Australian
Government Rebates
Since 1996 there have been several rebate schemes
available to Queensland residents for systems employing
renewable energy components.
Details of these schemes change frequently, so we suggest
you refer to the Queensland
Environmental Protection Agency website for the latest
details.
Learn more about Green Loans, a $300 million
five year program that will commence in early 2009.
Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP).
As of 13 May 2008, the Solar Homes and Communities Plan
has introduced a means test, with households with an annual
taxable income of less than $100,000 eligible for the rebates.
It now applies to all new (post Budget) rebate applications.
This means test is based on the annual taxable income of
the applicant and their spouse (if any) in the most recent
tax year prior to application.
The Australian Government has increased funding for the
Solar Homes and Communities Plan by
$25.6 million in 2008-09. The previous budget allocation
would have allowed up to 3000 household rebates to be paid.
The increased funding – now a fixed total of $56.6
million – will allow up to 6000 household rebates
to be paid next year.
Any system eligible for a rebate under the Renewable Remote
Power Generation Program is ineligible for the Solar Homes
and Communities Plan; applicants should discuss which rebate
to apply for with an accredited designer and installer.
Non solar inputs such as micro-hydro & wind are not
considered.
The Government will continue to meet demand under
the Solar Homes and Communities Plan, which will transition
to the Solar Credits scheme in mid 2009. Solar Credits will
replace the Solar Homes and Communities Plan as the Government’s
primary means of supporting the installation of solar power
systems. The Government will work with industry to ensure
a smooth transition to the new arrangements.
Solar Credits will replace the Solar Homes and
Communities Plan as the government’s primary means
of supporting the installation of household solar power
systems.
More information
on Renewable Energy Certificates
Solar credits
for small scale renewables fact sheet
Changes to schools
School rebates are no longer being offered under SHCP (i.e.,
applications from primary and secondary schools under the
old PVRP Schools and Communities program are now closed.
Instead, schools will have access to funding for the installation
of PV power systems under the new National Solar Schools
Program (NSSP) that is expected to be launched on 1 July
2008.
The Government is introducing an exciting new program that
provides greater flexibility than the current Green Vouchers
for Schools Program. The National Solar Schools Program
will take over from Green Vouchers from 1 July 2008.
The Government's vision is for solar panels to be on the
rooftop of every school in Australia. National Solar Schools
aims to make every Australian primary and secondary school
a solar school by 2015. National Solar Schools will offer
grants of up to $50 000 (GST exclusive) to install solar
power systems, rainwater tanks and a range of energy efficiency
measures such as:
- small wind turbine and hydro power generators
- solar hot water systems
- energy efficient lighting
- shade awnings
- skylights
- wall and ceiling insulation.
National Solar Schools will allow schools to choose the
most effective way to meet their energy and water efficiency
goals.
Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) SCHEME
FOR OFF-GRID POWER SYSTEMS
The Australian Government's Renewable Remote Power Generation
Program (RRPGP) provides financial support to increase the
use of renewable generation in remote parts of Australia
that presently rely on fossil fuel for electricity supply.
Any system eligible for a rebate under the Renewable Remote
Power Generation Program is ineligible for the Solar Homes
and Communities Plan; applicants should discuss which rebate
to apply for with an accredited designer and installer.
Residential and Medium-scale
(RM) sub-program.
The Residential and Medium-scale (RM) sub-program provides
rebates for households, communities, not-for-profit, business,
government and other organisations, in those areas of Australia
not close to a main grid, to support the installation of
renewable generation systems (where existing RRPGP sub-programs
are not available).
Rebate will be available at the rate of 50% of renewable
energy components, plus installation, at quoted price including
GST. Overall system quote price must be 30% renewable energy
components and installation.
For residential applications, the site must be the owner's
principal place of residence.
Minimum renewable 450 Watts new systems or up-grades are
included together (no distinction).
Battery replacement of existing systems not included. Generators
do not qualify. It will also be a
requirement that the customer has received a written estimate,
not neccesarily a quote, to run the mains that exceeds $30,000
(this amount is yet to be finalised and is likely to be
reviewed.
More
information and application forms
Renewable Energy Water Pumping
Sub-program
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program - Renewable
Energy Water Pumping sub-program provides rebates for business,
government and other incorporated organisations, to support
the installation of renewable energy water pumping systems
in those areas of Australia not close to a main-grid. The
sub-program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing
reliance on diesel fuel for remote water pumping applications.
More
information and application forms
To be eligible, applicants must have their Pre-purchase
Application approved by the administrator before buying
and installing new renewable energy water pumps.
