Solar Rebate QLD Explained: Apply, Save & Earn with Solar
- What Is the Solar Rebate in QLD?
- When Does the Solar Rebate End?
- Who Is Eligible for the QLD Solar Rebate
- How to Apply for the QLD Solar Rebate?
- How Much Can You Save with Solar Rebates in QLD?
- Solar Feed-In Tariffs in QLD: Another Way to Save
- Not Ready for a Rooftop System? Try a Portable Solar Generator
- Conclusion
- FAQs
If you’ve been thinking about going solar, you’ve probably heard about the solar rebate QLD offers. It’s a great incentive that helps make solar more affordable for Queensland households and small businesses. But with so much information out there, it can be tricky to figure out what’s actually available and how to make the most of it.
In this guide, you’ll get a clear rundown on how the rebate works, who’s eligible, and what kind of savings you could expect. We’ll also cover feed-in tariffs—another handy way to save once your system’s up and running.
What Is the Solar Rebate in QLD?
When you hear people talking about the solar power rebate QLD households and businesses can claim, they’re actually referring to the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which is a nationwide initiative.
Here’s how it works: when you install a solar power system under 100 kW, you’re awarded something called Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). These certificates have real market value and can be traded for a discount off your system’s cost. Normally, your solar installers will handle this for you by applying the discount directly to your quote—so it feels just like a rebate at the point of sale.
Because Queensland gets so much sunshine, systems here qualify for more STCs than in cooler, less sunny states. That’s why the savings are often higher. For example, a typical 6.6 kW system in Brisbane could get you between $2,000 and $2,500 off in 2025, depending on current STC prices (which tend to sit around $38 to $40 per certificate).
When Does the Solar Rebate End?
The SRES, and with it the government solar rebate QLD residents enjoy, is legislated to finish on 31 December 2030.
Here’s the catch: the number of STCs you can claim drops every year. That’s because the scheme phases out gradually. Each 1 January, the rebate steps down as the “deeming period” shortens. In simple terms, the longer you wait, the fewer certificates you’ll get.
For a 6.6 kW system in Brisbane, waiting just one extra year in 2025 would trim the rebate by roughly $350. So, if you’re thinking about going solar, it usually pays to act before the end of the calendar year to lock in the higher rebate.
Who Is Eligible for the QLD Solar Rebate
The good news is that most households and businesses in Queensland are eligible for the solar rebate, as long as a few basic conditions are met. Here’s what you’ll need:
System size must be under 100 kW (DC panel capacity) and installed at a single eligible address.
All components—solar panels and inverters—must be brand new and listed on the Clean Energy Council’s approved products list.
Your system has to be installed by a CEC-accredited installer. You can verify their accreditation status [here]. DIY setups aren’t eligible.
The STCs need to be created or assigned within 12 months of installation.
The property must be in Australia and connected (or connectable) to the grid, with a compliant meter and installation.
You can only claim the rebate once per installation at a specific address. However, if you later expand your system with a new, eligible unit, you might be able to claim additional STCs.
There’s no household income test and you don’t have to own the property outright. But landlords and businesses will need to keep proof of purchase and assignment paperwork for the Clean Energy Regulator.
How to Apply for the QLD Solar Rebate?
In most cases, the solar rebate QLD is built into your quote through the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), and your installer does the heavy lifting for you.
Here’s how it works, step by step:
Shop around for CEC-accredited quotes. Start by comparing offers from retailers that use Clean Energy Council–approved panels and inverters and employ CEC-accredited installers. These are core eligibility rules under the SRES.
Check that the solar rebate discount is already on the quote. Solar systems earn Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). Installers usually estimate their market value—about $38–$40 per STC right now—and subtract it from the sticker price, so you see the saving up front.
Sign the STC assignment form. When you accept a quote, you’ll be asked to assign the right to create your STCs to the installer or their registered agent. This is what lets them turn the certificates into cash and give you the discount.
Installation, inspection and paperwork. After the system goes on the roof, the installer uploads evidence (photos, electrical compliance, serial numbers) to the Clean Energy Regulator’s REC Registry and creates the STCs on your behalf.
Timing matters. STCs must be created within 12 months of the install date, so be sure your installer finalises the paperwork promptly. Otherwise the rebate can be refused.
Prefer to do it yourself?
Technically, you can apply for the STCs directly through the REC Registry, but it’s time-consuming, requires an account, and you’ll be responsible for selling them on the open market. Most people let their installer handle it.
How Much Can You Save with Solar Rebates in QLD?
So, how much can the solar rebate QLD offers actually save you? Let’s start with a simple rule of thumb:
Based on today’s STC spot price of about $38-$40, most homes in Queensland can expect a rebate of about $320 to $380 per kW of solar panels installed in 2025. That’s thanks to our generous sunshine, especially in regional zones.
Here’s how that plays out across different system sizes:
System size | Est. price before rebate | Upfront SRES rebate | Est. price after rebate | Typical annual savings |
3 kW | $4,000 | –$1,050 | $2,950 | ≈ $600 |
5 kW | $6,600 | –$1,750 | $4,850 | ≈ $1,000 |
6.6 kW (QLD’s favourite) | $8,800 | –$2,150 | $6,650 | ≈ $1,400 |
8 kW | $10,600 | –$2,650 | $7,950 | ≈ $1,800 |
10 kW | $13,200 | –$3,300 | $9,900 | ≈ $2,200 |
What These Numbers Mean for You
If you live in regional QLD (like Townsville, Cairns, or Rockhampton), you’re in STC Zones 1 or 2. That means your system generates more electricity and attracts a fatter rebate than systems in Brisbane (Zone 3). You could save an extra $200–$400 on a typical 6.6 kW install.
A 6.6 kW system, the most popular size in QLD, usually pays for itself in about 4 to 6 years, depending on how much solar energy you use during the day.
Every 1 January, the rebate drops slightly as the “deeming period” shortens. Waiting until 2026 slices roughly $350 off the rebate on a 6.6 kW install and costs you a full year of bill savings, so moving sooner usually wins on the spreadsheet.
Solar Feed-In Tariffs in QLD: Another Way to Save
Once up and running, when your solar system produces more electricity than you use during the day, the excess power is sent back to the grid. A feed-in tariff (FiT) is the rate your electricity retailer pays you for this exported energy, appearing as a credit on your bill.
In regional QLD (Ergon network), the FiT is regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority. For the 2024–25 financial year, it’s set at 12.377¢ per kWh. However, a draft determination suggests it may decrease to 8.69¢ per kWh in 2025–26.
In South-East QLD, FiTs are not regulated, so rates vary between retailers. In 2025, the highest offers are around 15-18¢ per kWh, with others ranging from 5¢ to 12¢ per kWh.
So, how much can you earn from the feed-in tariffs?
A 6.6 kW solar system in Queensland typically generates between 8,000 to 9,500 kWh of electricity annually, depending on factors like location, panel orientation, and shading.
Assuming you export 50% of this energy to the grid, the estimated annual earnings will look like this:
Regional QLD: 4,000 kWh × $0.12377 = $495.08
South-East QLD:
At 5¢/kWh: 4,000 kWh × $0.05 = $200.00
At 12¢/kWh: 4,000 kWh × $0.12 = $480.00
Since the credit for exported power is usually lower than the cost of buying electricity (about 27¢ per kWh), you’ll save the most by using your solar energy as it’s being generated—think running the dishwasher, washing machine, or AC during the day.
Not Ready for a Rooftop System? Try a Portable Solar Generator
Let’s face it, once the discount is baked in, quality rooftop solar gear still lands at roughly $1,000 per kW. You’ll also need a suitable roof and strata approval for the setup. If you’re renting, don’t have the budget just yet, or your roof isn’t ideal for panels, you can still take advantage of the sun with a portable solar generator.
These compact, all-in-one kits let you generate and store your own solar power without needing a roof or professional install. The solar panel plugs straight into a luggable portable power station, so you can charge gadgets on the balcony, keep a fridge cold during blackouts, or take silent, emission-free power camping. They’re perfect for renters, apartment dwellers, van-lifers, and anyone chasing backup energy without petrol fumes or maintenance.
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Conclusion
Switching to solar is a big move, but with the solar rebate QLD provides, it’s a lot more affordable than you might think. From upfront savings to long-term energy bill reductions, going solar just makes sense.
Just remember that the rebate value decreases annually and ends in 2030. So, if you’re ready to take the next step, now’s the time to check your eligibility, run the numbers, and get your application sorted!
FAQs
How much is the solar rebate in QLD?
In Queensland, the primary solar rebate comes from the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). This scheme provides Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) that reduce the upfront cost of installing solar panels. For a typical 6.6 kW system, the rebate averages between $2,000 and $2,500 in 2025, depending on your location and current STC market prices. The rebate is usually applied directly by your installer, so you pay the discounted price.
What is the $3700 homeowner rebate in Queensland?
The widely advertised “$3,700 homeowner rebate” is not a separate Queensland grant. It’s simply a marketing shorthand for the upper-end Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) discount a mid-sized (around 8–10 kW) home solar system can attract in 2025. The amount you receive is still calculated under the federal government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), so it rises or falls with STC prices, system size and location, and you claim it automatically by signing your STCs over to an approved installer.
Can you get free solar panels in Queensland?
No, there are currently no programs in Queensland that offer completely free solar panels. However, the federal government’s Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC) rebate can substantially lower the cost of installation. Additionally, some providers may offer financing options or payment plans to make solar systems more affordable.
Who is eligible for solar battery rebate in QLD?
Previously, the solar battery rebate QLD referred to the Queensland Battery Booster Program, which closed on 8 May 2024. It offered rebates of $3,000–$4,000 for homeowners with a combined taxable income of $180,000 or less who installed a solar battery through an approved provider. While that program has ended, from July 2025, a new federal scheme—the Cheaper Home Batteries Program—will offer rebates of around 30% off battery costs to all households, including those in Queensland.