Thinking of investing in solar energy? Not only will you be helping save the planet, but you’ll also be able to save money on your energy bills. Depending on a number of factors, using solar energy in your home may make you eligible for a rebate on your installation fee that could save you thousands of dollars.
At Think Renewable, we get tonnes of questions every day about solar panel rebates, also known as STC rebates, so we’ve put together this list of questions and answers cover everything you need to know.
What is the STC Scheme?
STC stands for Small-scale Technology Certificate. The Certificate equates to 1 megawatt hour of renewable electricity sourced from a small-scale system such as a solar panel.
As part of the Australian Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, individuals and small businesses can receive financial incentives when they install solar panel systems.
How Much Can You Get Back from the STC Scheme?
This will vary considerably depending on where you live, your income, the capacity of your solar system and many other factors. However, in some cases, you may be eligible for up to 50% off the cost of your installation.
How Do I Get My Rebate?
In most cases, claiming your solar rebate is straightforward and easy. However, there are a few things you need to ensure to make sure that you qualify.
- Your panel must be approved by the Clean Energy Council (CEC)
- The installer of your system must be CEC accredited
- You need to claim your rebate within 12 months of installation
If you tick all of those boxes, you can apply for the rebate through the Clean Energy Regulator by clicking on “Claiming Small Energy Certificates” and follow the prompts.
You’ll need to prove your eligibility, fill out the necessary compliance forms and join the REC Registry to finalise your application.
Alternatively, like all of our happy customers, you can allow Think Renewable to claim the rebate on your behalf and have the amount as a discount off of your solar systems cost!
How is the Rebate Calculated?
There are many factors that contribute to the size of your rebate, but as a general rule, the more energy your solar panel system creates the bigger your rebate. Things like the average daylight hours in your state and the size of your solar panel will play a large part in the size of your rebate.
For example, if you have a 6kW panel in Perth (which has 8.8 hours of sunshine per day on average), the size of your rebate will be larger than if you have a 3kW panel in Victoria, which averages 6.5 hours of sunshine per day.
There are also different rebates and rates available from state to state, which we will cover below.
Who is Eligible to Claim the STC Rebate?
The STC Rebate is available to all Australian homeowners and is not subject to any restrictions such as means testing. The only reason you may not qualify is if either the company who installed your solar panel or the solar panel itself is not CEC accredited.
How do Solar Rebates Vary by State?
While every state has rebates available, some states have additional incentives in addition to the Federal Government Rebate and alternatives.
Queensland
- Federal Government rebate only.
Victoria
- Federal Government rebate
- The Solar Victoria rebate – A rebate of $1,850, which may include an additional interest-free payment when installing a PV Solar System
- The Solar Homes Program – Can provide a discount of up to $4,174 for approved solar battery installations
- Solar Hot Water rebate – A $1,000 rebate for installing a solar hot water system.
Depending on a range of factors including income and the value of your home, you may or may not be eligible for some of these options.
Western Australia
- Federal Government rebate only.
New South Wales
- Federal Government rebate
- Solar for Low Income Households – Offers 3kW solar systems to homeowners receiving low-income benefits
- Empowering Homes Solar Battery Loan Offer – Available only to select postcodes, homeowners will receive a $1,400 loan for a PV solar system or a $9,000 loan for battery storage for existing systems.
South Australia
- The Home Battery Scheme – saves homeowners as much as $4,000 on their solar battery installation, with the exact amount depending on the size of the battery installed.
Northern Territory
- Federal Government rebate only.
Tasmania
- Federal Government rebate only
Australian Capital Territory
- Federal Government rebate
- Solar for Low Income – Offers a 50% rebate on solar systems of $2,500 or less. Offer is for pensioners and others on a low income.
Summary
With climate change progressing, the Australian government has a range of incentives for going solar. There’s never been a better time to invest in solar energy so you can help save the planet and cut back on your energy bills.
If you’re thinking about making the switch or you have any further questions about solar energy rebates that are not covered here, get in touch with the team at Think Renewable today!
