Think Solar & Battery Rebates Have Ended? No! Here’s What’s Still Available in 2026

If you’ve heard rumours that Victoria’s solar and battery rebates are over — don’t believe them. The programs are very much alive in 2026, and eligible Victorian homeowners can still access thousands of dollars in government support. What has changed is who qualifies, not whether support exists at all.

Here’s everything you need to know about what’s still available, what changed in July 2026, and how to make the most of it.

The Short Answer: Rebates Are Still Very Much Available

Victoria’s Solar Homes program has been running since 2018, and it has been one of Australia’s most successful clean energy initiatives. When it launched, around 14% of Victorian homes had rooftop solar. By mid-2026, that number has doubled to 30%. The government’s goal was to help 777,000 homes upgrade to solar and hot water systems — and it’s well on track.

The program hasn’t ended. The only thing that changed on 1 July 2026 was the income eligibility cap. If your combined household income is $150,000 or less per year, you are still fully eligible for the rebate. Nothing else has changed.

What Rebates Are Still Available in 2026?

Solar Panel (PV) Rebate — Up to $1,400

Eligible Victorian homeowners can receive up to $1,400 off the upfront cost of a rooftop solar installation — or 50% of the cost after federal STCs are applied, whichever is lower. For example:

• If your 6.6 kW system costs $2,500 after STCs, the government pays $1,250
• If the system costs $4,000, the government pays $1,400 (the cap)

You can also access an interest-free loan of up to $1,400, repaid automatically over 4 years — making solar genuinely zero out of pocket for many households.

Solar Battery — Federal Support Available

While the Victorian Solar Homes program focuses on solar panels and hot water, federal support for battery storage is also available through the Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme. At UpgradeX, we work with GoodWe and Fox ESS solar batteries — two of the most reliable and cost-effective options on the market — and we help you understand exactly what financial support you’re entitled to.

Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate — Up to $1,400

If you’re replacing an old gas or electric hot water system with a heat pump, you can receive:

• Up to $1,000 for approved heat pump systems
• Up to $1,400 if the heat pump is Australian-manufactured

Heat pumps are one of the best upgrades Victorian homeowners can make — they use up to 70% less electricity than traditional electric systems and work beautifully with rooftop solar.

What Changed on 1 July 2026?

The only change was the income cap. Here’s a simple before-and-after comparison:

The rebate amounts haven’t changed. The loan hasn’t changed. The eligibility rules beyond income haven’t changed. The government simply decided to focus the fund on households with combined incomes below $150,000 — the group that benefits most from financial support.

Importantly, around 52–55% of all rebates given out so far already went to households earning below $100,000. So for the majority of Victorian homeowners, nothing has changed at all.

Am I Still Eligible? Full Eligibility Checklist

Here’s a quick rundown of the current eligibility criteria under the updated rules:

✅ Ownership: You must be the owner-occupier of the property. Landlords can apply separately for rental properties.

✅ Income: Your combined household taxable income must be $150,000 or less per year. This means every owner on the title added together — not just the person filling out the form.

✅ Property value: The property must be valued under $3 million.

✅ No prior rebate at this address: The property address must not have previously received a solar or hot water rebate under this program. If you’ve moved house, you can apply again at your new address.

✅ System age: Solar systems must not have been installed in the last 10 years. Hot water systems must be at least 3 years old.

✅ Approved suppliers only: You must use an authorised retailer and approved products from Solar Victoria’s list.

What About the Solstice Energy Exemption?

There’s also a special exemption worth knowing about. Solstice Energy is shutting down its compressed natural gas network across 10 regional Victorian towns by mid-to-late 2026. Affected households get the income cap removed entirely, plus $4,200 in upfront support — with no minimum system age required. If you live in one of the affected towns, contact us to find out more.

How to Apply: A Simple Overview

The application process runs through the Solar Victoria Portal and starts with your installer, not you.

1. Get a quote from an authorised retailer like UpgradeX
2. Your retailer uploads the quote to the Solar Victoria Portal
3. You receive an email with a link to begin your application
4. Complete your application within 14 days of reserving your spot
5. Upload income proof and confirm your eligibility
6. Receive your QR code once approved
7. Installation day — your installer scans the QR code before work begins
8. Pay only the difference between the invoice and your rebate

The rebate is paid directly to your installer. You never have to chase a refund or deal with government invoicing yourself.

Why Now Is the Right Time to Upgrade

With the income cap now tighter, the rebate is actually better targeted — meaning the monthly allocation is less likely to be exhausted quickly by higher-income households who don’t need the support as much. If your income is under $150,000, now is an excellent time to act.

Energy prices in Victoria continue to rise. Households with solar and battery storage are reporting electricity bill reductions of 60–90%. Heat pumps are replacing gas hot water systems across Victoria as gas network costs climb and electrification accelerates.

At UpgradeX, we install:

• Solar panels — residential and commercial
• Solar batteries — GoodWe and Fox ESS
• Heat pump hot water systems — Ecogenica and Midea
• Air conditioning — Rinnai, Midea, multi-split and ducted systems

We handle the rebate process for you from start to finish, so there’s no paperwork stress and no delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I earn between $150,000 and $210,000. Am I completely locked out?
Not forever. If your income drops below $150,000 in a future year, you become eligible again. You can also still access the federal STC scheme for solar panels regardless of income.

Q: Can I get both a solar panel rebate and a heat pump rebate?
Yes — these are separate rebates. You can apply for both at the same property, provided you meet the eligibility criteria for each.

Q: What if my hot water system has already broken down?
There’s an emergency application pathway for hot water. If you’ve already had to install a replacement due to a breakdown, tick the emergency checkbox in the portal.

Q: Do I need to use a specific brand?
You must use products from Solar Victoria’s approved list. UpgradeX only installs approved brands, so this is something we manage for you.

Q: How long does approval take?
Once your application is submitted, Solar Victoria typically approves it within a few business days. You then have 120 days (or 270 days for a home under construction) to complete the installation.

Ready to Check Your Eligibility?

Don’t let confusion about the changes stop you from accessing support you’re entitled to. If your combined household income is $150,000 or less, the rebate is still there for you — and UpgradeX is here to make the process simple.

Get in touch with our team today for a free assessment and quote.

Contact UpgradeX Renewable Energy

📞 Phone: +61 476 231 777 📧 Email: info@upgradex.com.au 🌐 Website: www.upgradex.com.au

Our team is available Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

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UpgradeX Pty Ltd | Melbourne, Victoria | Solar · Battery · Heat Pump · Air Conditioning