The NSW government has a rebate system in place for solar panels that are designed to keep the cost of installation as low as possible. What are the details?
In NSW, the typical rebate or discount on a solar power system is $3,250, depending on where you live and how much power your household uses. The size of the solar power system also determines how much money you may earn through the rebate.
The most popular solar system in NSW is a 5kW one with a $2,994 federal incentive when the STC price is $39.40 today. This rebate does not cover the entire expense of putting solar panels in place.
The upfront cost may be up to six times greater than the rebate, which means you might not see any savings for years! There are many questions about solar panels and their costs. Are they worth the investment?
What kind of savings can I expect to see each year on my utility bill, both now and into perpetuity after installation is complete? You’re not alone; these things fascinate us at GoSolarQuotes! That’s why we’ve compiled this guide with all sorts of helpful information (and links), including cost calculators for different areas, to make it easier than ever before to find out if going green makes sense for you or your home.
If there’s one thing that everyone wants to know when considering an energy shift, it’s: What would happen if I switched from fossil fuels like coal and oil to things like solar and wind?
How Much Is the Solar Rebate In NSW?
At current rates, a 5kW solar kit with small-scale technology certificates under the point of sale discount plan is worth around $2,994 without taking into account any state-level rebates and discounts.
Look at the following three highlights from the rebate estimate above: location, size of the solar kit installed, and current small-scale technology certificates value in the open market.
These three elements have a lot of significance in calculating solar discounts in New South Wales, and we shall go through them in greater detail now:
What factors influence my rebate?
The cost of a small-scale certificate
- In NSW, how do you determine STCs?
- What is the STC rebate scheme for New South Wales?
- What are the anticipated benefits of taking advantage of these rebates?
Are there any state-level solar rebates in New South Wales?
- Solar for disadvantaged families in New South Wales – What is Solar? How does it work? Who is eligible?
1. What are the STC rules in New South Wales?
From the start, the small-scale technology certificate solar scheme (a financial incentive created to encourage Australians to use clean energy) was intended to consider physical location. In basic terms, this implies that a resident of the Northern territories or Outback may receive somewhat more STCs per kW than you in New South Wales.
NSW is placed in zone 3 of the STC solar discount plan, with a 1.382 STC zone rating. The Aussie Clean Energy Council will work out how many STCs you can receive as a resident of New South Wales-based on postcodes as geographical references.
2. Preferred system size Installed in New South Wales
The larger the solar power system, the greater the rebate, but it’s not worth overdoing it.
A 6.6kW solar panel installation is the most popular solar system in NSW. This is adequate for the average house’s energy demands.
That is, while it may appear that you will be at a disadvantage in terms of refunds if you purchase a smaller solar kit, this isn’t always the case. Refunds are based on the overall cost of your solar equipment, and smaller kits will almost certainly get an equal discount to cover the initial expenditure.
3. A Special Note about the STC Value- Current Rate
As of the time of updating this article, Greenmarkets valued STC at $39.50. The STC value in the Australian solar market is primarily determined by demand and supply forces. The STC value varies depending on the time you install your solar power system.
It will have an impact on the amount of money you save through an STC-based rebate (given as a point of sale discount).
The table below summarizes the federal solar tax credits you would receive in New South Wales if all three criteria are considered. (Keep in mind that these are only estimates, and they have been produced based on current market prices and deeming periods.)
| Solar System Size | Number of STCs | Rebate | Gross system cost | Net price after rebate |
| 1.5Kw | 15 | $591 | $3,541 | $2,950 |
| 3Kw | 45 | $1,773 | $5,463 | $3,690 |
| 5kw | 76 | $2,994 | $7,444 | $4,450 |
| 6Kw | 91 | $3,585 | $8,751 | $5,166 |
| 7Kw | 106 | $4,176 | $9,926 | $5,750 |
| 10Kw | 152 | $5,988 | $14,278 | $8,290 |
The federal government may offer different incentives in certain areas, such as postcodes surrounding zone 3 border towns.
It’s crucial to learn the specifics of how much you’ll be able to deduct at the point of sale from your solar installer or vendor. Keep an eye on your application’s current STC value and timetable, too. The following computations are based on an 11-year attribution period and a current STC value of $39.40.
What Is the Maximum Solar Rebate I Can Get?
NSW solar discounts may be found in federal STCs and locally funded NSW government STCs, as previously said. However, rebates are not a precise science.
While it may be challenging to nail down an exact number, you should anticipate at least 50% of the cost covered by one or both of the rebates processed by your solar vendor or installer.
However, a look at historical and current figures for both local and STC rebates suggests that you will get about $2,500 in NSW as a rebate.
For example, in Australia, a typical 5Kw solar power system might cost less than $7000 with STC rebates claimed at the point of purchase as discounts. This will come as no surprise to you, but it is considerably less expensive than what many people outside of Australia would pay for a similar system.
For example, In Australia, a solar power system with similar capabilities as ours would cost anything from $11,000 to $13,000 in neighboring New Zealand; this is due to Australian subsidies for solar installations being cut.
With falling worldwide solar costs and local NSW incentives for things like battery storage and Feed-in Tariffs, it’s easy to see why there’s been such a surge in solar panel installations in NSW. You will recoup some of your money with the Feed-in tariff.
To learn how much rebate you may get in NSW, ask about rebates available and any quotes for solar goods. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on the Energy NSW website, and Clean Energy Council updates, in addition to watching the Australian Clean Energy Council’s homepage.
When Does the Rebate End in NSW?
As per the project’s master plan, the STC-based solar rebate is due to terminate in 2030. The government anticipates that it will have met its green energy goals and that 100% of solar items will be utilized in Australia by this time. This informs us about the upcoming reduction dates.
In New South Wales, am I Eligible for a Solar Rebate?
Almost certainly. It is, without a doubt, safe to say that any resident of Australia qualifies for a solar rebate. With the risk of stating the obvious, NSW citizens are entitled to both federal and local solar refunds, in addition to any state-level subsidies.
You may be eligible for federal STC subsidies and the solar for low-income households’ rebate, which is still in its experimental stages.
The subsidy requirements for the STC solar rebates in NSW are as follows:
- Within 12 months after applying for certificates, you must install and connect your solar photovoltaic system. Solar installations completed over a year ago to the time the certificates are claimed are not valid.
- In Australia, the solar photovoltaic system must fulfill high-quality standards.
- The authorities must have certified the installation firm. The installer must also have shown competence in complying with the Clean Energy Council of Australia’s standards.
- According to the Clean Energy Council’s instructions, the installation should be done.
- You will be obligated to follow safety standards established by federal and NSW authorities.
- Installed solar photovoltaic systems must not have a nominal capacity of more than 100Kw and a yearly output of more than 250Mwh.
Fortunately, most of these criteria may be met at the vendor level as long as you contact one who is accredited and able to claim your solar rebates on your behalf. Most customers want the solar company to handle the rebate and offer it as a point of sale discount.
You may also submit an application online through the clean energy council. This cuts down on the amount of time and effort you would have to invest in gathering documentation and going through the complicated, sometimes labyrinthine, clean energy council application procedure.
Solar for Rural and Low-Income Households: NSW Solar Rebates
The New South Wales state-level solar incentive program known as “solar for low-income households” is another appealing option. This method is similar to what Victorians and Australian Capital Territory residents have been using for years.
The trial rebate program is designed to assist underprivileged people in installing solar panels and lowering their power expenses, according to information on Energy NSW (a government website providing energy-related data).
It’s not yet clear how much you may get back as a rebate through the program, according to what has been revealed thus far.
Do You Qualify for the NSW Solar For Low-Income Rebate?
Here’s how to know if you’re eligible for the New South Wales government’s solar pilot rebate program.
You live in New South Wales, Australia.
You don’t live in a condo or a retirement village.
You should be getting your Low-income Household Rebate– If you haven’t heard of it, the low-income rebate is a broad rebate available to particular groups of people who want help lowering their power bills in New South Wales. You may qualify for these rebates if you:
- You will need a valid (non-expired) Australian Commonwealth Department of Human Services or Veterans’ Affairs identification card.
- At your house, have someone on an authorized life-support machine.
- Have any special medical requirements?
- You’re a senior citizen.
If you’re a pensioner or have a Gold card from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
You don’t already have a solar PV system at home.
You’ve established that you consume at least 3,600 kWh of electricity each year to develop the need for a solar PV system.
Solar for Low-Income Rebate in NSW, the Solar for Low-Income rebate is available in the following regions:
- The North Coast
- Central Coast
- The South Coast
- Illawarra- Shoalhaven
- Sydney-South
The government of New South Wales has a website called Energy NSW, where you can apply for this state’s rebate. The NSW government aims to provide solar rebates to at least 3000 homes.
Note: The number of homeowners that can benefit from the program is small, and only certain solar providers are qualified. For example, there are only two installers who have registered to handle solar installations under the NSW government’s underprivileged citizens’ rebate program at this time.
In comparison, anybody in Australia may access government STC subsidies and carried out by the vast majority of solar firms.
Do I Need Council Approval to Install Solar Panels In New South Wales?
One may need authority approval to install solar panels any location in Australia. Relevant companies dealing with solar energy and solar installations will require to carry out investigation and determine that safety measures are attended to. This is crucial for grid-installed residential solar installations.
Conclusion
The NSW Government offers a rebate for solar installations to help homeowners reduce their electricity bills. This incentive works by paying up to a specific cost towards the cost of installing a photovoltaic system as long as it meets specific requirements.
To be eligible for this rebate, you must meet all the requirements needed for the New South Wales government’s solar pilot rebate program. If these conditions sound like they apply to you, then find out more about the solar rebate in NSW here!