Australian Capital Territory

ACT solar and battery rebates, with sources.

The Sustainable Household Scheme is a low-interest loan, not a cash rebate — and as of mid-2025, standalone solar PV was removed from the general scheme. Batteries, heat pumps, and EV chargers remain. Federal STCs and Cheaper Home Batteries still apply.

Australian Capital Territory · STC Zone 3 (1.382) · Last verified 2026-05-23

ACT state programs

Sustainable Household Scheme

Administered by ACT Government (delivered via Brighte) · Status: loan-only — Open. Now 3% interest (was zero-interest until 1 July 2025).

A low-interest loan of $2,000 to $15,000 over up to 10 years for batteries, heat pumps, EV chargers, and other eligible upgrades. Not a cash rebate.

What it is worth: $2,000–$15,000 loan at 3% interest, up to 10 years. Concession card holders can access a separate solar rebate of up to $5,000 plus a $10,000 zero-interest loan via the Home Energy Support Program.

Eligibility

  • ACT resident, homeowner (or driving licence holder for EV-related loans)
  • Standard Brighte credit check
  • Must attend a free 1-hour workshop before applying
  • Eligible products: batteries, electric heating/cooling, hot water heat pumps, EV chargers, EVs, ceiling insulation

Stacks with

  • Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program on the battery
  • Federal STCs on the solar panels (where solar still qualifies via the concession pathway)

The catch most people miss: This is a loan, not a rebate — homeowners still pay the full cost, just at 3% interest over up to 10 years. Many homeowners think it’s free money. Also: standalone solar PV is no longer covered for the general population — only concession card holders, via a separate program. Don’t assume an ACT solar rebate without checking eligibility.

Federal programs — these apply in ACT too

Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)

Administered by Clean Energy Regulator · Status: open — Open, phasing down annually until scheme end in 2030

An upfront discount on your solar panel system, applied by the installer at point of sale.

What it is worth: Calculated as: system size (kW) × your postcode zone rating × deeming period (5 years in 2026). Each STC trades on the open market — typically around $36–$39. A 6.6 kW system in Sydney (Zone 3) currently generates around 44–46 STCs.

Eligibility

  • System size ≤ 100 kW
  • CEC-accredited installer and CEC-approved panels and inverter
  • New install (not a replacement of an existing system claimed within the same window)

Stacks with

  • Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (battery STCs are a separate stream)
  • Every active state rebate stacks with STCs

The catch most people miss: STC value drops every 1 January as the deeming period shrinks by one year. A system installed in December 2026 is worth meaningfully more in STCs than the same system installed in January 2027.

Cheaper Home Batteries Program

Administered by Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (delivered as STCs) · Status: open — Open since 1 July 2025

Roughly a quarter off the installed cost of a home battery, applied upfront like the solar STC.

What it is worth: Calculated as: usable battery kWh × STC factor × certificate spot price. From 1 May 2026 the STC factor is 6.8 per usable kWh (down from 8.4 in Jan–Apr 2026). Tapered above 14 kWh — 60% rate from 14–28 kWh, 15% rate from 28–50 kWh, nothing above 50 kWh.

Eligibility

  • Battery installed on a new or existing solar PV system
  • Usable capacity between 5 kWh and 100 kWh nominal
  • One battery rebate per address — only the first battery at any site qualifies
  • System commissioned on or after 1 July 2025

Stacks with

  • Federal STCs on the solar panels
  • NSW VPP incentive
  • WA Residential Battery Scheme
  • NT Home and Business Battery Scheme
  • ACT Sustainable Household Scheme loan

The catch most people miss: The STC factor steps down on 1 May each year. An identically-priced battery installed 30 April 2026 is worth roughly $300–$400 more in rebate than the same battery installed 1 May 2026 (10 kWh example). Homeowners who delay past April lose meaningful money.

Common questions

Is the Sustainable Household Scheme actually free money?
No. It’s a low-interest loan of $2,000–$15,000 at 3% interest over up to 10 years. You still pay the full system cost; you just spread it. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program is the actual cash rebate on top.
Why was solar PV removed from the scheme?
Solar PV was removed from the general Sustainable Household Scheme during the 2025 mid-year update. ACT Government policy now treats federal STCs as the primary solar subsidy. Concession card holders can still access solar via the Home Energy Support Program.
What zone is Canberra in for STC purposes?
Canberra is in Zone 3 with a zone rating of 1.382, the same as Sydney.
Do I have to attend the workshop?
Yes — the free 1-hour workshop is a precondition for applying. The ACT Government uses it to walk through scheme rules, product eligibility, and the Brighte credit application.
Can I use the loan for both a battery and an EV charger?
Yes, provided the total stays within your $2,000–$15,000 limit. Multiple eligible products in one application is allowed.

Postcode in, up to 3 vetted installers out. Free for homeowners, no obligation. Federal rebates · Solar guides