(Including Off-Grid Systems)

Across the world, governments are encouraging households to install solar panels, battery storage, and in some cases, go fully off-grid. Here’s a detailed look at current rebates, incentives, and programs you’ll find around the world in 2025.

Australia

Australia leads with strong national and state programs supporting both grid-tied and off-grid solar.

Federal Incentives

• Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES):
  Eligible solar and battery systems create Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), delivering an upfront discount.
  • A typical 6.6kW solar system might attract $2,400–$3,000 worth of STCs.
  • Off-grid systems fully qualify for STCs, giving rural households the same benefits as grid-connected homes.

State Incentives

• Victoria – Solar Homes Program:
  • Solar panel rebate up to $1,400.
  • Battery rebate up to $3,500.
  • 0% interest loans up to $8,800 for solar and up to $14,000 for batteries.
  • Available for existing homes, new builds, and rental properties under certain conditions.
• NSW – Empowering Homes Program:
  • Up to $14,000 interest-free loans for solar and battery installs in selected postcodes.
• Queensland – Home Energy Upgrades:
  • $3,000 rebate for new solar systems and another $3,000 for battery storage, targeting low- and middle-income households.
• ACT – Sustainable Household Scheme:
  • 0% interest loans up to $15,000 for solar panels, batteries, or combined systems.
• Northern Territory – Solar Energy Transformation Program (SETuP) and Home Battery Scheme (closed 2023):
  • Rebates of up to $6,000 for batteries were available; some interest-free finance options remain through local banks.

Off-Grid Support

• Federal STCs:
  Off-grid systems still claim STCs based on expected generation over 15 years.
• Remote Area Energy Support:
  Some regional councils and programs (e.g., Remote Power Systems Program WA) offer top-ups for truly remote installations.

United States

American homeowners benefit from strong federal tax credits and state-specific programs, many of which support batteries and off-grid systems too.

Federal Incentives

• Investment Tax Credit (ITC):
  • 30% of total installed cost credited back through your tax return.
  • Applies to both solar PV and battery systems (battery must have ≥3kWh capacity).
• Residential Clean Energy Credit (Inflation Reduction Act, 2022):
  • Covers standalone battery storage, even without solar panels, provided 100% renewable charging.

State and Local Programs

• California – Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP):
  • Battery rebate between $150 and $1,000 per kWh installed, depending on household income and grid vulnerability.
• New York – NY-Sun Program:
  • Up to $1,000/kW rebate for solar systems, plus additional $250/kW if paired with batteries.
  • Low-income households qualify for larger rebates under the Affordable Solar Program.
• Massachusetts – SMART Program:
  • Fixed tariff payments for solar energy production, with additional incentives for battery-paired systems.
• Nevada and Maryland:
  Offer separate solar tax credits (e.g., 40% state tax deduction in Nevada up to $10,000).
• Net Metering Policies:
  Offered in over 30 states, though evolving (e.g., California’s NEM 3.0 shifts to time-of-export pricing).

Off-Grid Support

• USDA REAP Grants:
  • Up to 50% funding for renewable energy projects in rural areas, including off-grid homes.
• ITC for Off-Grid Systems:
  • Full 30% tax credit applies to off-grid solar+battery setups.

Europe

European countries tend to favour tax deductions, zero VAT, feed-in tariffs, and battery grants.

Germany

• KfW 270 and 275 Loans:
  • Government-backed low-interest loans for solar PV systems and batteries.
  • Up to 100% of project costs covered under certain conditions.
• VAT Refunds:
  • 0% VAT on new residential solar installations introduced from 2023.
• Self-Consumption Exemptions:
  • No grid surcharges for owners using ≤30kW systems primarily for self-use.

United Kingdom

• Zero VAT:
  Residential solar and battery systems are VAT-free until at least March 2027.
• Smart Export Guarantee (SEG):
  • Requires large electricity suppliers to pay homeowners for excess solar exported back to the grid.
  • Export rates typically range from 5p–10p per kWh.
• Local Council Schemes:
  • Some councils and energy suppliers offer small grants or free assessments.

France

• CITE (Tax Credit for Energy Transition):
  • 15% tax credit on eligible PV costs up to €600, phased out into MaPrimeRénov in some areas.
• Eco-PTZ:
  • Up to €30,000 in zero-interest loans for home solar and battery upgrades.

Italy

• Ecobonus and Superbonus Schemes:
  • 50% deduction (Ecobonus) over 10 years for standard solar+battery installs.
  • The 110% Superbonus expired in 2023, but special local schemes remain.
• Net Metering:
  Offered through “scambio sul posto” with full or partial bill credits.

Spain

• Zero VAT on Solar (since 2022):
  Applies to residential solar panels.
• Plan MOVES III:
  • Provides grants for solar battery installations, especially when integrated with electric vehicles.
• Net Billing:
  Guaranteed payments for exported solar under Royal Decree 244/2019.

Off-Grid Europe

• Nordic Countries (Sweden, Norway):
  Small grants available for off-grid cabins and isolated farmhouses.
• EU Rural Energy Grants:
  Available for very remote agricultural properties.

Asia

Asia offers a mix of government-backed subsidies and net metering schemes.

China

• Green Certificate Market:
  Rooftop solar now mainly monetises by selling green certificates.
• Local Subsidies:
  Some provinces still offer rebates for distributed solar under city-level initiatives.

India

• MNRE Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II:
  • Up to 40% capital subsidy for systems up to 3kW.
  • 20% subsidy for systems between 3–10kW.
• State Top-Ups:
  • Additional rebates (e.g., Delhi Solar Policy offers extra ₹10,000/kW rebate).
• Tax Benefits:
  Section 80EEB of India’s tax code offers income tax deductions for renewable energy loans.

Japan

• Local Subsidies:
  • Grants from prefectures and councils for battery-backed solar systems.
  • V2H incentives available for EV-connected battery storage.

Southeast Asia

• Malaysia – Net Energy Metering (NEM) 3.0:
  • Allows households to export excess solar and receive bill credits.
• Thailand:
  • Net metering with 2–3 baht/kWh export prices capped at certain system sizes.
• Philippines:
  • Net metering policy nationwide since 2013.

Off-Grid Asia

• Bangladesh Solar Home Systems (SHS) Project:
  • Over 4 million off-grid home solar kits installed, backed by IDCOL and World Bank funding.
• India’s DDG Scheme:
  • Decentralised Distributed Generation grants for mini-grid solar and off-grid villages.

Africa and Middle East

Most incentives in these regions target rural electrification and energy access, not mainstream solar rebates.

South Africa

• Net Metering and Feed-in Tariffs:
  • Available in major cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg.
  • Self-generation under 100kW exempt from full licensing.
• Solar Tax Incentives:
  • Mainly aimed at businesses through Section 12B accelerated depreciation.

Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania

• Solar VAT and Duty Exemptions:
  • Most solar panels and batteries are exempt from import taxes.
• Private Microgrid Development:
  • Strong push for private solar mini-grids under donor-funded programs.

UAE and Morocco

• UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi):
  • Residential net metering schemes operational through DEWA and ADDC.
• Morocco:
  • Focus remains on large-scale solar projects, though rooftop pilot programs are expanding.

Off-Grid Africa

• Lighting Africa Program:
  Funded by the World Bank, promoting off-grid solar kits across sub-Saharan Africa.
• SmartVillages:
  An international program supporting mini-grid development and rural electrification.

Global Off-Grid Incentives

Off-grid-specific support includes:

Africa:
Donor-led programs like Lighting Africa drive off-grid adoption across multiple countries.

Australia:
STCs available even for off-grid solar homes.

USA:
USDA REAP grants and 30% ITC support rural off-grid systems.

India and Bangladesh:
Major rural electrification grants support millions of solar home systems.

• Africa:
  Donor-led programs like Lighting Africa drive off-grid adoption across multiple countries.

Solar and Battery Incentives: Which Are the Most Generous (2025)?

Quick Ranking

Off-Grid Incentives (Special Focus)

Summary

• USA currently has the most generous combination of solar and battery incentives, especially for rural and off-grid setups.
• Australia is a strong second, with excellent national and state support and easier access for off-grid installations.
• Italy and Germany lead Europe, though most incentives come through tax deductions rather than upfront cash.
• Spain offers a decent mix with new VAT-free status and battery grants, but not as strong as Australia or the USA.
• Africa and Asia have strong off-grid program support but fewer direct rebates for general households.

Off-Grid Solar Incentive Support (2025)

If you’re planning to go fully off-grid, the best support comes from the USA and Australia.
Both countries offer strong financial incentives, including tax credits, rebates, and grants that apply equally to off-grid homes.
India and Africa also provide substantial backing, mainly through government and donor-funded programs aimed at rural energy access.
In Europe, most incentives focus on grid-connected systems, with very limited formal support for residential off-grid projects.

Choosing the right location — and matching your system to available incentives — can make off-grid living more achievable and affordable than ever before.

If you’re planning to go fully off-grid, the best support comes from the USA and Australia.
Both countries offer strong financial incentives, including tax credits, rebates, and grants that apply equally to off-grid homes.
India and Africa also provide substantial backing, mainly through government and donor-funded programs aimed at rural energy access.
In Europe, most incentives focus on grid-connected systems, with very limited formal support for residential off-grid projects.

Choosing the right location — and matching your system to available incentives — can make off-grid living more achievable and affordable than ever before.