Solar rebates in Canberra: what you can claim in 2026

Written and checked by the Energy Merchants desk · Reviewed 2 October 2026

This is the Canberra guide. For every scheme in the state, see the Australian Capital Territory rebates guide.

Solar rebate in Canberra

Canberra’s solar rebate is the federal STC discount. The number of certificates depends on system size, your postcode’s zone rating and the deeming period, which is 5 years for 2026 installs, 4 for 2027 and 1 for 2030, before the scheme ends on 31 December 2030. At the $38 to $40 spot range at the time of writing, STCs still give a meaningful upfront discount. Always check the zone by postcode rather than assuming. For the territory’s loan-based support, see the ACT page.

ACT Sustainable Household Scheme

The scheme is the ACT’s signature program, delivered with a finance partner. It has historically been marketed as zero-interest, but third-party sources report that new loans carry an interest rate from 1 July 2025, with a ceiling of $20,000 over up to 10 years. Because the terms have shifted, tell customers to confirm them on the Climate Choices site. It covers products such as household batteries and hot water heat pumps, and eligibility depends on the product and, in some cases, property value.

Battery rebate in Canberra

Canberra households use the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, roughly 30% off at launch, for CEC-approved, VPP-capable batteries from 5 to 100 kWh usable, up to 50 kWh eligible, one per property. The STC factor is 6.8 per kWh for 2026 installs and steps down to 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and 5.2 on 1 July 2027, with a reduced rate above 14 kWh since 1 May 2026. The scheme loan can finance what remains. See the battery STC pillar.

Evoenergy, climate and roofs

Evoenergy is the network for the ACT. Canberra has a cold, dry climate with frosty winters, hot summers and clear skies, which suits solar: cold panels run efficiently, and sunny days are common even in July. Roofs are mostly tile or Colorbond on suburban brick homes, and many were built with solar in mind. Snow load is minor but wind can be strong, so mounting quality matters. Typical systems are 6.6 kW to 10 kW, often with a battery sized for winter evening heating loads.

Council and local programs

Canberra has no separate council layer, because the ACT Government acts as both state and local government. Its programs are the Sustainable Household Scheme and related Climate Choices initiatives, so check there for current offers.

STC trading for Canberra installers

Because certificates are lodged and sold online, a Canberra installer can use any trader. Compare the published rate, rate lock, fees and settlement time. Installers working across the border into NSW must keep the zone and network details for each job separate. The certificate trader checklist and installation type guide are useful, and you can start trading when ready. For the mechanism, see the STC trading pillar.

Timing a Canberra job

Customers weighing this year against next should know the discount shrinks: the solar deeming period steps down to 4 years in 2027, and the battery STC factor falls from 6.8 to 5.7 on 1 January 2027 and to 5.2 on 1 July 2027. The January 2027 explainer covers it. Because a scheme loan is a separate contract, customers should secure both the loan and the quote before the new year if they want the higher discount.

What a good Canberra quote shows

A clear Canberra quote separates the federal STC discount, the battery discount and any scheme loan, so the customer can see which is a discount and which is a repayment. It should state the zone for the postcode, the usable battery capacity and the loan amount, term and rate as at the date of the quote. Installers who explain that a loan is borrowed money, not a rebate, avoid the complaints that follow when a customer expected it to be free. Strata and heritage-listed homes in older Canberra suburbs may need approvals before panels go on the roof, so check early.