Government Incentives

Australian Capital Territory

All Australian homeowners are eligible for the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which offers Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STC) for solar power systems up to 100 kilowatts.

For every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (KWh) of estimated production between its installation date and 2030, solar power systems are awarded one STC. These credits can then be sold to electricity retailers, who have the legal obligation to purchase them under the Renewable Energy Target from the Clean Energy Regulator.

Each STC sells for around $35 to $40, and a 10-kilowatt system earns around 150 STCs (as at 2020). This generates an incentive of $5250 – $6000, equivalent to $525 – $600 per kilowatt of solar generation capacity. Solar power systems in Australia cost around $1600 per kilowatt before applying any incentives, so the STC incentive can reduce the upfront cost by roughly one-third.

Unfortunately, we don’t currently service the Australian Capital Territory, but we are one of Australia’s fastest-growing solar companies so we might be there soon!

To learn more, please visit the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator

New South Wales

On average, electricity prices in New South Wales are above 30 cents per kilowatt-hour, and peak prices in time-of-use tariffs often exceed 50 cents per kilowatt-hour. Solar power can be used to help offset these high electricity prices, making it an excellent investment for homes and businesses in New South Wales (NSW).

NSW does not have a local government solar incentive program (as at 2020). However, solar power systems up to 100 kilowatts can claim Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STC) from the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SERS), a national program open to all states and territories in Australia.

In addition to this scheme, the NSW Government offers loans for solar power systems with batteries, and for adding batteries to existing solar installations. There is also a trial program that will install 3-kilowatt solar power systems for 3,000 low-income households in specific regions of NSW.
When a solar power system is installed, it gets one STC for every 1,000-kilowatt-hour (kWh) of estimated production, between its installation date and the end of 2030. These STCs can then be sold to electricity retailers, who must accumulate a minimum amount under the Renewable Energy Target.

Each STC sells for around $35 to $40, and a 10-kilowatt system earns around 150 STCs (as at 2020). This generates an incentive of $5250 – $6000, equivalent to $525 – $600 per kilowatt of solar generation capacity. Solar power systems in Australia cost around $1600 per kilowatt before applying any incentives, so the STC incentive can reduce the upfront cost by roughly one-third.

More STCs may be earned if a solar power system is installed inland, closer to the Australian desert, as STCs are calculated based on system capacity, and local sunshine, so sunnier places get more STC per kilowatt of capacity.

Learn more about the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme by visiting the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator

Victoria

Australia has some of the highest electricity prices globally, and the state of Victoria is no exception. Many electricity consumers are charged more than 25 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), and some tariffs exceed 30 cents/kWh. However, solar panels achieve more significant savings when electricity is expensive, as every kilowatt-hour produced is worth more.

Victoria is the Australian state with the most solar incentive programs (as at 2020). Thanks to this, homeowners can expect low upfront costs when going solar, or even zero initial cost.

The nationwide Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) offers Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STC) for solar power systems up to 100 kilowatts. For every 1,000-kilowatt-hour (KWh) of estimated production between its installation date and 2030, solar power systems are awarded one STC. These credits can then be sold to electricity retailers, who have the legal obligation to purchase them under the Renewable Energy Target from the Clean Energy Regulator.

Each STC sells for around $35 – $40. Solar power systems in Victoria earn between 13 and 15 STCs per kilowatt of capacity, depending on their location. More STCs are earned in the northern areas of Victoria because they are sunnier. Based on these numbers, the incentive can range from $450 to $600 per kilowatt of solar capacity. Assuming an install price of $1600 per kilowatt, the STC incentive reduces costs by around28-37 per cent.

The Victorian government’s Solar Homes program offers three government incentive programs that cover solar panels, batteries, and solar water heaters. The program also offers interest-free loans for solar power systems, which can be combined with national and state incentives, making solar power systems very affordable. To learn more visit Solar Victoria

Learn more about the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme by visiting the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator

Queensland

As of 2020, two government solar incentive programs are available in Queensland:
• The nationwide Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SERS) offers Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STC) for solar power systems up to 100 kilowatts.
• The Queensland Solar for Rentals program, which offers incentives for landlords.

The STC incentive is available in all states and territories of Australia. For every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (KWh) of estimated production between its installation date and 2030, solar power systems are awarded one STC. These credits can then be sold to electricity retailers, who have the legal obligation to purchase them under the Renewable Energy Target from the Clean Energy Regulator.

Each STC sells for around $35 to $40, and a 10-kilowatt system earns around 150 STCs (as at 2020). This generates a incentive of $5250 – $6000, equivalent to $525 – $600 per kilowatt of solar generation capacity. Solar power systems in Australia cost around $1600 per kilowatt before applying any incentive, so the STC incentive can reduce the upfront cost by roughly one-third.

More STCs may be earned if a solar power system is installed inland, closer to the Australian desert, as STCs are calculated based on system capacity, and local sunshine, so sunnier places get more STC per kilowatt of capacity.

Learn more about the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme by visiting the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator

South Australia

Electricity prices in Australia are among the highest in the world, and South Australia (SA) has the highest tariffs in the country. Electricity prices above 35 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) are typical in the state, and some customers are charged over 40 cents/kWh. However, this also means that solar panels achieve significant savings, and many SA homes and businesses use them for this reason.

South Australia has been leading some of the largest innovations in solar in Australia. It’s utility-scale Tesla battery, with 100 megawatts (MW)
of power output and 129,000 kWh of storage is among the largest of its type in the world. South Australia is also working on a virtual power plant that involves 50,000 households being equipped with solar panels and batteries, to accumulate 250 MW of generation capacity and 650,000 kWh of storage. Using a smart platform, all these small-scale systems will act like a single power plant.

There are two main incentive programs for solar power systems in South Australia. You can claim a solar incentive from the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), where the incentive is based on your system capacity and local sunshine. South Australia also offers the Home Battery Scheme, with incentives up to $6,000 for energy storage systems. The SRES is a national program, while the Home Battery Scheme is local.

South Australia does not have a local government incentive, or incentive program for solar power; however, solar power systems up to 100 kilowatts can claim Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STC) from the SRES. For every 1,000 kWh of estimated production from your solar power system, you earn one Small-Scale Technology Certificate (STC). The production is estimated from the installation year to 2030. The Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator requires electricity retailers to purchase STCs as a way to incentivise clean power. Each STC can be sold for $35-$40.

With the average yearly rate of sunshine in South Australia, a solar power system in Adelaide and surrounding areas earns around 15 STCs for every kilowatt of installed capacity. This results in a cash incentive of $525 to $600 per kilowatt. Assuming a cost of $1600 per kilowatt before incentives, the incentive reduces the upfront expense by over 30 per cent. The incentive from STCs is higher in the western and northern portions of South Australia, as they are sunnier than the southeast.

Learn more about the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme by visiting the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator

Tasmania

Unfortunately, we don’t currently service Tasmania, but we are one of Australia’s fastest-growing solar companies so we might be there soon!

Tasmanians are eligible for the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which offers Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STC) for solar power systems up to 100 kilowatts. For more information, please visit the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator

Western Australia

Western Australia (WA) has a unique electric power system compared with other states and territories. However, electricity tariffs are high, so solar power provides an excellent return on investment for this reason.

Unlike other states in Australia, most homeowners in Western Australia cannot choose their electricity provider; however, electricity prices are set and regulated by the local government.

Synergy is the only electricity provider for most households in Perth and the surrounding cities. This area is served by an electricity grid called the South West Interconnected System (SWIS). Only consumers who use more than 50,000-kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year can choose their electricity provider, but the average WA home uses less than 6,000 kWh per year. Homeowners outside of the SWIS region can select their electricity provider, but most areas are only served by Horizon Power.

All residential clients of Synergy and Horizon Power are charged 28.8229 cents per kWh, plus a fixed fee of 103.3263 cents per day.
In the case of Synergy, there is also a time-of-use tariff available:
– 54.8142 cents/kWh peak
– 15.1002 cents/kWh off-peak
– 28.7076 cents/kWh shoulder
– 103.3263 cents/day – the fixed-rate tariff

Western Australia does not have local solar incentive programs, but the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) offers nationwide incentives and can reduce the upfront cost of solar power systems by over 30 per cent. For every 1,000 kWh of estimated production from your solar power system, you earn one Small-Scale Technology Certificate (STC). The production is estimated from the installation year to 2030. The Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator requires electricity retailers to purchase STCs as a way to incentivise clean power. Each STC can be sold for $35-$40.

Homeowners in some parts of WA can also sell surplus production from their solar panels at high prices, through the Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (REBS). Solar power systems in the Perth region usually get 15 STCs for every kilowatt of installed capacity. For example, a 6 kW installation gets 91 STCs as of 2020, equivalent to an incentive of $3,185 – $3,640. If the price before incentives is $9,600, the STC incentive reduces upfront costs by more than one-third.

The incentive is even higher in the central and northern regions of Western Australia, where they get more sunshine than Perth. As a result, solar panels produce more electricity during the 11 years, and they earn more STCs. A solar power system installation that gets 15 STC per kilowatt of capacity in Perth may earn 17-18 STC per kilowatt in sunnier parts WA.

Consider the following examples:
– Kalbarri is sunnier than Perth, and a 6-kW solar system earns 101 STC as of 2020.
– Newman is even sunnier than Kalbarri, and a 6-kW solar system earns 107 STC.

In these cases, the incentive increases according to the additional STCs earned. Assuming a price range of $35-$40 per STC, the Kalbarri installation would get a incentive of $3,535 – $4,040, while the Newman installation would get $3,745 – $4,280.

Learn more about the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme by visiting the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator