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New South Wales Solar Bonus Scheme

Residents, small businesses and community groups of New South Wales have one of the most generous solar power incentives schemes in Australia - the Solar Bonus Scheme!

In addition to the thousands of dollars in rebates available under the Solar Credits program, NSW residents can also generate revenue through the state's new gross feed in tariff. Legislation for the program was passed by Parliament in late November 2009.

How does the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme work?

Under the Solar Bonus Scheme, all households and eligible small business and community groups installing solar power systems will be paid 60 cents per kilowatt hour for all electricity produced! In most other states, a premium is only paid on surplus electricity generated and in some cases at a far lower rate.

The NSW Solar Bonus scheme will allow for a system size of up to 10kW - far larger than most households need to supply all their electricity needs.

Under the Solar Bonus Scheme, solar households, businesses and community groups in New South Wales get to have their cake and eat it too as they are also eligible for the Solar Credits scheme that provides thousands of dollars in rebates!

Additionally, some New South Wales residents may be eligible for the interest free Green Loans program. Depending on the scenario, this could mean a home solar power system can be acquired for free as the feed in tariff payment would cover the loan repayment!

Beat the rush - try our instant online solar power quote tool - it's free, completely no-obligation and only takes 2 minutes to do!

If you were to install a home solar power system 10kW in size, according to information released by the NSW government you would be paid almost $10,000 a year - guaranteed!

The NSW Solar Bonus Scheme means free clean electricity, plus a revenue generation opportunity on your rooftop and you'll also be contributing to reducing New South Wales' carbon emissions.

The New South Wales Solar Bonus Scheme will be active from January 1, 2010. Given the very generous program, the rush is already beginning to install systems in time to take the maximum advantage of the initiative.

Solar Bonus Scheme eligibility

Residents of New South Wales with an annual electricity consumption of up to 160 megawatt hours (MWh) will be eligible to participate in the Solar Bonus Scheme. This includes households, small businesses, schools and community organisations.

Solar panel systems and wind turbines up to 10 kilowatts in capacity will be eligible for the Solar Bonus Scheme.

Get in quick - here's why

The New South Wales Solar Bonus scheme has an overall cap of 50 megawatts capacity; meaning 50 megawatts worth of solar panels. If the quota is filled before the official review in 2012, the review date will be brought forward to that point.

Other regions around the world with low-cap feed in tariff programs have filled their quotas years before their programs were due to end - two examples are Ontario's original program and Florida's scheme.

It is entirely possible that a NSW review may recommend no additional capacity be apportioned once the 50 megawatt cap is reached. While those who have already installed systems will continue to receive the premium rate for the remainder of the seven years, those who aren't already in the program will miss out entirely, so get started on your system today as orders are already flooding in!

What you need to do

Act now and beat the rush - we encourage you to use our instant online solar power quote tool - it's free, completely no-obligation and only takes 2 minutes to do!

Then:

Simply call our friendly New South Wales Solar Bonus Scheme team on 1300 727 151 between 8.30am and 5.30pm Eastern Standard Time Monday - Friday as soon as possible, mention your quote number and ask any questions you might have or arrange a no-obligation site inspection.

Complete a solar power site assessment form (PDF) and email/fax/mail it into us. All the instructions are on the form and our team will standing by on 1300 727 151 between 8.30am and 5.30pm Monday to Friday to help you in completing the form if you require assistance.

We look forward to installing a revenue generating solar power system at your home or business soon!

Already have a solar power system?

If you already have a solar power system and are wondering how to take advantage of the new Solar Bonus Scheme gross feed in tariff, details are still a little sketchy. According to a press release from the NSW Premier's office, Climate Change and Environment and Minister for Energy John Robertson states that Transitional arrangements will also be made for families already receiving a feed-in-tariff.