|
Making your home more energy efficient can be much more affordable than you think with a range of Federal, State and Local government rebates available to help with the cost of sustainable improvements.
SOLAR POWER
Solar Credits Scheme
The Solar Credits scheme is the new subsidy system that reduces the up-front costs of installing grid connected solar power systems. This scheme is available to home owners, small businesses and community groups for on and off grid installations and is not means tested. It is based on STCs (small scale technology certificates) which can be traded for cash to help discount the cost of the system.
The main financial benefit under the Solar Credits scheme is an increase in the number of STCs that a solar system produces. The system will receive three times the number of STCs for the first 1.5 kW of the system capacity. For systems above 1.5kW there is no multiplier for the extra kWs and rebates are 1:1. You have 12 months from the date of installation to claim your STCs. STCs can be received as a discount at the point of sale to greatly reduce the installation cost of your solar power system.
Solar Bonus Scheme – Feed in tariff
The Feed in Tariff is a mechanism by which owners of grid connect photovoltaic solar power systems are paid MORE than the retail price for any excess electricity production that is fed back into the grid. Under the Solar Bonus Scheme, your electricity bill will be credited 44c for every excess kilowatt hour (kWh) that you put in above your demand. You buy back electricity at roughly 18c per kWh. The largest benefit is obtained by those who use little power during the day as most of this can convert to credit, meaning that your systems pays itself back sooner.
HOT WATER SYSTEMS
Federal Government Rebate
Rebates of $1000 for solar hot water systems and $600 for heat pump hot water systems are available under the renewable energy bonus scheme for households replacing an existing electric storage hot water system.
One rebate is available per property. The system must be eligible for at least 20 RECs. Forms can be downloaded from: www.hotwaterrebate.com.au
Queensland Government Rebate
A rebate of $600 (or $1000 for eligible pensioners and low income earners) is available for compliant solar and heat pump hot water systems. This rebate is in addition to available Federal Goverment rebates.
More information can be found, and application forms downloaded from:
www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/solar_hot_water_rebate.cfm
STCs
STCs are also available for hot water systems as an additional discount. Hot water systems generally receive 25-35 STCs per system. STC values can be found at www.orer.gov.au/swh.
RAINWATER AND GREYWATER
Rebates of up to $500 are available to households for either:
-
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.
SMALL SCALE TECHNOLOGY CERTIFICATES (STCs)
STCs are Small Scale Technology Certificates that are created to help Australia meet its 2020 Renewable Energy Targets requiring 20% of all electricity to be generated by renewable sources. Electricity suppliers need to source increasing amounts of renewable energy through the surrender of STCs to meet these targets and these can be sourced from home owners who have installed various forms of renewable energy.
STCs are created for clean energy systems such as solar power, wind power and solar and heat pump hot water systems. They are determined by where you live, and therefore the amount of available sunlight hours, and the type and size of the system. Hot water systems usually receive from 25-35 STCs per system. Solar power systems receive a greater number of STCs through the Solar Credits Scheme (see above). The price per REC varies as it is market based, and therefore changes with supply and demand. STCs can be offered as a discount at the point of sale.
OTHER REBATES OR INCENTIVES AVAILABLE IN QLD
Climate smart home service
Find out how much power you’re wasting at home with the $50 ClimateSmart Home Service and start saving.
For more information visit: www.climatesmarthome.com
For more information on rebates visit:
www.climatechange.gov.au
|
|
|
