New Solar Victoria Warranty Requirement Kicking In

When the calendar flips over to the new month next week, there’s an added warranty requirement for solar power and hot water systems installed under Victoria’s Solar Homes Program.

What’s Changing With Warranty Requirements?

In addition to any manufacturer warranties, Victorian solar retailers have been required to provide a minimum five-year whole-of-system warranty¹ for all eligible systems installed under the Program for some time. But requirements have been expanded to include labour from September 1, 2025.

“This requirement further strengthens consumer protections while allowing retailers and manufacturers to jointly determine the most appropriate commercial arrangements to provide the required warranty coverage,” said Solar Victoria² in an email update sent out yesterday.

Under the whole-of-system warranty, customers must not be required to pay upfront or hit with any expenses associated with a successful warranty claim, such as:

• Parts or materials.
• Labour costs.
• Related inspections or costs.
• Freight, transport, insurance or custom clearances.
• Disposal of faulty equipment.

Other Warranty Responsibilities (For Owners Too)

Solar retailers are required provide the customer with documentation confirming the terms and conditions of the whole-of-system and product warranties, and who to contact should a system or product fail.

Retailers must also assume responsibility for ensuring components are sourced and installed in a way the warranties are not voided. For example, some panel manufacturers stipulate their panels can’t be installed less than X metres from the coast, and it’s up to the retailer to know and observe this.

But it’s on the consumer to have products serviced in accordance with product manufacturer’s requirements to maintain the warranty. So, before settling on any particular product, it’s wise to check out the fine print for any related (and sometimes ridiculous) servicing conditions.

On that note, whatever warranty conditions are applied by a manufacturer or retailer, it doesn’t trump the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). But having to go down the ACL path for redress is a hassle best avoided — it’s an ounce of prevention vs. a pound of cure situation.

Solar Victoria Compliance Actions

The Agency’s latest email update also mentioned several enforcement actions completed in July.

• There was a reprimand and warning issued for the unsafe work practices of a firm’s outsourced installers, for which the retailer was responsible.
• A 3-month suspension for a business submitting rebate applications on behalf of customers, which can result in rebate claims being denied or recovered.
• An authorised retailer was immediately suspended for engaging in fraudulent activity in the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program.

A summary of enforcement actions over the last few months can be found here.

July A ‘Strong Month’ — Especially For Heat Pumps

Solar Victoria said it saw growth across applications, approvals and installations in July. Heat pump hot water systems were a stand-out performer (again), with demand leading monthly program volumes. Last month was the best July on record for hot water approvals and installations.

Since the program began in 2018 and to the end of July 2025, the installation tallies are:

• 321,059 solar panel systems
• 65,610 solar hot water systems (including heat pumps)
• 20,836 solar battery systems (the loans scheme for batteries ended in May 2025).

What Solar Homes Incentives Are On Offer?

Victoria’s solar panel rebate currently offers up to $1,400 off the cost of a solar power system, and can be claimed along with the national solar rebate.

Rebates of up to $1,000 are available for eligible heat pump and solar hot water products; but if a locally made product is used, the rebate can be up to $1,400. Added to this, a VEU discount can be claimed; worth up to $910 when replacing a conventional resistive electric hot water system, or up to $700 when replacing a gas system.