Solar Hot Water
There are two main sources of government assistance currently available that make NOW the time to act and install a Solar Hot Water or Solar Heat Pump Hot Water System. These include:
- The Federal Government’s Mandatory Renewable Energy Target legislation that provides assistance through the ability of suppliers, such as Dingo Solar, to provide an upfront point-of-sale discount in return for the new owner of a Solar Hot Water System assigning them their Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs); and
- The Federal Government’s Solar Hot Water Rebates or Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme providing rebates of between $600 and $1000 to homeowners and landlords regardless of income when replacing an existing electric hot water system.
Further information on each of these rebates is provided below. There are also some additional manufacturers rebates available for Solar Heat Pump and Gas Boosted Solar Hot Water systems. Please ask one of our friendly Dingo Solar Sales Consultants for further information or submit a web enquiry and we will ring you to discuss.
Don’t Worry…
When you purchase a solar hot water system through Dingo Solar we make the process of obtaining rebates, and your STCs point-of-sale discount, as easy as 1, 2, 3:
- We complete the application forms based on information received when you place your order;
- At the time of installation, we bring all the application forms for you to sign;
- You put the signed application forms in the postage paid envelopes provided and pop them in the post…. We provide the point-of-sale discount for STCs straight away and your Government rebates will be returned in around eight (8) weeks!
Once you make the decision to purchase from Dingo Solar… we look after everything else.
The Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets Legislation and STCs (Small-scale Technology Certifcates)
Federal Government Mandatory Renewable Energy Target
The aim of the Federal Government’s renewable energy target is to increase the production of renewable energy. Under the target, all electricity retailers and wholesale buyers have a legal liability to contribute towards the generation of additional renewable energy. They are called ‘liable parties’, and meet their legal obligation by acquiring renewable energy certificates.
Small-scale Technology Certificates
Small-scale technology certificates (STCs) can be created when:
- New solar water heaters are installed
- Renewable energy is produced by small generation units (ie Grid Connected Solar Power Systems) or power stations
STCs can be sold to agents or liable parties. The price of certificates varies because sellers and purchasers directly negotiate price and payment arrangements. STCs are not a government rebate or refund. More information…
Dingo Solar is a registered agent for small-scale technology certificates (STCs). In return for a point-of-sale discount on the price of your new hot water system, we require you to assign your STCs to us. This is as simple as signing a form. We then sell the STCs, created as a result of the installation of your hot water heater, on to a third party to recover the money from the discount.
Federal Government Rebate
The Federal Government’s Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme replaces the now discontinued Energy Efficient Homes Package (EEHP). It aims to encourage Australian homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their home through:
- a $1,000 rebate on the cost of installing a solar hot water system; OR
- a $600 rebate on the cost of installing a heat pump hot water system.
These rebates are non-means tested which means that all homeowners who meet the eligibility criteria can apply regardless of income earned. The rebates for Solar Hot Water can end at any time – so the time to act is NOW!
IMPORTANT – You are only eligible to apply for one rebate per address. This means that if you have already received the old EEHP rebate for Insulation you will not be eligible for the rebate for Solar Hot Water.
Eligibility Requirements for Solar Hot Water
To be eligible for the $1000 or $600 rebate the solar or solar heat pump hot water system installed must:
- replace an electric storage hot water system
- be purchased and installed on, or after 3 February 2009
- be a solar or heat pump hot water system that is eligible for at least 20 Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) at the time and place of installation
- be installed by a suitably qualified person (for example an electrician or plumber).
Eligible households include:
- An owner-occupier, landlord or tenant can apply for the rebate as long as the dwelling where the hot water system is installed is a principal place of residence.
Further information can be obtained by calling the Federal Government Hotline on 1800 808 571
State Government Rebate
The NSW Homesaver Rebates were established in 2010 and replaced the previous rebates available under the climate change fund. This program includes a $100 million Residential Rebate Program providing rebates for solar hot water systems and other environmentally efficient products.
In particular it provides for a rebate of $300 to switch from electric to solar, heat pump or gas hot water systems.
IMPORTANT: The NSW Solar Hot Water Rebate finished on the 30th June 2011. Customers who have had a system installed prior to this date have until the 30th September 2011 to get their application form to the government. Further information can be obtained by calling the NSW Government Environment Hotline on 1300 361 967
To be eligible the new hot water systems must:
- replace an existing electric hot water system;
- be for residential properties in NSW only;
- be purchased in full and installed between October 1, 2007 and June 30, 2011; and
- be installed by a licensed plumber.
NOTE: Hot water systems installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes and major renovations are not eligible for a rebate.
