Rebates Information
There are several rebate and incentive schemes operating in Victoria. Eligibility depends upon location of the property, the type of system being installed and the type of system it replaces. In many cases homeowners will be eligible for 3 forms of payment. Total value can be up to $3500. In new homes only STC’s will apply.
Contact Greenworld for information on the rebates that apply in your situation.
The following is a summary of the various rebate schemes applicable for Solar Water Heaters in Victoria.
1. Small Scale Technology Certificates (STC's) Formerly known as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECS).
Approved solar water heaters are eligible for STC’s. The number of STC’s applicable is based on the calculated energy saving of the system. Australia is divided by postcodes into 4 zones for this purpose and a different number of STC’s applies in each zone. Melbourne and Southern Victoria are in Zone 4.
Owners of approved systems can assign their rights to create STC ’s to an authorised trader in return for a monetary payment. The value varies with market conditions.
STC’s apply for complete systems installed in both new and existing homes. The other rebate schemes outlined below do not apply in new homes.
For more information go to www.orer.gov.au
2. Federal Government rebate
A federal rebate of $1000 is available for homeowners who replace an existing electric water heater with a solar water heater that is eligible for at least 20 STC's. This rebate applies only if the system is installed in the principal residence of the occupier ie the owner or tenant.
The federal rebate is not available if a rebate has been received for installing insulation under the Federal Insulation program that finished in February 2010. In these cases a Victorian Government rebate is applicable.
Further information is available at www.environment.gov.au/rebates
3. Victorian Energy Efficency Certificates (VEECS)
VEECS apply when an existing water heater is replaced by a solar boosted system in a residential building. The number of VEECS applicable will depend upon the model being installed, the system it is replacing and the postcode of the installation address. Calculators are available to determine the no of VEECS applicable for 3 scenarios as follows.
a. Electric boosted system replacing an electric system
b. Gas boosted system replacing an electric system
c. Gas boosted system replacing a gas system
The number of VEECS for each scenario is based on the energy saving expected in that application. VEECS can be assigned to an authorised trader in a similar manner to STC's.
Further information is available at www.esc.vic.gov.au
4. Victorian Government Rebates
Rebates under these schemes are for supply and installation and are provided at the point of sale. The retailer must apply for pre-approval of the rebate before the system is installed and then complete the installation within 30 days.
Approved solar systems attract rebates of up to $1500 in the Metropolitan area and $1600 in Regional areas. They apply when a gas boosted solar system is installed to replace an existing gas or solar water heater. If reticulated gas is available at the property a gas boosted system must be installed to qualify for the rebate. The rebates apply for dwellings that are permanently occupied by an owner occupier or a tenant who is responsible for the energy bills.
A Victorian rebate can also be claimed if a resident is replacing an electric system but is not eligible for the Federal solar rebate because a rebate has previously been paid under the Federal Insulation scheme that finished in February 2010.
If the solar water heater is the first appliance in the premises to be connected to natural gas an additional rebate of $200 is available.
All Victorian towns and suburbs are allocated as either regional or metropolitan. Any address can be checked on the Sustainability Victoria website to determine which scheme applies. Victorian rebates are additional to any payments received from STC's and VEECS.
Several conditions apply for installations to qualify for Victorian rebates. The collector must face between 60 degrees either side of due North.
Further information is available at www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au
Disclaimer - This information is supplied by Greenworld Pty Ltd as a guide for customers and is believed to be correct at time of writing. However no guarantee of its accuracy is given and customers should check the relevant websites for full details and up to date information.