At Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions we aim to make it as simple as possible for you to start benefiting from solar power.
Below is a list of the current government rebates & incentives available in plain English. Wherever possible we will take the available rebates as a point of sale discount, to make your solar power investment as affordable as possible.
Australian Solar Credits Scheme (SCS)
The Solar Credits Scheme is 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 old SHCP rebate system, are eligible for solar power rebates in the form of the Solar Credits Scheme (SCS).
Rooftop solar systems generate solar credits, the number of these solar credits received will be multiplied by three 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;
Say REC‘s (Renewable Energy Certificate’s) are priced at $36 each.*
A basic 1kW system is worth 20 REC’s, with a 1.5kW system worth a total of 31 REC’s. A 1.5kW system at the REC price above would therefore be less 31 REC’s x 36 each, equaling a total REC rebate available of $1116.
With the Solar Credit Scheme rebate though, this initial 1.5kW of solar power system REC’s is multiplied by 3, so we have 31 x 3 = 93 REC’s x $36 each = $3348 worth of available rebate.
So if you have a solar power system larger than 1.5kW the initial 1.5kW will be multiplied by 3 then every Watt above that will be at the standard REC rate; ie.
A 2.5kW solar power system – initial 1.5kW is worth 93 Solar Credit Scheme REC’s, the remaining 1kW of solar power system is worth a further 20 REC’s. Added together this is a total of 175 REC’s. If the REC’s are at the price above the total system rebate will be 113 REC’s x $36 each = $4068 worth of rebates available for your solar power system!
*solar REC value is on market value, hence is subject to change without notice.
click here > Solar credit scheme information
Queensland’s Net Feed-In Tariff / Solar Bonus Scheme
The Queensland Government has bought in a solar bonus scheme which is available here on the Gold Coast in the form of a net feed in tariff of 44c kWh for solar 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 (currently approx. 20c kWh). The energy retailer AGL has taken this rebate one step further by paying an even higher rate per kWh for your surplus solar power, bringing the net feed in tariff up to 52c per kWh. So if AGL is not currently your energy provider and you have solar power, 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 Tariff Solar Bonus Scheme
For residents at the far south of the Gold Coast located in NSW the time to install solar power is NOW! The NSW Government has announced that as of the 01/01/10 they are paying a great rate of 60c per kWh for ALL the solar power that you produce! This is what we call a “gross feed in tariff”. 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 on the gross feed in tariff 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 solar power site inspection and quotation today!
**IMPORTANT UPDATE** The NSW Government as of Wednesday the 27th October capped this gross feed in tariff mentioned above, it is now capped at 20c per kW being paid for solar electricity. Customers who are already connected to the gross feed in tariff at 60c per kWh will not be affected by these changes.
click here > NSW solar bonus scheme information
Solar Homes plan- Residential (PVRP)
Unfortunately this rebate was scrapped on the 9th June 2009. The Australian Solar Credit Scheme has replaced the PVRP rebate, information on the Solar Credit Scheme can be found at the top of this page.
Solar Power for 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. Gold Coast Solar Power Solutions has designed and installed a number of solar power systems on Gold Coast schools, and are ready to meet the solar power requirements of your school today.
click here > Solar power for schools information page
Solar Sport & Community Group Grants
The Queensland Government currently offers solar sport and community group grants; these grants are available to eligible organisations through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund (GCBF). Only 1.5 kw PV systems and solar hot water systems can be applied for.
click here > Solar Sport & Community Group Grants Website
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 solar power 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).
