Solar for hot water – what rebates are available?

money

Government Rebates and Incentives

The Sunshine Coast Solar Centre will assist you with claiming all applicable rebates for your Edwards Solar Hot Water system. Please contact us to find out more.  

Federal Government $1,000 Hot Water Rebate

The Australian Federal Government is helping Australian households install climate friendly water heaters. A non-means tested rebate of $1000 is available in eligible circumstances to install a solar hot water system to replace an electric storage hot water system in an existing privately owned home. A $600 rebate is available to install a heat pump water heater in the same circumstances.The rebate is offered for systems installed on, or after 20th February 2010 until June 2012, subject to the availability of funds. 

This measure will mean households can save money and help fight climate change. Water heating is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from the average Australian home, accounting for around 25% of home energy use (excluding the family car). 

The Owner or tenant will need to apply directly to the Federal Government to receive this rebate. 

Eligible systems

To be eligible for the rebate, a hot water system must: 

  • replace an electric storage hot water system
  • be purchased and installed on, or after 20th February 2010
  • be a solar or heat pump hot water system that is eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) at the time and place of installation
  • be installed by a suitably qualified person (for example a plumber and/or electrician).

Eligible households

  • The dwelling where the hot water system is installed must be a principal place of residence.
  • The household must not have already accessed the $1600 insulation offer under the Homeowner Insulation Program for the same home.

Further conditions and eligibility criteria may apply.  

QLD Government Solar Hot Water Rebate – Up to $1,000

The Queensland Government is offering rebates to households that replace their electric hot water system with an Edwards solar hot water system or heat pump. The rebate will reduce the cost of an Edwards solar water heater.  

How much is the Queensland Government Solar Hot Water Rebate?  For eligible applicants:    

  • a $600 rebate for the installation of an Edwards solar hot water system or heat pump.
  • a $1000 rebate for pensioners and low-income earners who install an Edwards solar hot water system or heat pump.
Am I eligible to get the rebate?
 
To get the $600 or $1000 Queensland Government Solar Hot Water Rebate, applicants must meet a number of eligibility criteria.  Applicants should read the application pack (available shortly) containing the full eligibility criteria, as part of any decision to purchase a solar water heater.  Some of the key eligibility criteria are provided below.
 
 To be eligible for the Queensland Government Solar Hot Water Rebate applicants must have:    

  • replaced an existing electric storage hot water system installed at a principal place of residence in Queensland
  • installed a solar hot water system or heat pump that is eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
  • had their solar water heater installed by suitably licensed parties (current BSA and occupational licences) 
  • purchased their solar water heater on or after 13 April 2010.

If applying for the $1000 pensioner or low-income earner rebate, applicants must meet the general criteria above, and also hold a current and valid:   

  • Centrelink Pension Concession card
  • Centrelink Low-Income Heath Care card
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pension Concession card (Blue only. Orange, white and gold cardholders are not eligible.)

Please note, you can only apply for the low-income earner/pensioner rebate amount once.  Submitting an application for the Queensland Government Solar Hot Water Rebate does not guarantee eligibility.  Your application will be assessed by the Queensland Government and your eligibility determined before any rebate payment. You may be asked to provide supporting evidence to confirm your eligibility before the rebate is paid.

 

Renewable Energy Certificates

Renewable Energy Certificates or RECs were introduced by the Australian Federal Government as an incentive to assist the switch to renewable energy sources as part of its policies to ensure Australia meets its international commitments in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.Measuring the amount of renewable energy produced, or non-renewable energy displaced, is done via the creation of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). A REC for a solar water heater is the equivalent of 1 MWh of renewable energy produced, or non-renewable energy displaced, over a ten-year period.The installation of a solar water heater may be eligible for the creation of RECs if it is accredited by the Office of Renewable Energy Regulator (ORER) and results in a positive greenhouse gas benefit. Once created RECs can be traded, purchased or sold, thereby making a solar water heater installation cheaper for the owner.The value of RECs is not fixed and varies from time to time.The Owner of the solar water heater can assign the right to create RECs to Sunshine Coast Solar Centre and Sunshine Coast Solar Centre will reimburse the Owner for the value of the RECs via a point of sale discount.