Current News Articles

Government Drops Rebate on Solar Heat Pumps to $1,000 Effective Immediately.
(4 September 2009)

The Government announced on Friday 4th September that, effective Saturday the 5th of September, the rebate on Solar Heat Pumps under the Energy Efficient Homes Package would drop from $1,600 to $1,000. 

The $1,600 rebate on traditional Solar Hot Water Systems (i.e. with roof top panels) will remain unaffected.

Recognizing that this change will affect some householders who have already purchased a system Mr Garret commented as follows:

"We know there will be some people affected by the transition - people who can show they bought their heat pump prior to 5 September 2009 can (still) apply for the higher rebate."

The Government has advised that revised guidelines and further information on this change will be available from their website www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency as soon as possible.  Until this time further information can be obtained by calling the government hotline on 1800 808 571.

Refer to the media release from Peter Garrett for further information.

For more information

 

Australian Government to phase out
Electric Hot Water Heaters from 2010
(2009)

A standard residential electric hot water system produces around four tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. That’s 2.5 times more greenhouse gases than other more efficient technologies and the equivalent of running an average sized car for a year.  To address this issue the Federal Government has announced that from 2010 it will make it mandatory to install greenhouse friendly hot water systems in new homes and homes replacing an existing electric hot water system. 

To help the 50 per cent of existing Australian households that have an electric hot water system to reduce their electricity bills and Australia’s greenhouse emissions, the Australian Government has committed to:

Working with State and Territory Governments to phase-out greenhouse intensive hot water systems commencing in 2010, and

Offering a rebate of up to $1,600 for eligible households to install solar hot water or heat pump systems.

See attached PDF for further information

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Federal Budget includes $4.3 billion for improving the
Energy Efficiency of Australian Homes
(12 May 2009)

More than three million Australian households are set to benefit from the largest energy efficiency rollout Australia has ever seen.

The $4.0 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package will install ceiling insulation in 2.9 million homes and help more than 300,000 additional households install a solar hot water system.

Environment Minister Peter Garrett said the unprecedented investment was a core component of the $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan.

"The package will support thousands of jobs for tradespeople and workers employed in manufacturing, distribution and installation during the global financial crisis. The benefits of this energy efficiency transformation will be felt for many years to come," Mr Garrett said.

"The Energy Efficient Homes Package will improve the energy rating of Australian homes - cutting energy waste, making them more comfortable and helping households save up to 40 per cent on their electricity bills.

"I encourage the millions of eligible Australians to take advantage of the package as we roll it out across the nation's suburbs over the next few years. This investment is a critical measure in our journey to a more energy efficient, sustainable Australia," Mr Garrett said.

The three components of the Energy Efficient Homes Package include:

Homeowner Insulation Program - installing ceiling insulation, capped at $1,600, to eligible home owner-occupiers with very little or no existing ceiling insulation.

Low Emission Assistance Plan for Renters - providing assistance to landlords and tenants, with up to $1,000 to install insulation in private rental properties.

Solar Hot Water Rebate - providing a $1,600 rebate to help households install a solar or heat pump hot water system to replace their old electric storage hot water system.

Alongside the Energy Efficient Homes Package, the Australian Government will also provide additional funding of $245.3 million in this Budget to meet the continued demand for the Solar Homes and Communities Plan until the program transitions into the new Solar Credits scheme . This initiative provides a rebate of up to $8,000 for households installing solar panels, and continues to drive the highest uptake of solar installations ever seen in the Australian community.

"This funding highlights the Government's commitment to making renewable energy technologies accessible and more affordable for Australian households," Mr Garrett said.

For more information

 

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Government Brings $8000 Solar Homes and Communities Rebate to Abrupt End.
(9 June 2009)

The Government has brought the Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP) $8000 rebate to an abrupt end today, three weeks ahead of Schedule. The scheme was due to end on the 30 June 2009. This does not affect the Federal or NSW State Government Rebates associated with the installation of Solar Hot Water Heaters or Ceiling Insulation.  These programs are due to end on 30 June 2012 and 30 September 2011 respectively.

The rationale for the Federal Governments drastic step in regard to the SHCP is the recent surge in applications for the $8000 grant which will see the Government spend several hundred million dollars more than it had allowed for in the budget. The Government has advised that there are currently more than 63,000 applications in the pipeline that will be progressively installed over the next nine months or so. Those applications that have already been received will be honoured and will still receive the government grant.

The Government has also advised that it will bring forward the new “Solar Credits” scheme which will provide for five times the RECs for PV systems up to 1.5 kW. Only systems installed from Tuesday 9 June 2009 that are not eligible for the SHCP rebate will be eligible for Solar Credits.

The implications for consumers contemplating replacing their existing Electric Hot Water Heater or installing insulation in their ceiling to take advantage of the Federal Government’s Energy Efficient Homes rebate of $1600 is clear – Act now as the opportunity may disappear sooner than expected!

Refer to the joint media release from Peter Garrett and Penny Wong for further information.

For more information