Last updated October 2025
There’s a lot to love about NSW; beautiful beaches, iconic destinations, and the incredible sunny weather that makes it ideal for solar!
If you’re planning on getting solar in NSW, you need targeted info. That’s why we’re making it super easy for you to learn about the various solar rebates in NSW.
On this page we cover:
- All the State Government solar rebates NSW has on offer
- The Federal Gov STC incentive
- NSW solar feed-in tariffs
It’s all the info you need to snap up every available solar rebate in NSW, so you get a winning deal on your system!
State Government Solar Rebates in NSW
Solar for Apartment Residents Grant
The NSW Government offers 50% funding (up to $150,000) for owners corporations to install shared solar systems on apartment buildings.
Who applies: Owners corporation
Who benefits: Residents in the building share the solar savings.
Key details:
Available for apartment buildings across NSW.
Covers 50% of the installation cost.
The system must be installed by an approved installer after application approval.
Energy Savings Scheme (ESS)
The Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) helps NSW households and businesses cut their energy use by providing financial incentives for energy-efficient upgrades.
The program rewards the installation of eligible energy-efficient equipment, such as:
Heating and cooling systems (e.g. reverse-cycle air conditioners)
Hot water systems, especially heat pump and solar options
Lighting upgrades
Other approved appliances that reduce electricity consumption
Rather than applying for a rebate yourself, the savings are applied as an upfront discount by an accredited provider at the time of purchase or installation.
The amount you save depends on the type of product installed and how much energy it helps you save. The scheme is ongoing and available across NSW, with many local suppliers participating.
Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS)
The Peak Demand Reduction Scheme rewards households and businesses that help reduce electricity use during high-demand periods.
See our dedicated page on NSW battery incentives for all the details.
Federal Government Solar Incentive - STCs in NSW
State solar rebates are great, but in NSW they’re very targeted and aren’t available to everyone.
The main solar rebate for NSW homeowners shopping around for a system for their home is still the Federal Government STC incentive.
You may have heard this referred to as the ‘STC rebate’, but it’s really an incentive. Either way, it delivers a huge upfront discount to those installing solar in NSW.
The size of your system, the year you install and which of the 4 ‘STC zones’ you live in all affect how much you receive from this solar rebate. NSW mostly falls under zone 3.
Here is an example of the STC solar rebate you could expect if you live in or around Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour or Byron Bay:
Solar Battery Rebates for NSW
Read our dedicated Battery Rebates page for NSW to get all the latest info on available battery rebates & incentives in your area and find out how much you could save.
Solar Rebates NSW – STC Calculator
Want to work out your federal solar rebate in NSW? Try our Solar Calculator.
Just enter in your postcode to know:
- Estimated STC discount
- Predicted payback period
- Savings on your electricity bill with solar
NSW Solar Feed-in Tariffs
While it’s not a solar rebate, NSW homeowners can also receive feed-in tariffs (FiTs) to pump up their solar savings.
A FiT is a credit you receive on your bill from your electricity retailer in exchange for any excess solar energy fed back onto the grid.
In NSW, your FiT rate is set by your electricity retailer and can range from anywhere between $0.00 per kWh all the way up to $0.22 per kWh.
Current NSW solar feed-in tariffs are in the table below (double check each retailer’s website for specific T&Cs) or check out our main FiT page for even more info:
| RETAILER | MIN FiT | MAX FiT | * NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actew AGL | 4.0 | 8.0c* | *Battery Saver plan rate |
| Amber Electric | No Fixed Amount | No Fixed Amount | |
| CovaU Energy | 5.5c | 5.5c | |
| Discover Energy | 0.01c | 0.3c | |
| Energy Australia | 4.0c | 8.0c | |
| Energy Locals | 0c | 15c* | *Standing offer plan **Time-varying FIT Peak rate for member plans – between 4pm and 9pm only |
| Origin Energy | 5.0c | 10c* | *For high-exporting solar customers with an existing solar system on the Origin Solar Boost plan |
| Red Energy | 4.0c | 4.0c |
| RETAILER | MIN FiT | MAX FiT | * NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Energy | 1.0c | 1.0c | |
| AGL | 3.0c | 10.0c | *High feed-in tariff is capped to the first 10kWh exported per day |
| Alinta Energy | 4.0c | 10.0c* | *High feed-in tariff is capped to the first 10kWh exported per day |
| Amber Electric | No Fixed Amount | No Fixed Amount | |
| CovaU Energy | 5.5c | 5.5c | |
| Diamond Energy | 0.0c | 3.0c | |
| Discover Energy | 0.01c | 0.3c | |
| Dodo | 1.0c | 1.0c | |
| Energy Australia | 4.0c | 8.0c* | *High feed-in tariff is capped to the first 12kWh exported per day |
| Energy Locals | 0.0c* | 15.0c** | *Standing offer plan **Time-varying FIT Peak rate for member plans – between 4pm and 9pm only |
| ENGIE | 3.0c | 10.0c | |
| Ergon Energy | 8.7c | 8.7c | |
| Future X Power | 4.0c | 4.0c | |
| GEE Energy | 0.0c | 13.0c | |
| GloBird Energy | 0.0c | 10.0c* | *High feed-in tariff is capped to the first 8kWh exported per day. 3c thereafter |
| Kogan Energy | 0.0c | 0.5c | |
| Momentum Energy | 0.0c | 2.9c | |
| Nectr | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
| Origin Energy | 3.0c | 8.0c* | *For high-exporting solar customers with an existing solar system on the Origin Solar Boost plan |
| OVO Energy | 0.0c | 2.70c | |
| Powershop | 0.0c | 0.50c | |
| Red Energy | 1.0c | 5.0c | |
| Sumo | 0.0c | 8.8c* | *Higher feed-in tariff for the Sumo – Local plan only |
| Tango Energy | 0.0c | 0.0c |
| RETAILER | MIN FiT | MAX FiT | *NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Energy | 0.1c | 1.0c | |
| ActewAGL | 4.40c | 8.0c* | *Battery Saver plan rate |
| AGL | 4.0c | 8.0c* | *Higher feed-in tariff is limited to 10c for the first 10kWh/day |
| Alinta Energy | 5.0c | 10.0c* | *Higher feed-in tariff is limited to 10c for the first 10kWh/day |
| Amber Electric | No Fixed Amount | No Fixed Amount | |
| CovaU Energy | 5.5c | 5.5c | |
| Diamond Energy | 0.0c | 3.0c | |
| Discover Energy | 0.03c | 0.30c | |
| Dodo | 1.0c | 1.0c | |
| Energy Australia | 4.0c | 8.0c* | *Higher feed-in tariff is limited to 10kWh/day |
| Energy Locals | 0.0c* | 15.0c** | *Standing offer plan **Time-varying FIT Peak rate for member plans – between 4pm and 9pm only |
| ENGIE | 5.5c | 11.0c | |
| Future X Power | 4.0c | 4.0c | |
| GloBird Energy | 0.0c | 10.0c* | *Higher feed-in tariff is limited to 8kWh/day, 3c/kWh thereafter |
| Kogan Energy | 0.0c | 0.5c | |
| Momentum Energy | 0.0c | 5.0c | |
| Nectr | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
| Origin Energy | 3.0c | 8.0c* | *For customers who install solar with Origin Preferred Partners |
| OVO Energy | 0.0c | 2.80c | |
| Powershop | 0.0c | 0.50c | |
| Red Energy | 2.1c | 17.3c* | *Rate varies based on your electricity distributor & your plan – see Red Energy website for details. |
| Sumo | 0.0c | 8.8c* | *Higher feed-in tariff for the Sumo – Local plan only |
| Tango Energy | 0.0c | 0.0c |
| RETAILER | MIN FiT | MAX FiT | *NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacana Energy | 9.33c | 9.33c | |
| Rimfire Energy | 11.0c | 11.0c |
| RETAILER | MIN FiT | MAX FiT | *NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Energy | 0.1c | 1.0c | |
| AGL | 2.0c | 8.0c* | *Higher feed-in tariff limited to first 10kWh/day |
| Alinta Energy | 3.0c | 9.0c* | *Higher feed-in tariff is limited to first 10kWh/day |
| Amber Electric | No Fixed Amount | No Fixed Amount | |
| CovaU Energy | 0.0c | 5.5c | |
| Diamond Energy | 0.0c | 3.0c | |
| Discover Energy | 0.1c | 0.3c | |
| Dodo | 1.0c | 1.0c | |
| Energy Australia | 3.0c | 8.0c* | *High feed-in tariff is capped to the first 10kWh exported per day |
| Energy Locals | 0.0c* | 15.0c** | *Standing offer plan **Time-varying FIT Peak rate for member plans – between 4pm and 9pm only |
| ENGIE | 4.0c | 10.0c | |
| Future X Power | 4.0c | 4.0c | |
| GloBird Energy | 0.0c | 10.0c* | *Time-varying FIT: 10 cents/kWh applies to exports between 5pm-9pm (Local Time) everyday. |
| IO Energy | 0.0c | 30.0c* | * Time-varying feed-in tariffs – FIT is 30c from 6pm-9pm only |
| Kogan Energy | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
| Lumo Energy | 1.0c | 2.0c | |
| Momentum Energy | 0.0c | 2.5c | |
| Nectr | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
| Origin Energy | 2.0c | 8.0c* | *For eligible customers with an existing solar system on the Origin Go Solar Variable plan |
| OVO Energy | 0.0c | 1.50c | |
| Powershop | 0.0c | 0.50c | |
| Red Energy | 2.0c | 2.0c | |
| Sumo | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
| Tango Energy | 0.0c | 0.0c |
| RETAILER | MIN FiT | MAX FiT | *NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Energy | 8.8c | 8.8c | |
| Aurora Energy | 8.78c | 8.78c | |
| CovaU Energy | 8.9c | 8.9c | |
| Energy Locals | 8.80c | 8.80c |
| RETAILER | MIN FiT | MAX FiT | *NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Energy | 0.50c | 0.50c | |
| AGL | 1.5c | 8.0c* | *Higher feed-in tariff for the first 10kWh/day |
| Alinta Energy | 0.04c | 0.7c* | *Higher feed-in tariff for the first 10kWh/day |
| Amber Electric | No Fixed Amount | No Fixed Amount | |
| CovaU Energy | 4.9c | 4.9c | |
| Diamond Energy | 0.0c | 3.0c | |
| Discover Energy | 0.033c | 0.22c | |
| Dodo | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
| Energy Australia | 1.5c | 8.0c* | *High feed-in tariff is capped to the first 10kWh exported per day |
| Energy Locals | 0.0c* | 12.0c** | *Standing offer plan **Time-varying FIT Peak rate for member plans – between 4pm and 9pm only |
| ENGIE | 1.0c | 11.0c | |
| GloBird Energy | 0.0c | 0.0c | |
| Kogan Energy | 0.5c | 0.5c | |
| Lumo Energy | 1.0c | 1.0c | |
| Momentum Energy | 0.0c | 1.1c | |
| Nectr | 1.0c | 1.0c | |
| Origin Energy | 1.0c | 5.0c* | *For high-exporting solar customers with an existing solar system on the Origin Solar Boost plan |
| OVO Energy | 0.0c | 1.0c | |
| Powershop | 0.50c | 0.50c | |
| Red Energy | 0.0c | 1.0c | |
| Sumo | 1.0c | 1.0c | |
| Tango Energy | 0.0c | 0.0c |
| RETAILER | MIN FiT | MAX FiT | *NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Power | 3.0c | 10.0c* | *Exports between 3pm and 9pm have an FiT of 10c; exports at other times earn 3c (for low cost towns. Rates are higher in medium‑ and high-cost zones) |
| Synergy | 2.0c | 10.0c* | *Exports between 3pm and 9pm have a FiT of 10c; exports at other times earn 2c |
Feed-in tariff rates are ‘cents per kWh exported’
While it’s important to maximise your solar rebate, NSW homeowners wanting long term returns need an electricity deal with a FiT that will work for them.
Energy Market lets you compare electricity plans with FiTs online, and switch in minutes. It’s a dead easy way to make the most of the solar energy you export.
FAQs
Is the Government offering free solar panels in NSW?
Yes! If you’re currently a recipient of the Low Income Household Rebate you might be eligible to receive a free 3kW solar system for your home, courtesy of the NSW Government. Jump up to our main Rebate Swap for Solar and Energy Efficient Upgrades section to find out more about this generous solar rebate in NSW.
How much is the Federal solar rebate in NSW?
The Federal solar rebate in NSW will vary depending on your ‘zone’ location, the size of your solar system, when your system was installed and the value of STCs at that point in time. You can easily calculate how big your solar rebate will be using our Solar Calculator.
What are the current solar rebates in NSW?
Luckily for NSW residents, there are a few rebates available to reduce the cost of solar panels in NSW. These include the Rebate Swap for Solar and Energy Efficient Upgrades, Federal Government STC incentive , as well as the Upgrade Your Hot Water System rebate.
How do I apply for solar rebates in NSW?
The Federal STC solar panel rebate in NSW is applied when you install your solar system, as long as you get your system through a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited installer who meets Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (CER) requirements. Most installers will include this upfront discount into your solar quote and handle all the paperwork for you – phew!
To access the Rebate Swap for Solar and Energy Efficient Upgrades, residents can apply through the dedicated rebate NSW government website here.
If you’d like to make the most of the ‘Upgrade Your Hot Water System’ rebate, you will need to ensure you go through an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACPs). For a full list of ACPs, check the website here.
Why do I need a smart meter when I buy solar panels in NSW?
When you get solar panels in NSW you’re going to need to replace your traditional meter with a smart meter.
This is because your solar system both imports and exports electricity from the grid.
Quick, Lock In Your Solar Rebate! NSW Solar Installers Are Ready to Help Plan Your Solar System Right Now.
Now that you’re up to speed on solar rebates in NSW, it’s time to talk to an installer about getting your system!
Request 3 quotes from SAA accredited installers now and compare offers.
Rebates can save you heaps, but so does shopping around, so get to it!
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