What Is the Victorian Solar Rebate For 2023?

Going solar is exciting. But knowing where to start can be tricky.

The most important thing to know is that now, more than ever, there’s ample help available when it comes to reducing the upfront cost of quality solar panels.

If you live in Victoria and are searching for the right advice on the current government solar rebates, you’ve come to the right place.

But here’s something you might not have realised: did you know that there’s not just one main Victorian solar rebate currently available, but three?

That’s right. As of 2023, there are three main types of solar rebates available in Victoria, made available by Solar Victoria:

• Victorian Solar Panel Rebate (plus interest-free loan)
• Victorian Hot Water Rebate
• The new Solar Battery Loan Program, announced as part of the 2023-24 Victorian State Budget

In this article, we’ll delve into each of these rebate programs, discussing what they are, their eligibility criteria, benefits, and how you can make the most of each to harness the power of the sun and save big-time on energy costs.

Note that this information is subject to change at any time. For the most up-to-date information on current Victorian solar and solar battery rebates, give our team a call today on 1300 137 567 or visit Solar Victoria’s website.

Now – let’s get going!

About the Victorian Solar Panel Rebate

What is the Solar Panel Rebate?

The Solar Panel Rebate is a program initiated by Solar Victoria to provide financial assistance to homeowners in Victoria who wish to install new solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Under this scheme, eligible households currently receive a rebate of up to $1,400 for solar panel system installation. To further reduce installation costs, eligible Victorians can also apply for an interest-free loan, for an amount equivalent to their rebate amount.

The loan is required to be repaid over four years or can be repaid sooner in one lump sum.

This particular rebate program is perfect if you’re a first-time solar installer or looking to renew an older system installed prior to 1 November 2009.

Who is eligible for the Solar Panel Rebate?

To qualify for the Victorian Solar Panel Rebate, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be the owner-occupier of an existing property or the owner of a home under construction where the system will be installed
• The combined household taxable income of all owners must be less than $180,000 per year
• The property’s value should be under $3 million, or for homes under construction, it should be valued under $3 million upon completion
• The property should not have previously received a solar panel or solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program
• The property must not have had a solar PV system installed after 1st November 2009

How do I apply for the Victorian Solar Panel Rebate?

Step 1

The first step is to research solar retailers authorised to participate in the program and meet your energy needs. We’ll save you the trouble – as a trusted retailer with over 15+ years of award-winning solar expertise, you needn’t go further than G Store. Just check out our incredible range of quality, high-efficiency solar panels here.

Step 2

You’ll then need to obtain a quote for the solar panel system installation from an authorised retailer, such as G Store. From here, you’ll submit your eligibility assessment application, along with proof of income and property details – we can help you with this if unsure.

Step 3

Upon confirmation of eligibility, your retailer will claim the rebate on your behalf and deduct the rebate amount from the total cost of your system including installation. All that’s left to do is pay the remaining balance directly to the retailer after the solar panels are installed.

Did you know:

On average, households in Victoria can save up to $1,073 per year on their electricity bills after installing a brand-new solar PV panel system. Just think of the long-term savings!

About the Victorian Hot Water Rebate

What is the Hot Water Rebate?

The Hot Water Rebate is a Victorian state government financial initiative aimed at encouraging the installation of energy-efficient hot water systems across the state, including heat pumps and solar hot water systems.

Under this program, households can receive a rebate of up to $1,000 for eligible hot water system installations. This rebate is a perfect option if you’re looking to upgrade your old, legacy hot water system to a more energy-efficient alternative.

Who is eligible for the Victorian Hot Water Rebate?

To successfully claim the Victorian Hot Water Rebate, you’ll need to fulfil the following strict criteria:

• Be the owner-occupier of an existing property where the system will be installed
• The combined household taxable income of all owners must not exceed $180,000 per year
• The property’s value should be under $3 million
• The property must not have previously received a hot water rebate or solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program
• The hot water system to be replaced must be at least three years old from the date of purchase

How do I apply for the Victorian Solar and Heat Pump Hot Water Rebate?

Step 1

You’ll need to begin by contacting an authorised solar/heat pump hot water retailer to get a quote for the eligible hot water system installation. With over 15+ years of expertise in quality, energy-efficient solar hot water and heat pump hot water solutions, G Store is a great place to start.

Step 2

The next step is to apply for your rebate through the hot water rebate portal, following the guidelines for new or existing customers, depending on your specific circumstances. If you’re worried about using the portal correctly, just get in touch with us – we can help you.

Step 3

Once your rebate has been approved, all you need to do is arrange the installation with the authorised retailer from which you obtained the quote, ensuring the system is an approved product (both the retailer and Solar Victoria can help you with this).

Next, pay the outstanding balance to the retailer after the installation of your new hot water system has been completed, with the rebate amount deducted.

Did you know:

Hot water systems can account for up to 21% of total energy use in households!

It follows, therefore, that installing energy-efficient hot water systems can lead to significant energy savings over time, helping significantly reduce your greenhouse emissions and energy bills.

About Solar Victoria’s Solar Battery Loan Program

What is the Solar Battery Loan Program?

The Solar Battery Loan Program is a new addition to the Solar Homes Program, launched as part of the Victorian state government’s 2023-24 budget.

Aimed at helping eligible Victorian households reduce the upfront cost of installing battery storage systems, this program offers loans of up to $8,800 interest free to an eligible 4,500 homes across Victoria – but you need to act quickly!

Am I eligible for the Victorian Solar Battery Loan?

To be eligible for the Solar Battery Loan, you’ll need to algin with the following eligibility criteria, laid out by Solar Victoria:

• Be the owner-occupier of an existing property where the solar battery system will be installed
• The combined household taxable income of all owners should not exceed $180,000 per year
• The property’s value must be under $3 million
• The property address must not have previously received a solar battery rebate
• The property must have a solar panel system with an inverter capacity equal to or greater than 5kW, or will have one installed along with the solar battery

How can I apply for the Solar Battery Loan Program in Victoria?

Step 1

As solar batteries aren’t for everyone, you’ll need to research and assess the suitability of installing a solar battery for your household’s energy needs. If you need assistance, your trusted G Store solar team can help – just give us a call on 1300 137 567. You’ll also need to apply for pre-approval from your Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) to ensure a safe connection to the grid.

Step 2

Now it’s time to contact an authorised retailer to arrange the installation of the approved solar battery storage system. Again – G Store can help.

Step 3

The next bit’s easy. All that’s left to do is pay the retailer the amount owed for the installation, minus the interest-free loan amount and any other applicable rebates. Loan repayments will be debited from your nominated account 30 days after the installation is approved by Solar Victoria.

Did you know:

Battery storage systems offer several advantages, including reduced energy costs, enhanced energy independence, and backup power during blackouts. Plus – install a solar battery with your brand-new solar PV panel system and you can also access a range of additional benefits – including membership to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program offering attractive feed-in tariffs for the excess energy you store and export!

To earn an incredible feed-in tariff of up to 15c/kW on your exported energy.

Wrapping up

To learn more about the solar rebates available to you in Victoria, visit Solar Victoria’s website, browse the incredible articles available on our Learning Centre, or contact our friendly, award-winning G Store solar team today on 1300 137 567 to discuss your next steps.

We can’t wait to meet you!