per month over 4 years.
- Repayments begin 30 days after installation approval.
Federal Solar Incentive – Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
- Upfront Savings: The SRES program provides upfront cost savings through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which can reduce solar installation costs by around 30%.
- Example Savings: A typical 6.6 kW system can save Victorians about $2,500 in upfront costs.
Victoria Feed-in Tariffs
Updated 2025 Feed-in Tariff Rates (as of March 2025):
- The minimum feed-in tariff set by the Essential Services Commission will drop from 3.3 cents to 0.04 cents per kWh for the 2025-26 financial year.
- This change significantly reduces financial returns from exporting excess solar energy to the grid.
- Actionable Tip: Households should compare energy providers for the best feed-in tariff rates.
- Rate: Rates vary by electricity provider however there are mandatory minimums set by the Victorian government
- How It Works: Any excess energy produced by your solar system is exported to the grid, and you earn credits on your electricity bill. Be sure to compare providers to find the best feed-in tariff rate available.
Solar Rebates for Rental Properties
- Rebate Amount: Up to $1,400 per rental property (limited to two properties per financial year).
- Interest-Free Loan Option: Up to $1,400.
- Eligibility: Rental properties must meet standard solar panel rebate criteria. A rental agreement must be signed between the landlord and tenants.
Hot Water Rebate
- Rebate Amount: Up to $1,000 for eligible heat pump or solar hot water systems.
- Eligibility: Available to homeowners replacing systems that are at least 3 years old.
- Potential Savings: Households can save around $250 per year on energy costs by upgrading to an efficient hot water system
How Much Can You Save with Victoria Solar Rebates?
Solar Panel Savings
For a 6.6 kW solar system in Victoria:
- Average Cost After Federal Rebate: $6,030
- Annual Savings on Electricity Bills: Up to $1,200
- Payback Period: Approximately 3-5 years
Battery Storage Savings
Battery systems in Victoria can reduce reliance on the grid and offer energy independence:
- Rebate: Up to $3,500, making batteries more accessible.
- Average Payback Period: 7-10 years, depending on energy usage patterns.
- Important Consideration: Due to the 2025 feed-in tariff reduction, battery storage benefits may depend more on self-consumption rather than exporting energy to the grid.
Additional Solar Programs in Victoria
Virtual Power Plant (VPP) and Aggregation Programs
VPPs allow battery owners to share stored energy with the grid, enhancing reliability and grid stability. Benefits include:
- Compensation: Earn income by participating in energy-sharing programs.
- Increased Energy Resilience: Helps support the grid during high-demand periods.
- Cost Savings: Reduces network costs, benefiting all Victorians.
Conclusion: Maximising Your Victoria Solar Rebates
Victoria solar rebates offer valuable support to make solar energy affordable and accessible. By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to maximise savings, reduce energy bills, and contribute to a sustainable future. Explore the Solar Victoria Portal for more details and start your journey toward solar savings today.
FAQs on Victoria Solar Rebates
What is the current solar rebate in Victoria?
What are the Victorian solar rebates available in 2025?
What is the Solar Victoria loan, and how does it work?
What is the $2,800 rebate in Victoria?
Can renters access Victoria’s solar rebate program?
What is the Solar for Apartments Grant?
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