Are you a QLD homeowner looking for solar?
With an abundance of sunshine, Queensland is a solar powerhouse offering some of the highest solar energy yields in the country. With QLD’s high retail electricity prices, solar is a particularly great investment.
The cost of solar panels Brisbane has fallen dramatically over the last decade – in fact, solar is considerably cheaper in QLD than in most other states and territories. But what about government rebates and incentives? After all, any extra money in your pocket can only be a good thing.
In this article, we’ve compiled and explained the current QLD rebates and incentives available on Federal and state levels for solar products and battery storage systems.
Federal incentives: residential and small businesses
Households and small businesses across Australia that install a small-scale renewable energy system (solar PV, wind, or hydro) or eligible hot water system may be able to receive a benefit under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) to help with the upfront purchase cost.
Installation of an eligible system allows for the creation of Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) with a value that may be traded or assigned away. The number of STCs created is determined by the following factors:
- the amount of renewable electricity the system produces or the amount of electricity consumption it reduces
- the climate region where it’s installed.
Sunnier conditions, such as those found in Queensland, allow for more productive solar panels in Brisbane. This implies you’ll receive more STCs for kilowatt capacity. Note also that the SRES deeming period, which affects how many STCs a system earns, has stepped down to 5 years for systems installed in 2026 (from 6 years in 2025), and continues shortening annually until the scheme closes at the end of 2030.
Eligibility
Small-scale renewable systems that may be eligible for certificates include:
- solar photovoltaic (PV) panels
- wind turbines
- hydro systems
- solar water heaters, and
- air source heat pumps.
Energy Matters can make this easy, with a trusted network of accredited solar installers that only use approved solar components. Receive up to 3, obligation-free solar quotes. It’s fast, free, and takes the hassle out of shopping around.
How do STCs work?
While it may seem complicated, the process of receiving a financial benefit from your STCs is typically straightforward.
House solar panel owners have two options for their STCs:
- Assigning them to an agent, usually the system installer, in exchange for a discount or delayed cash payment.
- Selling the certificates themselves.
Most businesses and homeowners will assign the certificates over to their solar installer in exchange for a discount (often incorrectly referred to as a “rebate”).
While the STCs Clearing House will usually offer a better price than the open market, It is important to note that the certificates are placed in a queue, and sold on a first in – first out basis, which means there is no guarantee on how long the small-scale technology certificates will take to sell.
QLD state rebates and incentives: solar
There’s no general state rebate for solar in Queensland, but landlords can access the Queensland Government’s Supercharged Solar for Renters program. Since 12 December 2025, eligible landlords have been able to claim a rebate of up to $3,500, tiered by system size, to install solar on a rental property with an existing tenancy agreement. Systems must be at least 3 kW, sold by a New Energy Tech Approved Seller, and designed and installed by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited professionals. Landlords must receive conditional approval before installation. Read more in our Supercharged Solar for Renters article.
There is, however, a Feed-in Tariff (FiT) that you may receive from your energy retailer. The FiT is the retail rate that you will receive for the electricity generated by your system that is fed back into the grid.
In QLD, the rules for FiTs vary depending on where you live:
- Regional Queensland (Ergon): The feed-in tariff is set annually by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA), effective from 1 July. The QCA’s final determination for 2026–27 is 6.006 c/kWh, 31% lower than the 2025–26 rate of 8.660 c/kWh.
- SE Queensland (Energex): No minimum rate applies; retailers set their own rates. Compare offers carefully, as plans with higher feed-in tariffs often come with higher usage charges.
Also new for 2026–27: a Solar Sharer Offer is now available in both regional and south-east Queensland. In regional Queensland, the QCA approved the offer for standard contract customers from 1 July 2026. It includes a free usage period from 11am to 2pm each day, up to 24 kWh. In south-east Queensland, the offer was introduced as part of the Australian Energy Regulator’s 2026–27 default market offer. It’s worth checking if you can shift some of your electricity use to the middle of the day.
To ensure you are receiving the best FiT possible, it’s important to shop around and switch energy retailers if necessary at least every 6 months. Energy Matters’ fast and free energy comparison tool targets competitive deals in your postcode area, and compares against your current energy bill. With FiT rates continuing to decline, maximising self-consumption and pairing your solar system with battery storage is increasingly the smarter financial strategy for Queensland solar owners.
Keep in mind that the highest feed-in tariff rate is not necessarily the best. In many cases, energy retailers give with one hand and take with another; so they pay a lot more for your fed-in electricity, but they’ll also charge you a lot more if you want to buy electricity.
QLD state rebates and incentives: solar battery storage
Since 1 July 2025, a significant federal battery rebate has been available to Queensland households and small businesses through the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program. The rebate delivers approximately 30% off the upfront cost of an eligible home battery system, applied automatically at point of sale by your accredited installer — no separate application is required.
From 1 May 2026, the program uses a tiered structure. The full STC factor applies to the first 14 kWh of usable capacity, 60% applies between 14 and 28 kWh, and 15% applies between 28 and 50 kWh. At the maximum STC price of $40, that’s worth up to:
- About $272/kWh for the first 14 kWh
- About $163/kWh for 14–28 kWh
- About $41/kWh for 28–50 kWh
For example, a 10 kWh battery would attract a discount of up to about $2,720, though actual discounts are usually a little lower because STCs trade at market prices. The program is funded to an estimated $7.2 billion and runs until 2030. The STC factor now steps down twice a year, falling from 6.8 to 5.7 on 1 January 2027, so the discount for a given battery size will drop at the start of next year.
There are currently no additional QLD state government-level battery rebates on top of this federal program.
While solar batteries are still quite expensive, they offer many benefits beyond a financial return, including:
- Backup power
- Increased solar self-consumption and less dependency on the grid
- Reduced carbon footprint
- Time-of-use bill management
As FiTs continue to fall, more Australians are turning to batteries.
Unleash the potential of solar battery storage! Are you ready to transform the way you power your business or household? Say goodbye to rising electricity costs and unpredictable energy grids. The state-of-the-art solar battery systems empower you to maximise energy efficiency, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying an uninterrupted power supply.
Let us discuss and choose the best quote that suits your needs and budget, and we can connect you with our trusted local installers, who will provide up to 3 FREE quotes for your business solar and home battery system.
Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Rebate
The Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme closed on 2 September 2024 after its $45 million funding was exhausted ahead of schedule. The scheme is no longer available and there is currently no replacement program at the state level.
Queensland EV buyers in 2026 can still benefit from the following remaining incentives:
- Lower stamp duty for hybrid and electric vehicles: $2 per $100 of value up to $100,000, compared with $3 to $4 per $100 for petrol and diesel vehicles
- Concessional stamp duty rates for zero-emission vehicles, applied automatically at point of purchase
- A federal Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for eligible EVs provided through a novated lease arrangement (note: plug-in hybrids are no longer eligible for this exemption from 1 April 2025, unless under a pre-existing lease)
Keep up-to-date on QLD solar rebates and incentives
Both Federal and state governments are subject to reviewing and introducing new rebates and incentives for solar systems and battery storage.
Our dedicated QLD State Information Page will keep you informed of the latest news on everything from rebates and incentives to exclusive special offers and deals through our network of solar partners.
Energy Matters has been a leader in the renewable energy industry since 2005 and has helped over 40,000 Australian households in their journey to energy independence. With Energy Matters, you can be sure you’re getting the best possible deal on solar energy. We only work with reputable solar firms with a proven track record of delivering high-quality solar systems.
Updated June 2026
Sources: Australian Government – Clean Energy Regulator and Queensland Government
