BREAKING: VIC’s Battery Loan Is Ending – And No One’s Talking About It
KEY POINTS
VIC’s $8,800 interest-free battery loan ends 30 June 2025 – confirmed in the state budget, not yet announced by Solar Victoria.
Only 1,000 loans remain – e.g., a $15.5K battery could cost you just $6.7K upfront.
Federal STC rebate starts 1 July 2025, offering ~$344/kWh back – but only after full upfront payment.
It’s decision time: grab the loan now for low upfront, or wait for the rebate if you’ve got the cash to front.
Victorian homeowners, we’ve got a live one!
You’ve probably heard whispers about battery incentives, interest-free loans, and a new federal scheme that’s just around the corner. But here’s what you haven’t heard – because even Solar Victoria hasn’t said it yet.
The $8,800 interest-free solar battery loan program that’s been helping thousands of households install game-changing battery systems? It’s ending.
Not next year. Not “sometime soon”.
It ends 30 June 2025.
This isn’t just a rumour. It’s right there – plain as day – buried on page 192 of the Victorian Government’s 2025/26 State Budget document:
See it yourself here
What This Means for You
This loan has been a game-changer. It’s interest-free, means-tested, and lets eligible homeowners take $8,800 off their battery install, repaying the rest over four years. For example:
A 16kWh Sigenery SigenStor system runs around $15,500.
With the loan, you only pay $6,700 upfront.
The rest? Just $183.34/month, interest-free, over 48 months.
That setup has made premium batteries actually affordable – no longer just for early adopters or cashed-up techheads.
But now you’ve got a decision to make. Because on 1 July 2025, a new player steps onto the field: the Federal Battery STC Rebate.
The Federal STC Rebate: Good, But Not for Everyone
The federal rebate is no slouch. It offers:
9.3 STCs per kWh of storage installed (from 5kWh to 50kWh, you can have up to 100kWh of storage but they’ll only do STCs for
That’s roughly $344.10 per kWh in 2025 (based on $37 per STC)
Up to $17,205 back on a 50kWh system
But: You pay the full cost upfront and wait 6–8 weeks for reimbursement
And here’s the fine print:
The rebate starts 1 July 2025
STC value drops every year until the program ends in 2030
Your system must be Clean Energy Council listed, VPP-capable (if on-grid), and installed by accredited professionals
It’s solid. Especially if you can swing the upfront cost. But it’s not as budget-friendly in the short term.
Two Roads, One Shot
Here’s the crossroads:
Option A: The Solar Victoria Loan (Ends 30 June)
Pay less upfront
Lock in fixed monthly payments
Means tested
Only 1,000 loans left at time of writing (23/05/2025)
Option B: The STC Rebate (Starts 1 July)
Bigger potential rebate if you’ve got upfront cash
Not means tested
Rebate value shrinks yearly until 2030
Which route fits your household better depends on your finances and how fast you want to move. But let’s be clear:
If you want the loan, the clock is ticking. Fast.
Our Take: Don't Sleep on This
At Lightning Energy, we’re not here to sugar-coat or wait for press releases.
We dig. We uncover. We front up with real answers. That’s why you’re hearing this from us first.
This isn’t a promo play – it’s your chance to own your power before the rules change. Don’t let government silence cost you thousands.
If you’ve been on the fence, it’s time to stake your claim. Lock in the loan, lighten the drain on your wallet, and future-proof your energy while you still can.
Need help running the numbers? Want to check eligibility?
We’ve got your back. And we’ve got the boots on the ground to make it happen.
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Written By:
Luke Cove
Managing Director
Lightning Solar & Electrical
