Rebates

Here is a list of the current government rebates & incentives;

Solar PV Grid Connection
Solar Hot Water
Insulation
Rainwater Tanks

Solar PV Rebates

Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme

The Queensland Government introduced a solar bonus scheme which is available to Queenlanders in the form of a feed in tariff of 44c kWh for power exported to the grid. 

This means any power that you produce but are not currently using, you can sell back to your energy provider at nearly two times the regular purchase price (ie. 18c - 19c kWh).

click here > QLD solar bonus scheme information

Solar Homes plan- Residential (PVRP) - Only applies to pre approved customers as the program ended on July 9.

If the combined taxable income of you and your spouse is less than $100,000 you may well be eligible for the Solar Homes rebate.

The Australian Government gives cash rebates to eligible households when a grid connect PV system is installed.

Under this rebate program, households that have installed 450 watts - 1kW system can get up to $8,000 back; which is based on $8 per watt capped at 1kW. Households can also apply for a rebate when upgrading an existing PV system to 1kW; they get $5000; which is $5 per watt, capped at 1kW.

This rebate is offered as a point of sale discount via Ecovation when you purchase your system. A new Solar Credits Program will be launched on 1 July 2009 replacing the existing Solar Homes & Communities Rebate Program and the good news is that this won’t be means tested however it is forecasted to be less than what is currently available.

Solar Credits Program

On 17 December 2008 the Minister for the Environment, Mr Peter Garrett announced commencing July 1 2009, the new solar credits program will replace the current $8,000 Solar Homes and Communities Program rebate which will end on June 30, 2009.

Applicants are forecasted to recieve a credit up to $7,500 for a maximum 1.5kW solar energy and wind power system.

The Solar Credits Scheme will be calculated using a 5X multiplication factor that will be applied to the current Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) formula which currently generates around 30 certificates for 1.5kW system.

While the program is still being finalised, the initial information offers some good news for households with a combined household income over $100,000 P.A with the relaxation of the income means test no longer applying.

Therefore, homeowners earning over $100K who currently don't qualify will be eligible to claim the Solar Credits rebate...

however,

the bad news is that based on current pricing, the scheme will have a shortfall around $4,000 for a 1kW system and approxamately $2,000 less than what would be possible for 1.5kW system.

So if you do qualify NOW, we strongly recommend you make a start on ordering a system TODAY to get the maximum financial benefit before the rush!

click here > see our current packages

click here > Govt media relaease on Solar Credits Program

Solar Schools Program

The Australian Government aims to make every Australian primary and secondary school a solar school by 2015. To reach this goal grants of up to $50,000 (GST exclusive) are available to install solar power systems, rainwater tanks and a range of energy efficiency measures in primary and secondary schools around the country.

click here > Solar schools information page

Grants for Community Buildings

The Australian Government gives cash rebates to community buildings when a grid connect PV system is installed. Under this rebate program, eligible organisations can get 50% of the system cost back which is capped at 2kW. Additional rebates may also apply. The grants are given on a competitive basis which means that applications are assessed on value for money and on the educational and interpretive merits of the proposal.

click here > Community buildings rebate application forms

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

RECs are available when complete solar hot water and heaters are installed or when renewable energy is produced say by a photovoltaic system, micro-hydro or wind system. To receive RECs there are certain conditions that need to be fullfilled. The price of certificates vary. RECs are traded in for money.

RECs are released by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator which initially was created to ensure  that the Australian Government meets its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET).

click here > REC Re Assignment Form Solar PV

click here > REC Re Assignment Form Solar Hot Water

Solar Hot Water Rebates

The Australian Government is providing a rebate of $1,600 to help eligible home-owners, landlords or tenants replace their electric hot water systems with solar or heat pump hot water systems. This offer is part of the Government's $3.9 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package and it came into effect on 3 February 2009.

Full details of eligibility are provided in the Solar Hot Water Rebate guidelines.

click here > Solar Hot Water Rebate guidelines & application form

click here > see our current solar hot water packages

click here > for a full list of the eligibility criteria

NSW Residential Hot Water Rebate

The $100 million Residential Rebate Program is part of the NSW Government's Climate Change Fund, established to help people make their homes more water and energy efficient. It provides rebates for rainwater tanks, climate-friendly hot water systems, ceiling insulation and water-efficient washing machines.

Up to $1200 for a solar or heat pump hot water systems eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) under the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET).

The rebate for solar and heat pump hot water systems is based on the amount of greenhouse gas emissions saved, determined by the eligibility of your system for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

click here > fulllist of eligibility criteria
click here > Application Form

Insulation Rebate

The Australian Government's Energy Efficient Homes Package is a $3.9 billion package to improve the energy rating of Australian homes - cutting their energy waste, making them more comfortable and helping households save up to 40 per cent on their electricity bills.

Under this program the Australian Government is offering:

• free ceiling insulation worth up to $1,600 to all Australian home owner-occupiers with limited or no ceiling insulation
• or a $1,600 rebate on the costs of installing a solar hot water system

• help for renters, with a rebate for landlords and tenants on the costs of insulating rental properties.

click here > early installation guidelines
click here > Insulation Rebate Application Form

Rainwater Tank & Greywater Rebate

As part of the $12.9 billion Water for the Future plan, the Government is delivering the $250 million National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative to help people use water wisely in their everyday lives.

The Australian Government is providing:

• Rebates of up to $500 for households to install The purchase and installation of a new rainwater tank which is connected for internal reuse of the water for toilet and/or laundry use; or
• The purchase and installation of a permanent greywater treatment system.
• Grants to surf life saving clubs of up to $10,000 to install a rainwater tank or undertake a larger water saving project.

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