Melbourne, Victoria — 7 August 2026 — Changes to Victoria’s Solar Homes Program have introduced a new household income eligibility threshold for solar panel rebates, with applications submitted after 30 June 2026 assessed against a combined household taxable income limit of $150,000.
The previous income threshold was $210,000. Solar Victoria announced the change in May 2026, with the revised threshold taking effect from 1 July 2026. The value of the solar panel rebate remains unchanged, with eligible Victorian households able to receive a rebate of up to $1,400 towards the cost of installing a solar photovoltaic (PV) system. An interest-free loan of up to $1,400 is also available to eligible applicants who choose the loan option.
The revised eligibility settings form part of the 2026–27 Solar Homes Program requirements. Other eligibility conditions continue to apply, including property and system requirements. For owner-occupiers, the property value must generally be below $3 million, while the property must not have previously received a solar panel or solar battery rebate under the program. Eligible applicants must also use an authorised solar retailer and eligible products.
Solar Victoria reported that more than half of previous solar panel rebates, approximately 55 per cent, had gone to Victorian homes with a combined household income below $100,000. The agency also reported that more than 80 per cent of existing Solar Homes Program customers would remain eligible under the new $150,000 income threshold.
The broader Solar Homes Program has recorded significant participation. Solar Victoria’s April and May 2026 reporting recorded 512,649 approved applications, 487,488 installations and approximately $798 million in rebates across the program.
The updated requirements also include product and installation standards. Solar PV modules and inverters must meet specified eligibility requirements, while participating retailers must meet program requirements relating to consumer protection, authorised products and installation practices. Solar Victoria also requires participating solar PV retailers to provide a minimum five-year whole-of-system warranty for eligible systems.
The changes mean Victorian households considering rooftop solar need to assess their eligibility under the rules applying at the time of their application. Income, property, equipment and installation requirements can affect access to the rebate.
The revised $150,000 income threshold has applied to applications submitted from 1 July 2026, marking a significant change in the eligibility settings for Victoria’s residential solar rebate program.
