Why Solahart is your best choice for advice on the Victorian Solar Homes Package
For over 65 years, we have been setting the standard for solar systems in Australia. Our systems are designed for the harshest Australian conditions. Quality is ingrained in everything we do and our obsession with solar technologies is well documented.
Our solar power systems use Premium Solahart Panels and the world’s best quality inverters.
Meanwhile, our solar water heaters have established an unparalleled reputation for quality and efficiency. Our core range consists of roof-mounted systems and split systems, where the tanks are located on the ground.
About the Victorian Solar Homes Package
The Solar Homes Program is helping eligible Victorian households to take charge of their power bills, adopt renewable energy and provide a cleaner, better future for all Victorians.
The program makes it easier to get solar with rebates for solar panels (PV), solar hot water and solar batteries along with new incentives including interest-free loans for solar panels (PV). You can check out the Solar Victoria website here: www.solar.vic.gov.au
Rebates Available:
Solar Hot Water Rebate – $1,000
The Victorian Government is providing a rebate of up to $1,000 on solar hot water systems. For full details see the Solar for Homes Solar Hot Water Fact Sheet 23.03.22
Solar Power Rebate – $1,400
Eligible households can claim a discount on the cost of a solar panels system, up to a maximum rebate of $1,400. For full details see the Solar for Homes PV Fact Sheet 08.08.22 New homes under construction are also now eligible, for full details see the Solar for Homes New Builds Fact Sheet 08.08.22
Solar Power Loan – $1,400
Eligible households can apply for an interest-free loan of up to $1,400 to complement the solar panel rebate. This will further reduce the upfront cost of installing solar panels. For full details see the Solar for Homes PV Loans Fact Sheet 28.07.22
Battery Rebate – $2,950
Eligible households can claim a discount on the cost of installing a solar battery system, up to a maximum rebate of $2,950. For full details see the Solar for Homes Battery Fact Sheet 01.07.22
Rebates for Rental Properties – $1,400
Eligible rental properties can access a discount on the cost of solar panels (PV), up to a maximum rebate of $1,400, providing tenants with access to the benefits of renewable energy. For full details see the Solar Power for Rentals Fact Sheet – June 2021
Solar Homes Eligibility
Victorian households are eligible to receive a rebate under the Solar Homes Package if the applicant:
- Applicant must be the owner-occupier of the property where the system is being installed
- The combined household taxable income of all owners is less than $180,000 per annum (based on your Australian Tax Office Notice of Assessment)
- It is an existing property, valued at under $3 million
- The applicant has not already claimed a rebate as an owner-occupier under the Solar Homes Program.
- Other conditions apply for each rebate. For full details see the Solar for Homes General Fact Sheet 01.08.22
About the Victorian Solar for Business Program
The Solar for Business Program is a new initiative designed to support Victorian small businesses to reduce their energy costs by accessing the benefits of renewable energy. This initiative will bring down energy bills for small businesses by reducing the upfront cost of the installation of an approved small-scale solar PV system up to 30kW. Solar for Business rebates will remain at $3,500 until all forecasted rebates for 2020-21 have been fully allocated, and will be up to $1,750 thereafter.
Rebates for Business – $3,500
Eligible business owners can reduce the upfront cost of a solar power (PV) system with rebates up to $3,500, plus the options of an interest-free loan, to reduce their energy costs and invest in a cleaner, renewable future. For full details see the Solar for Business Fact Sheet General 03.05.22 For full details about the loan component see Solar for Business Loans Fact Sheet 08.03.22 There is also a rebate for Landlords of commercial properties available, for full details see the Solar for Business Landlords Fact Sheet 08.03.22
Solar For Business Eligibility
All entity types, excluding government organisations, are eligible for the Solar for Business rebate providing they meet the following criteria:
- Be the owner of a business that employs at least one person, not including the business owner, and less than 20 people
- Operate from premises that are non-residential
- Operate from premises that are individually metered
- Install a solar system with a PV capacity size up to 30kW
Solar Rebate FAQs
Is there a maximum/minimum size system that is eligible under Solar Homes?
No. The Victorian Government has said that it will provide a rebate on the cost of solar panels (PV) system, up to a maximum rebate of $1850.
If I receive support from the Solar Homes Program, am I still eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the Federal Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme?
Yes. The Solar Homes Rebates are additional to the Federal STC scheme. Solar Homes Rebates will be calculated after the STC incentive has been applied.
Can replacement solar water heating systems also claim support through the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET) scheme?
Yes.
Does the Solar Homes Package cover new solar water heaters or is it just for replacement systems?
The Solar Homes Package only supports the installation of replacement hot water systems, including existing solar hot water heaters.
Does the Solar Homes Package cover replacement solar PV systems or is it just for new systems?
Early adopters of solar PV, who meet all other eligibility criteria, are able to claim a rebate for a new or expanded system. An early adopter is defined as a solar system that was installed prior to the commencement of the Premium Feed-in Tariff (PFIT) on November 1, 2009. Your Distribution Network Service Provider can confirm if the date when your solar PV system was connected to the grid was prior to the start of the PFIT. Other than for early adopters, the solar rebate cannot be used to expand an existing solar panel installation.
If I am buying a solar PV system under the Solar Homes Program can I also buy a battery?
Yes, you can also buy a battery. However, you can only apply for one rebate under the program. So, if you have already claimed a rebate for Solar Power you can’t also claim the rebate for a Battery.
Is community housing eligible?
Yes, if they can if meet the Solar Homes criteria for community housing organisations.
Are rental properties eligible?
Yes, Solar Victoria are providing a rebate of up to $1,400 for eligible landlords to reduce the cost of installing a solar panel system on a maximum of two rental properties each financial year, subject to a Solar Homes Landlord-Tenant Agreement being signed.
You can reduce your upfront cost even further by applying for an interest-free loan to match the rebate amount.
Only one application is available per address, however landlords can apply for up to two rental properties in a financial year provided all of the eligibility criteria are met.
Victorian landlords are eligible to receive a rebate for their rental property if:
- their renters have a combined household income of under $180,000 per year (based on any of the last two year’s taxable income)
- the property is valued at under $3 million and does not already have solar panels (PV) installed
- there has been no prior participation in the Solar Homes program for that address
- a Solar Homes Landlord-Tenant Agreement is signed by the landlord and all renters
- the property is currently tenanted with a rental agreement in place.
How much will a household save on energy bills by installing solar (PV)?
Installing solar PV will save a typical household around $890 per annum off their electricity bill.
Can I feed in the excess energy created by solar into the grid after I install solar panels?
Not everyone will be able to feed excess energy into the grid and your local distribution network service provider will inform you if this is the case.
*Early adopters of solar PV, who meet all other eligibility criteria, are able to claim a rebate for a new or expanded system. An early adopter is defined as a solar system that was installed prior to the commencement of the Premium Feed-In Tariff (PFIT) on November 1, 2009. Your Distribution Network Service Provider can confirm that the date on which your solar PV system was connected to the grid was prior to the start of the PFIT. Other than for early adopters, the solar rebate cannot be used to expand an existing solar panel installation.