The “solar rebate” most people mean is not a rebate in the usual sense. It is a stream of tradable certificates, called STCs, created when a compliant system is installed. Your installer takes those certificates and reduces your price accordingly.
How the upfront discount works
Say a quote shows a system price, then a line for “STC discount” or “government rebate”, then the amount you pay. That line is the installer’s estimate of what the STCs are worth. You sign an assignment form that hands the certificates to the installer, who sells them to a trader to recover the discount.
The number of STCs depends on your system size, your postcode zone and the install year. The full calculation is in how many STCs a 6.6 kW system makes. At the time of writing, STCs have been trading at around $38 to $40 each.
What to check on the quote
- The line is shown as a discount off the price, with the STC count and an assumed value.
- Who owns the STCs: you should have signed an assignment form, and you should know it.
- What happens if the claim is rejected. A reputable installer carries that risk, not you.
- The price is for a complete system, not a deposit and a “rebate later” promise.
Other incentives
Some states add their own: Solar Victoria rebates have a household income cap, which fell to $150,000 on 1 July 2026, and they are separate from STCs. Check the scheme’s official page for current terms.
A quick example
Suppose a quote shows a system price of $9,000, an STC discount of $1,710 for 45 STCs at an assumed $38, and a net price of $7,290. You pay $7,290, and the installer recovers the $1,710 by selling the STCs. If the installer had told you to pay $9,000 and wait for $1,710 to come back, the risk would sit with you instead. Both could be legitimate in some situations, but the first is the norm, and it is much safer for you.
What this means for you
Compare quotes on the net price after the STC discount, then ask the questions above. For the background, see what an STC is and the broader resources hub. The way certificates get sold is explained at how it works.