Home :: Government Rebates for Solar and Wind Power

Government rebates, incentives & grants for renewable energy

You can literally save thousands of dollars on a grid connected, off grid, solar hot water or solar pumping system if you qualify for one of the Australian Government's renewable energy rebates, subsidies or grants!

	Home solar power rebates
	The new solar credits rebate program is now available! You can also make money from your home solar power system. Learn more about incentives and renewable energy rebate programs for home solar power.

	Off grid solar power rebates
	Remote location? Switch on to renewable energy and get up to 50% rebate on remote wind and solar power equipment for off grid use! Be quick, the program has been so popular, funding is low!

	Solar incentives for business
	Current business incentives include huge tax breaks, RECs, feed in tariffs and major rebates under the new solar credits program. Save thousands!

	Solar schools grant
	The National Solar School Program (NSSP) offers most single campus schools in Australia $50,000 solar power grants and up to $100,000 for dual campuses!

	Solar for community buildings
	Community groups can utilize the power of the sun to power community buildings and take advantage of generous subsidies on a grid connect or off grid solar energy system!

	Solar hot water rebates
	Solar hot water not only means ongoing savings in water heating, but generous government rebates can save you a ton of money on your initial purchase!

	Solar water pumping rebates
	The Renewable Energy Water Pumping scheme provides rebates for the renewable energy components of water pumping systems that displace diesel engine powered pumps in off-grid applications.

	Feed in tariffs
	A feed-in tariff is a premium rate paid for electricity fed back into the mains grid by a rooftop solar power system. You can sell electricity back to the power company!

	Renewable energy certificates
	RECs accompany the purchase of some solar and wind power equipment. RECs are traded in for money and can act as a point of sale discount off our already deep discounts!

Rebates summary

A brief summary on the various rebate programs can also be found below, but please don't hesitate in contacting the Energy Matters team for expert advice on rebates that may be applicable to you!

In addition to rebates and renewable energy certificates, find out here how your solar power system could be financed and actually generate income for you with the help of the feed in tariff!

Rebates for home solar power installations

Electricity grid connected homes (Solar Homes and Communities Plan, formerly PVRP)

The new Solar Credits Program is now in effect, offering up to $9,000 off a grid connected solar power system! Home owners, small businesses and community groups are all eligible for the Australian solar credits program! No-one will be means tested under the new solar scheme.

more information on the solar credits program
more general information about solar for electricity grid connected homes
Get an online quote or purchase solar power for your home
Design a grid connected solar power system

Remote and off-grid homes (RRPGP)

Rebates are also available for stand alone power systems but it is conditional. To be eligible, applicants must have their pre-purchase application approved by the administrator before buying and installing new renewable generation systems. To be eligible, you must also own the household and live there; it must be your primary residence. The household must be located 1km from the grid or it must cost $30,000 or more to be connected to the grid.

If you meet these conditions then the rebate will cover 50% of the system costs including renewable energy components and enabling equipment such as batteries, cabling etc... This rebate covers costs of under $200,000, for anything larger refer to Major Project Program. You can also apply for this rebate when upgrading an existing system.

more information on Australian Government RRPGP
more general information about solar for remote homes
Design a stand alone (off-grid) solar power system

Eligibility for off grid rebate

Household must earn under $100K per annum of taxable income to be eligible for the rebate. No rebate will be given if second hand panels are used. The rebate will also not be obtained if equipment has been installed without pre-approval from the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO).

In order to be eligible for this rebate, you need to be an owner/ occupier of the house; and it has to be your primary residence. The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE), a regulating body, requires that the PV system be also installed by a BCSE accredited installer, not just any electrician. Energy Matters have numerous BCSE accredited installers that can complete all the paperwork and install a PV system according to BCSE standards.

If you are eligible for the Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme, then you cannot be eligible for the PV Rebate Program.

Solar grants and rebates for schools

The cost of installing a grid connect solar power system can be entirely financed through government grants of up to $50,000! We'll even assist you with grant application forms and provide plenty of additional bonuses.

For schools located over 1km from the mains electricity grid, a rebate is offered. The RRPGP rebate will cover 50% of the system cost .

more information about grid connect $50,000 solar power grants for schools
more information on the Australian Government RRPGP for remote schools

Rebates for churches & community buildings

Electricity grid connected organisations (Solar Homes and Communities Plan)

The Australian Government gives cash rebates until June 2012 for eligible churches and community buildings when a grid connect PV system is installed. The rebate scheme offers up 50% of the cost of a grid connected system up to a maximum of 2kW.

more information about grid connect solar systems for churches and community buildings
Design a grid connected solar power system

Solar for remote churches and community buildings

Communities, business organizations, non-profit organizations, government organizations which are not close to the grid are eligible. Rebates are also available for stand alone power systems but it is conditional. To be eligible, applicants must have their pre-purchase application approved by the administrator before buying and installing new renewable generation systems. The organisation must be located 1km from the grid or it must cost $30,000 or more to be connected to the grid.

You can also apply for this rebate when upgrading an existing system.

more information on Australian Government RRPGP
more general information about solar for remote areas
Design a stand alone (off-grid) solar power system

Solar rebates and incentives for business

The new solar credits program is open to business! Business owners will be able to save up to $9000 on the price of a grid connect solar power system! Other incentive programs covering business situations currently include huge tax breaks, RECs and feed in tariffs.

more information on incentives and rebates for business

Solar water pumping for remote areas

The Renewable Energy Water Pumping Sub-Programme provides rebates for the renewable energy components of water pumps that displace diesel engine powered pumps in off-grid applications.

Rebates of 40% of the capital cost of the renewable energy components minus $1,000 are available to applicants that fully comply with the eligibility requirements and procedures outlined in the guidelines.

more information on RRPGP Water Pumping Sub Programme
more general information about solar for water pumping
Design a solar water pumping system

Rebates for solar hot water

National Solar hot water rebates are available until 31st of March 2012, but the Australian Commonwealth Government reserves the right to change the rebate amount. Currently, Australian federal government offers $1000 rebates for installing solar and heat pump hot water systems (conditions apply). You may also be eligible for State Government rebates.

more information on solar hot water rebates
more general information about solar hot water systems
Request a site inspection for a solar hot water system
Solar hot water products

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

RECs are available when complete solar hot water and heaters are installed or when renewable energy is produced by a photovoltaic system, micro-hydro or wind system. To receive RECs there are certain conditions that need to be fulfilled. The prices of these certificates vary. RECs are traded in for money and can be used as a point of sale discount on equipment you buy through Energy Matters..

The RECs are released by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator which initially was created to ensure that Australian Government meets its Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET).

more information on Australian Commonwealth Government's RECs

Download rebate application forms

Download application forms from Energy Matters

Upcoming rebate and assistance programs

The following are upcoming rebate, incentive and loan programs; please note the information on the following pages may change as new information becomes available closer to the program launch date