ACT Solar, Battery and Electrification Rebates Explained (Canberra and ACT)
Why ACT incentives are different
The ACT has a strongtrack record on electrification policy, and the incentive landscape reflects that. Instead of relying only on cash rebates, the ACT has leaned heavily on finance schemes and structured programs that support efficient electric upgrades.
That matters because many of the biggest barriers to electrification are upfront cost and decision complexity. A well-designed loan scheme can remove friction without encouraging rushed purchases.
Important note before you plan around incentives
Incentive rules change. Eligibility can depend on household circumstances, property type, and the specific product being installed.
The safest approach is to treat any article like this as a starting point. Before you sign a contract, confirm the current rules on the official ACT program pages and check how they apply to your situation.
The core ACT program: Sustainable Household Scheme (SHS)
The Sustainable Household Scheme is one of the most visible ACT programs. It is designed to help eligible households finance energy upgrades with a low-interest loan structure.
As of early 2026, the scheme is commonly described as offering loans capped at a fixed maximum and set at a published interest rate for new loans. Eligibility and the list of approved products are defined in the scheme guidelines, and those details are worth checking before you commit.
Sustainable Household Scheme: what’s on offer (as of February 2026)
At the time of writing (Feb 2026), the Sustainable Household Scheme is widely described as a low-interest loan program for eligible ACT households, with loans offered within a set range and capped at a maximum amount. The published interest rate for new loans is stated in the program information, and the loan term can vary depending on the scheme rules.
One detail that catches people out is that the scheme settings have changed over time. For example, the ACT has publicly noted changes that took effect from 1 July 2025, including an interest rate applying to new loans and changes to whether solar panels are eligible under the scheme for many households.
Because these settings can change, treat the published ACT guidelines as the source of truth when you are ready to apply.
Loan vs rebate: why the wording matters
A rebate reduces the purchase price with money you do not repay. A loan spreads the cost over time, which can still be helpful, but it is a different financial decision.
In the ACT, many of the best-known programs sit in the “low-interest finance” category. That can still be a big deal for households that want to electrify without paying everything upfront, but it is worth being clear about repayments before you commit.
What types of upgrades are commonly supported
Programs and eligible product lists can change, but ACT support has typically focused on the upgrades that make the biggest difference to electrification and energy use, such as:
· Home battery storage
· Heat pump hot water systems
· Efficient heating and cooling (reverse-cycle airconditioning)
· EV chargers
· Other efficiency-focused electrical upgrades where eligible
If you are planning a whole-home pathway, these categories matter because they stack together. Solar helps produce energy. Batteries help shift it. Efficient appliances reduce the amount you need in the first place.
A practical pathway: solar first, then storage and electrification
For many ACThouseholds, the most practical pathway is staged.
1. Install solar first if the roof is suitable and you have daytime usage you can cover.
2. Add a battery when export limits, tariffs, and household usage make storage useful.
3. Tackle electrification upgrades like heat pump hotwater and heating or cooling as appliances reach end of life, or sooner if your household goals justify it.
This staged approach reduces risk. It also lets you use real data from your home to size the next upgrade properly.
Concession households and additional support pathways
The ACT has also referenced separate support pathways for concession card holders, including access to different loan conditions and, in some cases, access to solar funding outside the standard Sustainable Household Scheme settings.
If you hold a concession card, it is worth checking whether you are better served by a concession-focused program rather than the standard pathway. The rules can be more favourable, but eligibility and product lists still apply.
A key change to be aware of: solar eligibility can differ
ACT programs sometimes separate solar PV from other upgrades. For example, the Sustainable Household Scheme guidelines have changed over time, including changes to whether solar panels are eligible under the scheme for different household types.
If solar PV funding is important to your plan, confirm whether solar is currently eligible for you, and whether concession card status or other criteria change that outcome.
Brighte and ACT loans: what “loan partner” means in practice
In the ACT, Brighte is commonly referenced as a delivery partner for Sustainable Household Scheme loans. Practically, this means Brighte handles the loan application process, approvals, and repayments under the scheme rules and lending criteria.
For homeowners, the key takeaway is that there are usually two parts to eligibility:
· ACT program eligibility rules (set by the ACT Government and scheme guidelines)
· Lender criteria (assessed as part of the loan application)
A good installer can help you with quotes and technical choices, but the lender will still assess the application under their criteria.
Workshops and information sessions: not a box-tick exercise
Some ACT programs require an information session or workshop before you can access finance. It can feel like extra admin, but it is often useful if you treat it as part of your design process.
A good workshop outcome is clarity on what upgrade will actually reduce your grid imports. For many households, the best first move is not the fanciest technology. It is the upgrade that matches your daily usage pattern.
How the process usually works (high level)
While details canvary, the typical flow looks like this:
1. Confirm you meet the program eligibility requirements.
2. Attend any required information session or workshop if the scheme requires it.
3. Get an itemised quote for an eligible upgrade from a qualified provider.
4. Apply for the loan through the scheme’s delivery partner.
5. Once approved, proceed with installation and keep all documentation.
The order matters. If you install first and apply later, you may miss eligibility. Always confirm the required process before you commit.
How ACT incentives interact with federal STCs
If you are installing solar in the ACT, federal STCs commonly apply as an upfront discount for eligible systems. ACT programs then sit on top, often supporting batteries and electrification rather than duplicating the federal solar incentive.
This is why a whole-plan approach works well. You can design solar and storage together, then use ACT support to fund parts of the upgrade pathway where it delivers the most value.
Townhouses and apartments: what can be harder in the ACT
Multi-unit dwellings can still benefit from solar, batteries, and EV charging, but the decision process is often slower because of shared ownership and approvals.
· Strata approvals and common property rules can limit equipment placement.
· Metering and billing arrangements can affect how benefits are shared.
· Switchboard and feeder upgrades may be required for EV charging.
If you live in a townhouse complex or apartment building, early conversations with the owners corporation can save months. It is also worth getting advice on what istechnically possible before trying to align everyone around a specific product.
Common mistakes that slow approvals or cause headaches
· Signing contracts or paying deposits before confirming eligibility and required steps.
· Assuming a product is eligible without checking the approved list or current guidelines.
· Getting vague quotes that do not itemise the eligible components clearly.
· Not planning switchboard upgrades early, then discovering extra work is required.
A little upfront admin can save weeks of frustration later.
Canberra-specific design considerations
Canberra’s winters can be cold, and many households rely on heating. If your home uses reverse-cycle air conditioning for heating, winter electricity consumption can rise while solar generation drops due to shorter days.
This is why ACT households often benefit from a design process that models a typical winter week, not just summer output. It also makes efficiency upgrades like draught sealing and heat pump hot water more valuable because they reduce the total energy needed.
Batteries, VPPs and ACT households
If you install a battery, you may also have the option to join a VPP depending on what programs are available at the time. VPP participation can add a revenue layer, but it can also affect how much stored energy you have available when you need it.
If your priority is backup power, discuss how reserves are handled and whether participation can be limited or opt-out. Not every household wants the same battery behaviour.
Where to focus for the best long-term outcome
The ACT incentive landscape is most helpful when it supports a design-led plan. The best outcomes usually come from:
· Right-sizing solar to your roof, tariff, and usage profile
· Choosing battery capacity based on evening imports and export limits
· Prioritising high-impact electrification upgrades such as heat pump hot water
· Improving efficiency first so you need less energy overall
Incentives should make good decisions easier, not push you into rushed or oversized systems.
ACT incentives FAQs
These are the questions we hear most often from Canberra homeowners.
Is there an ACT solar rebate?
ACT support has included different programs over time, and the most common support people talk about today is finance through schemes like the Sustainable Household Scheme. Whether solar panels are eligible under a given program can change, so check the current guidelines for your household type.
Is the Sustainable Household Scheme arebate?
No. It is a loanprogram. It can still help with upfront cost, but you repay the amount borrowed under the loan terms.
Is Brighte the installer?
No. Brighte is a loan delivery partner for the scheme. Installers provide quotes and do the installation work, while the loan application and lending criteria are handled through the finance partner.
Can I combine ACT support with federal STCs?
Often yes, where applicable. STCs are typically applied as an upfront discount on eligible solar systems, and ACT programs may support other upgrades like batteries, EV chargers, or heat pumps. The exact combination depends on current rules and eligibility.
Do I need a switchboard upgrade?
Sometimes. Older homes may need upgrades to safely support solar, batteries, EV charging, orelectrification. A proper site inspection should flag this early so it can beincluded in planning and budgeting.
Bottom line
The ACT offers meaningful support for electrification, often through structured finance rather than simple cash rebates. If you approach it as a staged plan, you can makesolar, batteries, EV charging, and efficient appliances work together.
Before you sign any contract, confirm current scheme rules and eligible product lists. That one step protects your budget and keeps your upgrade pathway smooth.
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