Solar Power Rebates & Renewable Energy Assistance

Federal Government Solar Hot Water Rebate

On 19 February 2010 the Government announced the household Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme to assist households to save money on power bills and reduce their carbon emissions.

Water heating is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from the average Australian home, accounting for around 23 per cent of household emissions. Installing a climate friendly hot water system can save a family hundreds of dollars off their energy bills each year.

This new Scheme is available to help eligible home-owners, landlords or tenants to replace their electric storage hot water systems with solar or heat pump hot water systems.

The Scheme replaces the Solar Hot Water Rebate Program which was discontinued as of close of business 19 February 2010.

Eligible households can claim a rebate of $1,000 for a solar hot water system or $600 for a heat pump hot water system through the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme - solar hot water rebate. This rebate applies for systems ordered and purchased from 20 February 2010.

Guidelines and applications forms for the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme - solar hot water rebate are now available.

IMPORTANT CHANGE: An applicant has up to two months (62 days) after an eligible system is installed to submit an application form.

To learn more about the program, visit the Energy Efficient Homes Package web page.

NSW Hot Water System Rebate

The NSW Government is offering a rebate of up to $1,200 to assist home owners in NSW install solar hot water systems.

The amount of the rebate is based on how many Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) the hot water system is rated to.

SolarPower's two systems are achieve ratings of 39 and 46 REC's. Under the NSW Governments's Hot Water Rebate program, this would entitle home owners to rebates of $1,000 and $1,200 respectively.

For more information about this program and to view the eligibility criteria, visit the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change Hot Water System Rebate page.

Victorian Government Solar Hot Water Rebate Programs

The Victorian Government has rebate programs that offer up to $1,500 for installation of Solar Hot Water systems.

The Government offers a program for both metropolitan Melbourne and for regional Victoria.

For more information about these rates visit the Victorian Government's ResourceSmart web site.

Brisbane City Council Solar Hot Water Rebate Program

The Brisbane City Council have extended their Solar Hot Water Rebate program until 30 June, 2009.

This program provides home owners within the Brisbane City Council with a rebate of up to $400 to replace an existing electric or gas hot water system with a solar hot water system that achieves a Renewable Energy Credit rating of at least 20 RECs.

Information about eligibility criteria and full terms and conditions can be accessed at the Council's Hot Water Rebate web page.

South Australian Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme

The South Australian Government is offering concession card holders a rebate of up to $500 to assist with the installation of solar hot water systems.

The rebate is available to home owners who install a system, to serve their principal place of residence; and at the time of installation, hold at least one of the following Australian Government concession cards:

• Centrelink Health Care Card
• Centrelink or Department of Veterans Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
• Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card - Totally and Permanently Incapacitated
• Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card - War Widow
• Department of Veterans' Affairs - Extreme Disablement Adjustment

For more information on the rebate program, visit the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure's Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme web site .

Western Australian Solar Water Heater Subsidy Program

The Western Australian Sustainable Energy Development Office is offering grants of up to $700 for installation of solar boosted gas hot water systems to replace existing electric systems.

For more information about the rebate, visit the Australian Sustainable Energy Development Office Solar Water Heater Subsidy web page.

ACT Energy Wise Home Energy Audits

The ACT government is offering an Energy Wise Home Audit service for just $30.

The audit will identify actions and modifications home owners can take to reduce their energy use.

Home owners who spend $2,000 or more to implement the audit's recommendations may be eligible for a rebate of up to $500 to help offset the costs of investing in clean energy alternatives.

For more information on the program, visit the Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) web site.