To motivate South Australian households to utilise solar energy, the South Australian Government has initiated Switch for Solar. The program delivers assistance to eligible families to minimize the cost of solar panel installation. Furthermore, Switch For Solar provides advice and ongoing support on how Australians can make the most of solar energy.
Switch For Solar is an inviting option for those looking to reduce energy bills, especially now that electricity rates are rising. Lower your energy bills today by bringing the solar experience to your home. With Switch for Solar, households can approximately $157 – $525 every year.
Concession holders can now access solar energy and switch future concession payments in exchange for a 4.4kW solar PV system. Households can now join Switch for Solar with a little to no upfront cost for installation.
Prior to joining the program, you can complete our quick Solar Quotes Quiz and receive up to 3 FREE solar quotes! The quiz covers questions that will help us pair you with trusted installers. You may also download our Solar Consumer Guide to ensure you have all the info you need to begin your solar journey.
Applications Closing Soon
Switch for Solar will be closing its doors to new applications on Wednesday 31st of August 2022, at 5 pm. So make sure that you apply before the given date. Concessions SA will review your application and will see if you are eligible for the program.
Once the application is approved, a program partner will reach out to you to do a site inspection, providing you with a quote that includes energy efficiency measures and other costs. All solar systems are due for installation by December 31st, 2022.
Who Can Be A Part Of The Program?
The Government of South Australia launched Switch for Solar. This initiative is to aid households in reducing their energy bills and taking advantage of solar energy.
To be eligible your household must:
- own and live in a detached or semi-detached house in an eligible suburb
- hold an eligible Centrelink or DVA card or receive an eligible Centrelink or DVA payment
- not already have a solar PV system Eligible suburbs
- use more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year
- currently receive the energy concession and the Cost of Living Concession
- agree to not receive the energy concession and Cost of Living Concession for 10 years
Your home will need to pass a site assessment from ZEN Energy to confirm it is suitable for a solar PV system installation.
Will there be an upfront cost?
An upfront cost might be necessary if your home requires some work to do the installation. This includes asbestos removal, wiring, and meter board upgrades. Or, the electricity retailer may charge you for an upgrade on the electricity meter in order to support your solar PV system.
Other Switch to Solar applicants would want to upgrade the size of the PV system, thus, requiring an upfront cost.
How can I confirm my eligibility?
The Switch for Solar Assessment is ready to provide you with all of the information you need in order to join the solar program. You can apply for a Switch for Solar Assessment at www.sa.gov.au/switchforsolar. You may also call them at (08) 8226 3100. They are open from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
In cases where one of you receives a concession that differs from your partner, you are still eligible for the program as long as the concession holders agree to every requirement, such as not receiving the Cost-of-Living Concession for ten years.
If your eligibility is dependent on another household member receiving the energy concession and Cost of Living Concession and is also moving out of the property, you may contact Switch to Solar to discuss your options. Make sure that you specify your situation to the team to stay in the program.
Why Is My Suburb Not Eligible?
Switch for Solar has selected areas where its network can efficiently deliver solar installations. Switch of Solar has built an eligibility criterion for households to pass in order to provide the maximum benefits of the program. The basis of eligibility is assessed in the first stage of assessment; this includes your electricity usage, type of home and ownership, etc.
Visit this page to check if your suburb is eligible – https://www.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/676648/Switch-for-Solar-Frequently-Asked-Questions.pdf
Why Should I Give Up My Concession to Join Switch For Solar, and Why Ten Years?
As mentioned, there is little to no upfront cost of the system. The South Australian government does this by covering the cost of the standard installation. The cost is recovered over ten years using the Cost-of-Living Concession and energy concession fees the household has acknowledged. The concession household enjoys the benefits of solar panels by switching concession payments for a solar PV system.
However, in most cases, you can’t contribute your own money to keep your concessions or lower them down from 10 years. You can only cancel the agreement under exceptional circumstances.
You will have to work on another program outside of Switch to Solar if you do not want to switch concessions and still want to purchase a solar PV system. However, upfront costs are likely to increase in this case. If you would like to proceed with this option, we suggest you consult multiple Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailers in your area.
Also, you don’t necessarily have to give your Cost-of-Living Concession and energy concession indefinitely. If you remain in the same circumstances, your concessions will restart automatically after then years, as well as continue to enjoy the saving benefits of the solar PV system.
How do I join Switch for Solar?
- Fill in the form at www.sa.gov.au/switchforsolar. You may also contact them at (08)-822603100 to apply for a Switch for Solar Assessment.
- You must provide a Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN) or Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) File Number to complete the application.
- ConcessionsSA will review your application and confirm your eligibility. They will review the concessions your household receives, the Centrelink/DVA cards you hold, electricity usage, and type of home and home ownership.
- After confirming your eligibility, you will be arranged for a site inspection to verify if your residence is qualified for a solar PV system. The assessment will cover technical details; suitable roof space, roof condition, electricity meters, switchboards, etc.
- Once the site inspection is successful, you will receive an estimate of possible savings, as well as potential upfront costs.
- Once the fees are settled and you confirm to the program, you will be scheduled for a solar PV installation as soon as possible. You can finally start saving on your electric bills with your solar PV system.
When Joining Switch for Solar, You Must Agree To:
- Take ownership and responsibility of the solar PV system
- Be responsible for the maintenance of the PV system.
- Allow your electricity retailer to submit your electricity bills to the South Australian government. This is to consistently review your savings from participating in the program.
- Inform ConcessionsSA if decide on selling or moving out of your property in the next ten years
Can I Get a Solar PV System Bigger Than 4.4 Kilowatts?
Sure you can! You can apply for a PV system larger than 4.4 kilowatts. Keep in mind that by doing this, the factors that come with going above the 4.4-kilowatt system will be between you and the installation team only. However, you must still agree to the concession of 10 years, regardless of the solar PV system size you’d like to go for.
You cannot get a battery through the Switch for Solar program. Although, you can still contribute to getting a battery installed that is right for your Solar PV system. Learn more about battery options by visiting www.homebatteryscheme.sa.gov.au.
You will not have to change your electricity when joining the Switch to Solar program. You have the option to continue or change your retail plan once the PV system is installed. Visit our FREE Energy Comparison site to compare energy offers across South Australia.
What Other Approvals Do I Need?
There are additional approvals needed if you reside in a heritage-listed area, strata title, or a retirement village.
Strata Titles and Retirement Villages
Make sure to ask for permission and approval from the village manager if you live on this type of property. Comply with requirements before making an application.
Heritage Listed Property or Zone
Council approval is not necessary if you reside in a heritage-listed area. You can seamlessly proceed with the application and installation without additional requirements.
Network
Prior to doing an installation, you must get approval from the SA Power Networks to link your PV system to the electricity grid.
Call Energy Matters and Switch To Solar Today
Help the environment while saving money on electricity bills with a solar PV system! With the endless benefits that solar energy gives, there has never been a better time to consider switching to renewable energy.
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