How Victoria’s solar homes program works

Victoria’s Solar Homes program is a targeted initiative run by the Victorian State Government to accelerate the adoption of solar energy among homeowners. The program provides financial incentives in the form of rebates or interest free loans for installing solar panels, solar hot water systems, solar inverters, and home batteries. These incentives aim to lower the upfront costs associated with solar installations, thereby making solar energy more accessible for Victorians.

The Victoria Solar Homes program operates primarily by offering rebates or loans that are predetermined fixed amounts, rather than varying by the size of the system. For example at the time of writing this article the Victorian government was offering rebates for several types of installations:

• Solar PV Systems: A rebate up to $1,400 (plus the option of an interest-free loan) for solar panel installations
• Solar Batteries: An interest-free loan of up to $8,800 for households wishing to add a solar battery to their existing solar panel system.
• Solar Hot Water: Up to $1,000 rebate was available for solar hot water systems.

What makes the Solar Homes program especially beneficial is that it can be stacked with the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). This means you can claim the federal “solar credits” in the form of Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), along with the state-based rebates, effectively double-dipping into savings.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Solar Homes program, you must meet several criteria:

• You must be the homeowner of an existing or under construction home valued at under $3 million.
• The owners must have a combined household taxable income of less than $210,000 per year
• You must not have previously received a rebate under this program for that property.
• You must choose a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installer such as Arkana Energy.

The number of rebates and loans given each year are limited – so if these have already been granted for the year, you will need to wait until the next period or release of additional rebates and interest-free loans.

Example Savings with a 6.6kW Solar System

A 6.6kW solar system is a popular choice for most average-sized homes. The cost for such a system might typically be around $8,000. After applying the federal rebate through SRES, this could come down to around $5,500. With the additional Victoria Solar Homes rebate, the cost could reduce further, potentially down to $4,100. These are approximate figures and can vary based on various factors including brand, installer, and location.

The Claiming Process

Securing your Victorian solar rebate is straightforward, Arkana Energy will walk you through the application process proving guidance every stop of the way. We’ll start by uploading your quote to the Solar Victoria Portal, initiating the online application process to assess your application form and verify your eligibility. To verify your eligibility, you’ll be asked to upload supporting documents such as proof of income and a Council Rates Notice.

Once your eligibility is confirmed, Arkana Energy takes over to claim the rebate for you. The amount of the rebate will be subtracted from the overall cost of your solar system. Following the installation, you’ll simply settle (or finance) the remaining balance, which will already have any federal government STC rebates deducted. This makes the entire process hassle-free and efficient for you.

Conclusion

Victoria’s Solar Homes program offers an excellent opportunity for homeowners to embrace solar energy while enjoying significant savings. Arkana Energy is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring that you maximise the benefits from both state and federal incentives. Get in touch with us to take the first step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective energy solution.

Once you’ve committed to solar and are ready to apply for the Solar Victoria rebate you can click here to view our guide to applying for the SolarVic rebate.