There has been a huge uptick in the usage of solar energy, one of the greenest and most sustainable energy sources available. Although solar systems are known to carry a substantial upfront cost, many Australians aren’t aware that they can save money on a solar installation. As an incentive to encourage people to consider installing solar panels, you can claim a solar rebate Melbourne wide and beyond, where whichever rebate you apply for is an upfront saving off of the cost of your solar system. Victorians rejoice – solar power installation melbourne is more affordable than you think! Here’s our guide on what rebates are available and how to claim the solar system rebate in Victoria.
Renewable Energy Certificate
There are several types of solar rebates for a variety of solar products including batteries and panels as well as solar hot water systems. Small scale renewable energy schemes support small scale installations, and these rebates are offered to the public in the form of a certificate from the REC (Renewable Energy Certificate). The catch is that you do have to become a member to claim this specific incentive. The government also offers the Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) which are certificates given to homeowners when they install a solar system or small renewable energy system in their home.
Eligibility
With regards to eligibility, in Australia you need to meet the following basic requirements to claim the solar panel rebate:
- Be a resident of Australia and live in a climate region postcode
- Own a small-scale renewable energy system such as a solar panel system
In Victoria, the eligibility requirements for solar panels are as follows:
- Be the owner/occupier of the property
- Your property has to be valued under $3m
- You can’t have a solar system already installed
- Your household taxable income must be under $180,000 per year
You must meet these requirements to qualify, otherwise, you won’t be able to claim the solar panel rebate.
To be eligible for the solar battery rebate in Victoria, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Get pre-approval from your Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) to confirm that it’s safe to connect a battery
- Be the owner/occupier of the property
- Your property has to be valued under $3m
- You can’t have a solar battery system already installed
- Your household taxable income must be under $180,000 per year
- Owners have to agree to a free safety inspection if selected
Types of Rebates
Currently, both the State and Federal Governments are offering these incentives as rebates on solar panels and batteries, so now is a great time to think of investing in solar energy. Although the word ‘rebate’ is used in this context, it should instead be regarded as a financial incentive or subsidy, usually provided by the government. You can claim rebates from the State and Federal Governments simultaneously.
The different types of rebates include:
- Solar Panel Rebate – the main financial incentive for homeowners looking to invest in solar energy by installing solar panels. A ‘discount’ is given for the upfront cost of the solar system as well as installation, where the discount usually comes in the form of STCs which can then be claimed by the homeowner or retailer
- Solar Battery Storage Rebate – this rebate comes as either a subsidy or grant supplied by the government to assist with paying the upfront cost of the solar battery
- Solar Hot Water Rebate – this is another financial incentive for homeowners, which also comes in the form of STCs.
In Victoria, the solar homes program offers a solar panel rebate of up to $1850 off the cost of the solar system and installation. As we’ve mentioned before, your chosen solar installer will claim the rebate on your behalf.
The solar homes program also offers rebates for solar batteries, offering a discount of up to $4174 off the upfront cost of the battery. The rebate will again be claimed by your solar installer on your behalf before being deducted from your quote. Check the listed postcodes as only certain locations qualify.
For more information on solar rebates in Victoria, Solar Victoria is a great source if you want to learn more before you install a solar system. If you require further assistance, get in touch with our team here at Sunstainable.
