Government Solar Rebates in Tasmania 2026: What You Can Actually Claim

Quick answer: in 2026 the government help for solar in Tasmania is federal. There are two programs: the STC rebate (Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme) on solar panels and heat pump hot water, and the Cheaper Home Batteries Program on batteries. Both come off your quote up front. There is no Tasmanian state solar or battery rebate, and the state’s Energy Saver Loan Scheme has closed to new applications. Separately, the Tasmanian Economic Regulator sets a minimum feed-in tariff of 9.276c/kWh for 2026–27, which retailers must offer eligible customers for the solar they export.

What solar rebates are available in Tasmania in 2026?

Rebate or incentive	Who runs it	What it covers	Status (October 2026)
STC rebate (SRES)	Federal	Solar panels; also heat pump and solar hot water	Available; shrinks each year to 2030
Cheaper Home Batteries Program	Federal	Home batteries paired with solar	Available; steps down every six months
Feed-in tariff	Set by the Tasmanian Economic Regulator	Credit for exported solar	9.276c/kWh minimum for 2026–27
Tasmanian state solar or battery rebate	State	—	None
Energy Saver Loan Scheme (0% loans)	State	Was: solar, batteries, heat pumps	Closed to new applications

How much rebate do I get for solar panels?

The solar rebate depends on system size, where you live and the year it is installed. Each eligible system creates Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), and your installer takes their value off your price. Tasmania is in STC Zone 4, which creates fewer certificates per kW than sunnier mainland zones.

Worked example: a 6.6 kW system installed in Tasmania in 2026 creates 39 STCs (6.6 kW × Zone 4 rating 1.185 × 5 years left in the scheme, rounded down). At recent certificate prices of about $36–$40 each, that is roughly $1,400–$1,560 off the price. The same system installed in 2027 creates about 31 STCs. A 13 kW system in 2026 creates about 77 STCs, roughly $2,750–$3,100.

The number of certificates drops every 1 January until the scheme ends in 2030, so the same system earns a smaller rebate each year it is delayed. On a quote, the STC discount should appear as its own line, with the number of certificates and the price per certificate.

Is there a government rebate for batteries in Tasmania?

Yes, the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, running since 1 July 2025. For a battery installed and certified between May and December 2026, the discount is 6.8 certificates (STCs) per usable kWh, roughly $245–$270 per kWh depending on the certificate price, on the first 14 kWh. Capacity from 14 to 28 kWh gets 60% of that rate, 28 to 50 kWh gets 15%, and nothing above 50 kWh. On 1 January 2027 it drops to 5.7 STCs per kWh (roughly $205–$230), and it keeps stepping down every six months to 2030.

The rules that catch people out:

The battery must be connected to solar, either a new system or one you already have. A battery on its own doesn’t qualify.
It must be VPP-capable. You don’t have to join a virtual power plant, and there is no generally available retail VPP for Tasmanian homes anyway.
It must be an approved product installed by an accredited installer (Solar Accreditation Australia).

There is no extra Tasmanian state battery rebate on top. More detail is in our Cheaper Home Batteries Program guide, and home battery costs in Tasmania covers prices.

Is there a rebate for heat pump hot water in Tasmania?

Yes. Air-source heat pump hot water systems create STCs under the same federal scheme as solar panels. A typical 250–280 L heat pump creates about 16–17 STCs in 2026, roughly $575–$680 off the price, depending on the model and the certificate price. Smaller units create fewer. There is currently no separate Tasmanian state heat pump rebate. See our guide to heat pump hot water in Tasmania.

Can I still get a 0% interest loan for solar in Tasmania?

Not through the state any more. Tasmania’s Energy Saver Loan Scheme, which offered interest-free loans for solar, batteries and efficient appliances, has closed to new applications. Some lenders and retailers offer “green” loans or payment plans, but check the full cost, including fees and any higher system price, before signing. Door-to-door or phone offers of “free” or “government-funded” solar are a common red flag. Our guide to door-to-door solar sales in Tasmania explains your rights.

Do I have to apply for the solar rebate myself?

Usually not. In almost every case the installer creates and sells the certificates, then takes the value off your invoice. What you do need to check is that your installer is SAA-accredited, the panels, inverter and battery are on the approved product lists, and the STC discount is shown on your quote.

Is the feed-in tariff a rebate?

Not exactly. It is a credit for the solar you send to the grid, not a discount on buying a system. Tasmania’s minimum feed-in tariff is 9.276c/kWh for 2026–27, up from 8.782c in 2025–26. Buying power costs about twice that off-peak on Tariff 93 (17.02c/kWh) and about four times that in the peak (36.19c/kWh), so using your own solar is worth far more than exporting it. Over the life of a system, that matters more for your bill than the rebate. See the Tasmanian feed-in tariff explained.

Things to check before you rely on a rebate

Rebate amounts change on fixed dates (STCs every 1 January; the battery program every six months), so a quote is priced for a particular install date.
“Government rebate” in an ad doesn’t mean a state program. In Tasmania it means the federal STC or battery discount, which installers normally apply.
Connection approval comes first. Your installer applies to TasNetworks before installation, and your retailer may need to update your meter or account before you’re credited for exports.

For the full overview, see solar rebates in Tasmania.

This guide is written by the Tasmanian solar team at Solar Generation Tasmania. Rebate settings change, so check the current figures for your own install date before deciding.

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Published by Solar Generation Tasmania. General information current as at publication — rebates, tariffs and prices change, so confirm current figures before deciding.