Solar Homes Program

The Solar Homes Program

Since its launch in 2018, more than 350,000 Victorians have already made the most of the incentives under the Solar Homes Program, and why not? If it's there and you qualify, it's basically free money.

This guide breaks down the incentives offered under the Solar Homes Program in 2025, from eligibility requirements to the application process and beyond.

Program Overview

The program has chopped and changed over the years, it initially focused on rooftop Solar (PV) system rebates but has grown to offer incentives for hot water system upgrades as well as Solar battery installations.

We want to provide full clarity on all of these rebates, and they each have slightly different requirements. So here we're gonna give a quick rundown of what each incentive is and you can click the link for each to get the more detailed info.

Here's an outline of each rebate available right now under the Solar Homes Program:

  • Solar Panel (PV) Rebate (Click here to learn more) - A 50% discount off the total cost of a Solar installation OR $1,400, whichever is lower. You also have the option of an interest-free loan of the same value as the rebate.

  • Solar Rebate for Rental Properties (Click here to learn more) - This rebate is the same as the solar panel rebate but for rental properties specifically.

  • Solar for Community Housing (Click here to learn more) - The same as the Solar Panel (PV) Rebate but for eligible not-for-profit community housing organisations.

  • Hot Water Rebate (Click here to learn more) - This rebate is a 50% discount off the total cost of a Heat Pump or Solar Hot Water System installation OR $1,000, whichever is lower.

  • Solar Battery Loans (Click here to learn more) - This incentive is an interest-free loan of up to $8,800 to reduce the cost of installing a Solar Battery.

KEEP IN MIND: To receive any rebate under the Solar Homes Program, you have to submit an application and the application has to be approved before your system is installed.

The only exception to this rule is the Hot Water rebate, more info the in Hot Water Rebate Page.

But when will this rebate end?

When the rebate was launched in 2018, it began as a $1.3billion investment over 10 years to supports Victorians to participate in the renewable energy transition. It has been almost 7 years since and the program is still going strong, however the rebate amount has gone down multiple times since it's first release.

To give you an idea, the Solar Panel rebate started as $2,225 and now it is $1,400. Still a decent discount, but definitely lower than it was once. And if one thing is certain, if the rebate amount does change again before it's inevitable end, it is only going lower. So if you are looking to get a solar system, a solar battery or a new hot water system installed, make the most of the rebates now!