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Australian solar hot water rebates

You can save thousands on your new solar hot water system purchase, not only through Energy Matter's deeply discounted prices on solar hot water systems, but also through Federal and State government rebates and the redemption of RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates)!

Save up to $1500 on solar hot water!

The amount of rebate is based on the size of a system (amount of water produced) and performance (its solar contribution). The better performing systems, or the ones that make the most effective use of the sun's energy, attract a higher rebate.

The following is information regarding federal rebate assistance, plus rebate programs in each state. Contact us today via email or on 1300 727 151 for expert, obligation-free advice.

Commonwealth government solar hot water rebate

Rebates of up to $1600 are available to install solar and heat pump hot water systems to replace electric storage hot water systems in existing privately owned homes. The rebate is offered for systems installed on, or after 18 July 2007 until March 2012 and applies throughout Australia.

To be eligible for the rebate, the system must 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 and be installed by a suitably qualified person (for example an electrician or plumber). The dwelling where the hot water system is installed must be a principal place of residence.

Applicants must apply for the rebate within 6 months of the heat pump or hot water system being installed. People who are renting are also eligible for the rebate, however the system should not be installed without approval of the landlord. Investment properties are also eligible as long as they are the principle residence of the owner or of the renter.

Solar hot water systems installed on new houses are not eligible for the rebate, however Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) accompany most solar hot water systems and can provide a discount of over $1,000 on the upfront cost of the average solar hot water system

Important: Per the Energy Efficient Homes Package that the government released on February 3, 2009, householders can apply for free insulation, however if you do you cannot also apply for the solar hot water rebate.

Download the Solar Hot Water Rebate Applicant Information Booklet (PDF -contains all the documents and forms you'll need)

Questions? Contact us today via email or on 1300 727 151 for expert, obligation-free advice.

Renewable energy certificates (RECs)

RECs are issued when a complete solar hot water system is installed. The number of renewable energy certificates issued varies with each system. The certificates can be traded for a substantial cash discount on your purchase through Energy Matters. The value varies depending on market conditions. . You can check the REC information for each system via the Australian Government's register of solar hot water heaters or contact our friendly team who can tell you the REC value for each system.

You'll notice that on the register of solar hot water heaters, REC assignment levels depend on where you live. The following diagram shows the different zones throughout Australia.

Renewable Energy Certificate zones in Australia

Heat pump specific rebates and RECS

Heat pumps are a different form of solar hot water that doesn't require panels on your roof. You can learn more about heat pumps here and REC and rebate information for heat pump systems can be viewed here.

State specific solar hot water rebate and REC information

Some Australian states offer additional incentives for householders to install solar hot water systems. The following links provide further details for arrangements in each state:

South Australia
Victoria
New South Wales
Northern Territory
Australian Capital Territory
Western Australia
Queensland
Tasmania

South Australia solar hot water rebates

The South Australian Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme provides a rebate of $500 - $700 on the cost of a new solar or electric heat pump water heater system installed on or after 1st July 2008. This rebate is only available to low income earners who have various concession cards, but if you live in Port Augusta, Miranda or Stirling North you may be eligible for a rebate under the Flinders Power Scheme (those residents should contact the Port Augusta City Council).

Installation situation	SA Rebate (Concession Card Holders Only) $500 or $700	Aust Gov't Rebate $1600*	Aust Gov't RECs eligible**
For private homes
Replacing an electric water heater with a heat pump	No	Yes	Yes
Replacing an electric water heater with a solar system	Yes	Yes	Yes
Replacing an electric water heater with a solar boosted heat pump system	Yes	Yes	Yes
Replacing a gas water heater with a gas-boosted solar system (bottled & reticulated gas)	Yes	No	Yes
Add solar retro-fit kit or pre-heater system to existing water heater (under warranty for another 3 yrs)	Yes	No	No
New homes installing a gas-boosted solar system in a reticulated gas area	Yes	No	Yes
New homes installing a solar system in a non-reticulated gas area	Yes	No	Yes
For commercial buildings
New or existing buildings installing a solar water heater or heat pump	No	No	Yes

The $700 rebate applies to a 3.5sqm or greater panel collector area (nominal 2 panels) or heat pump. The $500 rebate applies to 1.75 sqm to 3.49sqm panel collector area (nominal 1 panel) or solar retrofit or pre-heat system

*Conditions apply

** Indicates whether a situation is eligible for a financial incentive through the Australian Government's Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) scheme. For example, if the REC price is $45 and your installation attracts 30 RECs you could save $1350. Contact us today via email or on 1300 727 151 for RECs value on any of the solar hot water systems we stock.

You can check the REC information for each solar hot water system we stock via the Australian Government's register of solar hot water heaters (PDF) in conjunction with this postcode zone table

Application forms and eligibility documentation can be downloaded here (PDF).

Questions? Contact us today via email or on 1300 727 151 for expert, obligation-free advice.

Victoria solar hot water rebates

In addition to the federal rebate of up to $1600:

Metropolitan Melbourne: Rebates range from $900 to $1,500 for installing solar hot water into an existing residential property; depending upon system size.

Regional Victoria: Rebates for complete systems range from $1900 to $2500, depending upon the size and performance of a system

PLEASE NOTE: Sustainability Victoria reviewed rebate levels in relation to the recent introduction of additional incentives for the installation of solar hot water systems and a new Victorian rebate structure came into effect on May 1.

Details of the new rebate structure can be downloaded here (PDF).

Check for your check for address eligibility

Questions? Contact us today via email or on 1300 727 151 for expert, obligation-free advice.

Western Australia solar hot water rebates

The government of Western Australia is currently offering a $500 rebate for natural gas-boosted solar water heaters and a $700 rebate for bottled LP gas-boosted solar water heaters used in areas without reticulated gas.

Installation situation	WA Rebate $500(Nat) or $700(LPG)	Aust Gov't Rebate $1600*	Aust Gov't RECs eligible**
For private homes
New private and display homes and private residential developments installing a gas-boosted solar water heater	Yes	No	Yes
Existing homes installing a gas-boosted solar water heater	Yes	No	Yes
Replacing an electric water heater with a solar system or heat pump	No	Yes	Yes
New and existing homes installing a solar system or heat pump	No	No	Yes
For commercial buildings
New or existing buildings installing a solar water heater or heat pump	No	No	Yes

Terms and conditions of the Solar Water Heater Subsidy Scheme are outlined in the scheme guidelines (PDF ) and the process for applying for a rebate is outlined on the application form (PDF)

*Conditions apply

You can also check the REC information for each solar hot water system we stock via the Australian Government's register of solar hot water heaters in conjunction with this postcode zone table

Questions? Contact us today via email or on 1300 727 151 for expert, obligation-free advice.

Northern Territory solar hot water rebates

Power and Water will purchase RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates) from people who have installed solar hot water systems. The price offered currently by Power and Water is $47 per Renewable Energy Certificate. Further details

Installation situation	Aust Gov't Rebate $1600*	Aust Gov't RECs eligible**
For private homes
Replacing an electric water heater with a solar system or heat pump	Yes	Yes
New and existing homes installing a solar system or heat pump	No	Yes
For commercial buildings
New or existing buildings installing a solar water heater or heat pump	No	Yes

Questions? Contact us today via email or on 1300 727 151 for expert, obligation-free advice.

*Conditions apply

You can also check the REC information for each solar hot water system we stock via the Australian Government's register of solar hot water heaters (PDF) in conjunction with this postcode zone table

Queensland solar hot water rebates

There are no rebates available in Queensland for solar hot water, aside from the Federal Government rebate.

Installation situation	Aust Gov't Rebate $1600*	Aust Gov't RECs eligible**
For private homes
Replacing an electric water heater with a solar system or heat pump	Yes	Yes
New and existing homes installing a solar system or heat pump	No	Yes
For commercial buildings
New or existing buildings installing a solar water heater or heat pump	No	Yes

*Conditions apply

You can also check the REC information for each solar hot water system we stock via the Australian Government's register of solar hot water heaters (PDF) in conjunction with this postcode zone table

New South Wales solar hot water rebates

The New South Wales government offers up to $1200 for a solar or heat pump hot water systems eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).

Installation situation	NSW Rebate $600 - $1200	Aust Gov't Rebate $1600*	Aust Gov't RECs eligible**
For private homes
Replacing an electric water heater with a solar system or heat pump	Yes	Yes	Yes
New and existing homes installing a solar system or heat pump	No	No	Yes
For commercial buildings
New or existing buildings installing a solar water heater or heat pump	No	No	Yes

The rebate is scaled as follows:

Number of RECs	Rebate
20-27	$600
28-35	$800
36-43	$1000
44+	$1200

Full details and application form can be downloaded here (PDF)

*Conditions apply

You can also check the REC information for each solar hot water system we stock via the Australian Government's register of solar hot water heaters (PDF) in conjunction with this postcode zone table

NEWS! Energy Matters is currently offering special deals on solar hot water systems for New South Wales residents!

Questions? Contact us today via email or on 1300 727 151 for expert, obligation-free advice.

ACT solar hot water rebates

The ACT Energy Wise program offers rebates of up to $500 on a solar hot water system. However, in order to qualify for the rebate, the homeowner is required to spend an additional $1000 on other energy saving improvements around the home. The homeowner is also required to have an energy audit performed at the cost of $30 and provide supporting documentation.

Installation situation	ACT Rebate $500****	Aust Gov't Rebate $1600*	Aust Gov't RECs eligible**
For private homes
Replacing an electric water heater with a solar system or heat pump	Yes	Yes	Yes
New and existing homes installing a solar system or heat pump	No	No	Yes
For commercial buildings
New or existing buildings installing a solar water heater or heat pump	No	No	Yes

Further information can be downloaded here (PDF)

*Conditions apply

You can also check the REC information for each solar hot water system we stock via the Australian Government's register of solar hot water heaters (PDF) in conjunction with this postcode zone table

Questions? Contact us today via email or on 1300 727 151 for expert, obligation-free advice.

Tasmania solar hot water rebates

There are no rebates available in Tasmania for solar hot water, aside from the Federal Government rebate mentioned above, with Hobart City being the exception.

Hobart City Council offers Hobart ratepayers a $500 rebate for systems purchased and installed before December 31 2008

Installation situation	Aust Gov't Rebate $1600*	Aust Gov't RECs eligible**
For private homes
Replacing an electric water heater with a solar system or heat pump	Yes	Yes
New and existing homes installing a solar system or heat pump	No	Yes
For commercial buildings
New or existing buildings installing a solar water heater or heat pump	No	Yes

Further details and an application form can be downloaded here (PDF)

*Conditions apply

You can also check the REC information for each solar hot water system we stock via the Australian Government's register of solar hot water heaters in conjunction with this postcode zone table

Buy a solar hot water system online today or contact us via email or toll free on 1300 727 151 for expert, obligation-free advice.