Victoria Solar, Battery & Heat Pump Rebates in 2026: What Homeowners Can Actually Claim

2026 is one of the most important years yet for Victorian homeowners considering an energy upgrade. Government support is available across solar PV, home battery storage and heat pump hot water — but the programs don’t all work the same way. Some are Victorian rebates, some are federal discounts and some are delivered through approved retailers or certificate-based schemes. Here’s what eligible homeowners may be able to claim.

1. Solar panel rebate — up to $1,400

Eligible Victorian households can currently access a solar panel rebate of up to $1,400 through the Solar Homes Program, with an interest-free loan of up to $1,400 also available to further reduce upfront cost.

• Owner-occupier of an existing home or a home under construction.
• Combined household taxable income below $210,000/year.
• Property value under $3 million.
• No previous Solar Homes solar panel or battery rebate on the property.
• No solar PV installed in the last 10 years.
• Purchased through an authorised retailer using eligible products.

2. Solar STC discount — extra federal incentive

Separate from the Victorian rebate, eligible rooftop solar systems also receive an upfront discount through the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (STCs). The certificates are typically assigned to the installer in exchange for an upfront price reduction. The exact value depends on system size, installation location, current certificate value and remaining years under the scheme.

3. Federal home battery discount — ~30% off

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program provides a government-backed discount of around 30% off eligible small-scale battery systems (5–100 kWh usable capacity) connected to new or existing rooftop solar. From 1 May 2026, the program structure tapers the incentive based on battery size, so larger batteries don’t receive the same relative benefit across their full capacity. The smart approach is to size the battery to your usage, not to the rebate headline.

4. Heat pump hot water rebate — up to $1,000 (or $1,400)

Eligible Victorian homeowners may receive up to $1,000 — or up to $1,400 for eligible locally made products — through the Solar Victoria hot water rebate. It’s calculated after other discounts and equals 50% of the product purchase price, capped at the relevant maximum.

• Owner-occupier with combined household income below $210,000.
• Property value under $3 million.
• No previous Solar Homes hot water or battery rebate.
• Existing hot water system at least 3 years old.
• Eligible product and authorised retailer.

5. Victorian Energy Upgrades heat pump discount

Alongside the Solar Homes hot water rebate, eligible customers may receive a Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) discount of up to $560 when replacing a gas hot water system with a heat pump. The Victorian Government estimates upgrading from gas to efficient electric hot water can save households around $400 per year.

Can homeowners claim more than one?

In many cases, yes — where each program’s rules allow it.

Which upgrade should you consider first?

Why 2026 is a strong year to act

• Solar rebates and interest-free loans remain available for eligible households.
• The federal battery program has materially improved storage affordability.
• Victoria is clearly moving toward all-electric homes — new builds from 1 January 2027, end-of-life gas hot water replacements from 1 March 2027.

Final takeaway

Eligible Victorian homeowners may be able to reduce the cost of solar, batteries and heat pumps through multiple stacking programs. The biggest opportunity isn’t just claiming a rebate — it’s choosing the right upgrade, in the right order, for the right home.