Fast read
Homeowners in Australia who instal a small-scale solar panel system are eligible for the solar rebate, commonly known as the Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) programme. The rebate, which can range from $2,000 to $3,000 depending on the size of the installation, is given as an upfront discount on the cost of purchasing a solar panel system.
The solar panel system must be installed by a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installer and utilise CEC-approved hardware to qualify for the rebate. The Renewable Energy Target, a government programme designed to promote electricity generation from renewable sources, includes the solar rebate, which is available for installations up to 100 kW.
The rebate is expected to be phased away by 2031 and gradually decline yearly.
Can I get the solar system rebate?
What is the solar system rebate, and how much can I receive?
A relatively generous solar system rebate for grid-connected homes has been available since May 2007, when the Howard government introduced an $8000 rebate per system. While the amounts and the details of the rebate schemes have changed, a decent solar system rebate is still available for anyone who owns a home.
In most cases, the amount homeowners secure nowadays is between $2000 and $3000. If your solar system is bigger, your rebate can be even more significant than the above amounts. The rebate is now designed to decrease gradually every year on the 31st of December, and it is supposed to be phased out by 2031.
The national solar system rebate, now called Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs), is an upfront discount on the purchase price of the solar system.
What are the criteria to be eligible?
To be eligible for a solar system rebate, there are some essential eligibility requirements:
- The solar electric system installation must not have occurred more than 12 months before the date of application for STCs.
- An eligible site must install the solar power system before the rebate is supplied. These include shops, houses, townhouses, residential apartments, and commercial premises.
- The solar system should be a complete, new unit.
- Solar Credits are not available for more than one eligible system per address. Still, as records of old systems were poorly kept, I have seen premises getting rebates for multiple systems a decade apart.
- A small-scale, eligible solar PV system needs to be installed by a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installer. In addition, it must use CEC-accredited equipment such as panels, inverter solutions and racking.
- No matter how long the solar credit is valid, it can only be used once per installation.
The solar rebate is part of the Renewable Energy Target, an Australian Government scheme to encourage additional electricity generation from sustainable and renewable sources. It can fluctuate in price, as it is linked to the value of the small certificates. To keep it simple – the rebate is usually applied to the advertised price already, so any quote you are given has the rebate already deducted, as per standard industry practice. The STC rebate scheme applies for systems up to 100 kW.
Large-scale renewable energy target
A similar scheme called Large-scale Renewable Energy Target for large commercial installations and LGCs is created. So if you are looking at a larger solar system – over 100kW- then rebates are available. Talk to an installation company about the details.
So we say – take advantage of the solar rebate while you can!
