Not sure what the NSW Government solar rebate looks like in 2021? We’re here to help.

Solar systems and solar panels capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, in turn reducing the amount of electricity you need direct from power grids and thus lowering your household’s overall energy expenditure. In NSW especially, solar power is an appealing option due to long hours of sunshine, high electricity prices and the attractive NSW govt solar panel rebates.

What Is the NSW Government Solar Rebate?

The New South Wales (NSW) government has set a goal: for NSW to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 as part of the Net Zero Plan Stage 1. The foundation upon which this plan relies on is, of course, solar energy. As such, the NSW government is offering considerable financial incentives to households who install solar panel and solar battery systems. With solar power system prices continuing to fall, there has never been a better time to make the switch to solar.

To obtain the complete picture of just how much money you can save, the solar panel experts at Captain Green will run you through all of the available schemes and incentives, making this your one-stop guide to the government solar rebate NSW.

Considerations Solar Energy Investments

 

Government Solar Rebate NSW (Small Scale Technology Certificates)

When you purchase a solar panel system in New South Wales, you are eligible to receive the NSW government solar rebate, which can cut the cost of your solar system by up to 33%.

The NSW government solar rebate consists of ‘small-scale technology certificates’ (STCs). STC’s are created when a renewable energy system is installed. The number of STC’s within the NSW solar rebate 2021 relies on the total amount of energy produced. Typically, one STC is created for every megawatt-hour of production capacity in the system.

The number of STC’s that you are individually allocated is dependent on how much energy your solar panel system will generate over its’ lifetime. Hence, the larger the system, the greater the rebate. The power you generate is also dependant on your location – panels with greater exposure to sunlight will create more energy than panels that are affected by the environment around them.

The average government solar rebate NSW is currently worth about $600 per kW of installed solar panels. However, the NSW govt solar panel rebates are reducing every year. If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint whilst aiding financial freedom, the NSW solar rebate 2021 is an attractive proposition.

Your solar panels and solar batteries need to be on the Clean Energy Council’s (CEC) approved product list to receive the rebate. In addition, a CEC accredited installer must be the one to have installed the system. Your solar panel installer will ordinarily decrease the purchase price of your solar power system by the total value of the STC’s that your system will create. This adjustment is based on the value of the STC’s at time of purchase.

Government Solar Rebate NSW Example

A 6.6kW system located in Castle Hill, NSW will cost $10,362. After the government solar rebate NSW is applied ($3,374.80), the total net cost of the system would be $6,987.20.

Government Solar Rebate NSW (Feed-in Tariff)

If you install a solar system without a solar battery, you can feed any excess energy generated back into the main power grid. Proceeding this, your electricity supplier will pay a ‘feed-in tariff’ to you – a payment for the electricity that comes in the form of a credit on your power bill.

It is important to note that each energy supplier can charge a special feed-in tariff rate to you. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has cited that the fair value for exported excess solar power in 2020/21 ranges from 6.0 to 7.3 cents per kilowatt hour. This is a benchmark rate for retailers to follow; however, retailers are not required to follow it. As such, it is essential to research and compare the available plans across Australian energy retailers. Using the NSW Government’s Energy Made Easy tool, you can compare retailers’ plans. A price floor is not currently in place in NSW.

Some retailers will offer a higher feed-in tariff rate but charge more for electricity. To get the best deal, consider the retailers offer as a whole. We recommend analysing the following components:

  • Feed-in tariff rate
  • Daily supply charge
  • Cost of electricity
  • Late payment fees
  • ‘Pay on time’ discounts

The best feed-in tariff rates in NSW typically come with strict conditions. Certain retailers may also provide you with a discount or premium rate if you switch providers.

As of the moment, the best feed-in tariff rates in NSW are as follows:

  1. Dodo Power & Gas: 11.6c
  2. Energy Australia: 10.5c
  3. Power Direct: 10.2c
  4. Click Energy: 10.0c
  5. Powershop: 9.5c

Advantages of Solar Energy

Government Solar Rebate NSW (Empowering Homes: Solar Battery Loan Program)

The NSW government solar rebate has purely subsidised solar panels in the past. Now, it also includes incentives for solar batteries as of 2020.

The solar battery program is called ‘Empowering Homes’ – a new initiative to assist homeowners in investing in solar batteries. If eligible, the program gives access to an interest-free loan to either add a solar battery to an existing solar power system or install an entirely new solar battery system.

The NSW government solar battery rebate is expected to see 300,000 solar battery systems installed over the next ten years. This will help the NSW government invest up to $3.2 billion in clean energy, reduce emissions, and create new job opportunities for the general population. These systems will offer clean and renewable energy whilst allowing you to cut down on your energy bills.

The NSW government solar battery rebate offers an interest-free loan of:

  • $14,000 toward a solar panel and solar battery system (repayable over eight years)

OR

  • $9,000 toward fitting a solar battery system to an existing solar panel system (repayable over ten years subject to terms)

To receive this offer, you must be an NSW resident with an annual total household income of no more than $180,000 and reside within the eligible postcodes.

You can apply if you live within the following regions:

  • Bathurst
  • Blayney
  • City of Blue Mountains
  • Cabonne
  • City of Central Coast
  • City of Cessnock
  • Dungog
  • City of Hawkesbury
  • Kempsey
  • City of Lake Macquarie
  • City of Lithgow
  • City of Maitland
  • Mid-Coast
  • Mid-Western
  • Muswellbrook
  • City of Newcastle
  • Oberon
  • City of Orange
  • Port Macquarie-Hastings
  • Port Stephens
  • Singleton
  • Tamworth
  • Upper Hunter Shire
  • Walcha

 If you’d like to learn more about the installation of solar batteries, get in touch with Captain Green today.

Government Solar Rebate NSW (Solar for Low Income Households)

The solar for low-income households program affords eligible households the ability to access clean energy through free solar systems provided by the NSW government.

The NSW government has claimed that these free 3-kilowatt solar systems can help reduce a households total electricity bill by up to $600 per year.

 To be eligible, the following criteria must be met:

  1. Currently receiving the low-income household rebate
  2. Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years
  3. Hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
  4. Own your house
  5. Not already have a solar system
  6. Live in one of the following regions:
    1. Central Coast
    2. North Coast
    3. Sydney – South
    4. Illawarra – Shoalhaven
    5. South Coast

To receive the solar system, recipients must agree to:

  1. Forego the low-income household rebate (valued at $285 per year) for ten years
  2. Allow your electricity retailer to send electricity bills to the NSW government
  3. Be responsible for the maintenance of your solar system
  4. Notify the government if you move to a new house or change electricity retailer in those ten years
  5. Contact your electricity retailer to arrange for a smart meter and pay any attached costs

 

NSW Government Solar Rebate Points

Looking to Make the Switch?

Now that you’re aware of the financial benefits the NSW government solar rebate can offer, it’s time to invest in renewable energy. Not only will your bank account look healthier, but you’ll be doing wonders for the environment. Captain Green is one of Australia’s top solar companies and has installed over 26,000 solar panels nationwide over the last ten years.

With a passion for quality service and environmental sustainability, Captain Green is driven in making a positive difference using solar technology. If you’d like to learn more about our Solar Panels, make an enquiry and call us today on 1300 361 682.