Energy News, Rebates & Concession, Solar & Renewables
Supercharged Solar for Renters Program: What To Expect
With funds allocated towards the new solar scheme, here’s everything you need to know.
- What Answers You’ll Get On This Page
Important Points
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Queensland’s 2025-26 State Budget confirmed $26 million in funding for the new Supercharged Solar for Renters program, which is a rebate scheme offering landlords up to $3,500 to install solar panels on rental properties.
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Around 6,500 homes are expected to benefit over the next three years.
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Rebates will be available to eligible rental properties in Queensland with existing tenancy agreements.
The Supercharged Solar for Renters program is a massive step towards making solar more accessible outside of homeownership. With just a few months to go, tenants and landlords should start planning ahead now to maximise the financial benefits of the program.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming program, including the driving force behind it, when to expect the rebates, who is eligible, and more.
Program at a Glance
Who’s Eligible?
To be eligible for the Supercharged Solar for Renters rebate:
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The property must be rented with a current tenancy agreement in place at the time of application.
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It must be located in Queensland. Only rental homes within the state are eligible to apply.
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The solar system must meet program requirements, including panel size, performance standards, and safety specifications (to be confirmed closer to launch).
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Installation must be done by an approved provider; only accredited installers listed under the program will be accepted.
Several important details are yet to be finalised, including:
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Eligibility caps and system size limits
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Approved solar components and installer standards
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Whether landlords can adjust rent, and by how much
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Application process timings and requirements
More detailed eligibility guidelines and how to apply will be released ahead of the official rollout.
2What Other States Offer a Solar Program for Renters?
State | Renter-Specific Scheme? | How It Works |
|---|---|---|
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NSW |
Yes. (SoAR grant) |
Strata-managed shared solar on apartments, grant through strata body |
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VIC |
Yes. (Solar Homes rental rebate) |
Landlord rebate/loan; requires landlord-tenant agreement |
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SA |
No. Indirect/community approaches |
Pilots like social housing VPPs and landlord-tenant billing models |
|
ACT |
No. |
No current solar rebate available for renters/landlords |
What’s Driving the Program?
The most urgent driver is financial.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that energy bills remain one of the biggest stressors for Aussies, especially with the recent July price hike already in place. Renters, in particular, have traditionally had little control over their electricity costs, with little to no authority to install a functional solar system and often limited input into the types of appliances used in their homes.
Expert Tip
When this program comes into effect, eligible renters could save up to $700 annually¹, without having to change properties or negotiate complicated lease add-ons.
Building on a Proven Pilot
Queensland had previous attempts to build on a program that helped renters.
Formerly rolled out as a 2019-2020 pilot for solar rebates in Bundaberg, Townsville, and Gladstone, the trial ended up being a success, with approximately 670 landlords participating and tenants reporting yearly savings of about $600. Because of this initiative, policymakers pushed towards a concrete model to scale, now reaching up to 6,500 homes across the state.
Bridging the Energy Equity Gap
At the heart of the program is a long-overdue effort to address and fix the “split incentive” issue that renters currently have: landlords cover upgrade costs, but tenants benefit from the lower bills.
This has left millions of renters essentially locked out of the rooftop solar boom that’s swept across the market for the last decade or so. By offering a rebate to help quell this gap, Queensland hopes to make solar upgrades attractive enough for landlords.
Landlord-Friendly Incentives
Another important factor is how the program appeals to landlords.
While renters benefit from potentially lower bills, landlords could receive an upgrade in property value.
The rebate, as it currently stands, covers a large portion of system installation costs, making it a financially smart move that could benefit both renters and landlords. With rental demand high across Australia as a whole, landlords will now have an extra incentive to stand out in a saturated market with fully-functioning solar panel systems.
Political and Community Momentum
The scheme also arrives amid growing political pressure to improve housing affordability and environmental outcomes in tandem.
The program was first floated as part of a 2024 election commitment and quickly gained traction thanks to support from clean energy advocates like Solar Citizens and the Queensland Conservation Council.
The strong backing from both budget planners and the public has helped fast-track its inclusion in the 2025-26 Budget.
4What Comes Next?
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Program rollout expected later in 2025, official guidelines and installer panels to follow.
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Landlords should start talking to accredited solar installers now.
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Renters can raise the idea with property owners or property managers.
Author
Benjamin TomBenjamin is a utility specialist passionate about creating informative content about the energy, internet, and solar markets. With extensive experience in the telecommunications industry, Benjamin drives our unique blog posts, articles, and reviews. He is focused on breaking down the technical jargon so our readers can better understand the telco market and industry. Whether he is comparing the latest internet deals or creating unique guides, Benjamin takes great pride in creating helpful, easy-to-read content.
Sources:
¹Supercharged Solar for Renters, Queensland Government, https://www.energyandclimate.qld.gov.au/energy/save-money-on-energy/supercharged-solar-for-renters-program
