Reduce YOUR costs with solar government incentives and rebates
Government incentives are available across most of the products we sell.
You can now look forward to saving even MORE on energy management products that will give you greater savings every day.
Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) are a follow-on from the popular Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) scheme that provided funds toward the cost of all types of solar systems. STCs are a commodity that contribute toward Australia’s overall Renewable Energy Target, and are available on all accredited solar hot water and solar power systems.
The STC system is similar to owning shares. Each solar system is rated with a different number of certificates, depending on the size, type and classification of that product. These certificates become live once the system is installed and is producing renewable energy.
The STCs will then be traded through either the trading market or the Federal Government Clearing House (for a dollar amount per certificate), where they will be bundled together and sold onto the large electricity generators.
There are two different ways to see financial benefits from your STCs.
1) Trade your STCs at the time of sale
The company you buy the system from will give you the option to sign over your certificates at the time of sale for the market value. As it is a commodity market, the supply and demand of the STCs available directs the price, and this can fluctuate day-to-day depending on industry movement.
The current value has swayed between $20 – $30 per certificate, and you’ll find that this is the most common price traded at the time of sale. But when selling your STCs, you should always ask the price of the trade and the current market value of the traded certificates through a commercial certificate trader.
2) Trade the STCs yourself through the Federal Government Clearing House
As of the 1st of January 2011, a convenient and more lucrative option became available for individuals and companies, who can now trade their STCs directly through the Federal Governments STC Clearing House for a set price of $40 per certificate.
This involves a simple three-step process of registering, lodging and selling the STCs with the REC Registry online, in order to access the top price for your STCs. Some of the points to consider if you choose this trading method are that waiting periods for payment can be up to 12 months, and there’s a one-off registration payment of $20 to access this service.
Despite these factors, this option is still money in the bank. Here’s an example:
1.5kW solar power system in Brisbane has 93 STCs
Trade to Solar Supplier – 93 x $25 = $2,325.00
Trades Certificates Yourself – 93 x $40 = $3,720.00
Financial difference to you – $1,395.00
At The Solar Guys, we provide our customers with a full ‘How-To’ guide and phone support if they wish to trade their STCs themselves. We have helped the majority of our customers with this option, and have seen success with a greater return from this incentive scheme.
You should always insist on transparency of trading figures at the time of sale. It’s important you understand all your options in order to get the most back from your investment.
Federal Government Solar Hot Water Rebate
The Solar Hot Water Rebate Program is a Federal Government rebate, worth $1,000 for eligible installations of complete solar hot water systems (retrofits do not qualify) and $600 for eligible installations of heat pumps.
To be eligible for the rebate, your hot water system must:
- Be replacing an electric storage hot water system
- Be purchased and installed after 3rd February 2009
- Be a solar or heat pump hot water system that is eligible for at least 20 Small Scale Technology Certificate (STCs) at the time of purchase at the installation address
- Be installed by a qualified plumber
- Have a warranty of at least five years.
For the household to be eligible for the rebate:
- The dwelling where the hot water system is installed must be a principal place of residence
- Must NOT have accessed the Federal Government $1600 Insulation Rebate in 2010.
This rebate takes around 12 weeks to be processed and paid back into your nominated bank account. The company you bought the system from is unable to claim the rebate back on your behalf.
We provide all required paperwork and installation details to our customers, including the sign off by both the registered plumbers and electricians at the time of installation.
Queensland Government Solar Hot Water Rebate
The Queensland State Government is coordinating a Solar Hot Water rebate program to encourage households to change from their old electric systems. This scheme is worth $1,000 for pensioners and low-income earner cardholders, and $600 for all other households. The money can be used to install either an accredited solar hot water system or heat pump system at their place of residence.
To be eligible for the rebate, a hot water system must:
- Replace an electric storage hot water system
- Be purchased and installed after 13th April 2010
- Be installed by a qualified plumber and electrician
- Have components that meet minimum warranty length requirements (storage tank 5 years, solar collectors 5 years, circulating pump 2 years, and labour 1 year)
For the household to be eligible for the rebate:
- The dwelling where the hot water system is installed must be a principal place of residence
All further requirements can be found on the Office of Clean Energy website – http://www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au.
This rebate takes around 12 weeks to be processed and paid back into your nominated bank account. The company you bought the system from is unable to claim the rebate back on your behalf.
We provide all required paperwork and installation details to our customers, including the sign off by both the registered plumbers and electricians at the time of installation.
Energex South East Queensland Pool Pump Incentive
Energex have introduced an incentive program throughout selected areas of South East Queensland, to encourage households to look at more energy efficient and financially viable ways of operating their pool filtration systems. The Pool Pump Rewards program is a great way to get involved in bringing the cost of your pool pump down today.
These incentives include an EFTPOS gift card and are open to all households in the Energex network area in South East Queensland.
The most important eligibility requirement is the use of accredited tradespeople to complete the work and sign off on all required paperwork. We work with all our customers to complete paperwork and claim back this incentive back.
More information can be found on the Energex website at http://www.energex.com.au or call The Solar Guys today to organise a free site inspection and quote.