Here is a list of the current government rebates & incentives;
Australian Solar Credits Scheme (SCS)
Solar Credits have now replaced the Solar Homes and Communities Plan as the government’s primary means of supporting the installation of household solar power systems. Home owners with incomes greater than $100,000 per year, businesses, developers and a whole range of applicants, previously ineligible under the SHCP rebate system, will now be eligible for a solar power rebate in the form of the Solar Credits Scheme (SCS).
No means test is applied under the SCS. The Australian Government has committed to achieve a 20 per cent share of renewable energy in Australia’s electricity supply by 2020. As part of the government’s commitment to an expanded Renewable Energy Target (RET), purchasers of eligible small generation units, such as roof top solar systems, will receive Solar Credits to assist with the cost of installing the systems.
Rooftop solar systems generate solar credits, the number of these solar credits received will be multiplied by five for the initial 1.5kW of a solar power system, enabling householders an increased return from their solar power investment. After the initial 1.5kW the solar credits are generated at the unmultiplied rate. What this all means in dollar terms is that you can expect the following rebates;
1.48kW system – 30 SCS x 5 = 105 x $36 (Current credit value*) = $3150 rebate
1.48kW Trina solar system cost; $9300 less $5400 rebate = $3900 fully installed
2.035kW system – 31 SCS x 5 = 155 x $36 (Current credit value*) = $5580
Plus 11 credits at an un-multiplied rate (above 1.5kW) 11 x $36 (Current credit value*) = $396
2.04kW Trina solar system cost; $11226 less ($5580 + $396) = $6250 fully installed
*Solar credit value is on market value, hence is subject to change without notice.
click here > Solar credit scheme information
Australian Government Green Loans
The Australian Government’s Green Loans Program is providing free home sustainability assessments and 4 year interest-free Green Loans of up to $10,000 for improvements the sustainability assessment recommends. To organise your FREE home sustainability assessment leave your details here and we will put you in touch with a local Green loan assessor.
click here > Green Loans Web page
Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme
The Queensland Government has bought in 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. What this means is any power that you produce but are not currently using, you can sell back to your energy provider at a much higher price than you would be paying for conventionally produced power (ie. 14c – 15c kWh). Origin and AGL have taken this rebate one step further by paying an even higher rate per kWh for your surplus solar power, bringing the feed in tariff up to 50c per kWh with Origin and 52c per kWh with AGL. So if AGL is not currently your energy provider, it may be worth your while to make the change!
click here > QLD solar bonus scheme information
click here > AGL Premium solar feed-in tariff info
NSW Gross Feed-in Solar Bonus Scheme
For residents of NSW the time to install solar power is NOW! The NSW Government has announced that as of the 01/01/10 they will be paying a great rate of 60c per kWh for ALL the solar power that you produce! What this means in dollar terms is if you have a 1.5kW solar power system optimally installed you will be paid approx. $1500 each year for the next 7 years! If you have a 10kW solar power system optimally installed you will be paid approx. $10,000 each year for the next 7 years! This is a fantastic opportunity to install solar power, click here to contact us and organise your FREE site inspection and quotation today!
click here > NSW solar bonus scheme information
Solar Homes plan- Residential (PVRP)
Unfortunately this rebate has been scrapped as of the 9th June 2009.
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.
View a Solar school project proudly completed by Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions
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 also known as solar credits in the Solar Credit Scheme (SCS) above. 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).
