Solar Hot Water Rebate
The Australian Government is offering a rebate of $1,600 to install a solar hot water system or $1,000 to install a heat pump hot water system. This is to help eligible home-owners, landlords or tenants to replace their electric storage hot water systems with solar or heat pump hot water systems. This offer is part of the Government's Energy Efficient Homes Package which came into effect on 3 February 2009.
The Solar Hot Water Rebate will help people save money on their power bills and reduce their household's greenhouse gas emissions. Water heating is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from the average Australian home, accounting for around 25 per cent of home energy use (excluding the family car).
Installing a climate friendly hot water system can save a family up to $700 off their energy bills each year.
Further information
Eligibility requirements
The Solar Hot Water Rebate is only available to people who have not previously received assistance to install ceiling insulation through the Home Insulation Program or the Homeowner Insulation Program at this address.
The $1,000 rebate for heat pump hot water systems is for systems purchased and installed on or after 5 September 2009. Heat pump hot water systems purchased or installed on or prior to 4 September 2009 may be eligible for a $1,600 rebate if proof of purchase or installation prior to this date is included with the application.
Full details of eligibility are provided in the Solar Hot Water Rebate guidelines. Key criteria are listed below.
Applicants rebuilding following the February 2009 Victorian bushfires
The Solar Hot Water Rebate has been opened up to people who lost their homes in the February 2009 Victorian bushfires and have rebuilt. The rebate is not usually available for people building new homes, but the Government is making an exception for homes destroyed or left uninhabitable in the February 2009 fires.
Information regarding the rebate for February 2009 Victorian bushfire applicants
Important eligibility requirements for Queensland
Access to the Queensland Government's Solar Hot Water Program relies on applicants being eligible for the Australian Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate.
If you have already received assistance under the Australian Government's Home Insulation Program or Homeowner Insulation Program you will not be eligible for either the Australian Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate or the Queensland Government's Solar Hot Water Program.
Please contact the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program for further information on 13 25 23 or visit: www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/queensland_solar_hot_water_program.cfm
Eligible systems
To be eligible for the rebate, a hot water system must:
- replace an electric storage hot water system (Exception: if your home was destroyed in the February 2009 Victorian bushfires, you may be eligible for the rebate for your newly rebuilt home on the same site, provided the home also includes a 2000 litre rainwater tank (compliant with Victorian 5-star building standards) which is connected to the dwelling for toilet flushing).
- be purchased and installed on, or after 3 February 2009
- be a solar or heat pump hot water system that is eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) at the time and place of installation
- be installed by a suitably qualified person (for example an electrician or plumber).
Eligible households
- An owner-occupier, landlord or tenant can apply for the rebate as long as the dwelling where the hot water system is installed is a principal place of residence.
- Government organisations are not eligible for the rebate.
How to apply
Important information
- Applying for the rebate is straightforward and simple.
- Only individuals aged 18 years and over who are the owner or tenant of the dwelling are eligible to apply.
- Only apply for the rebate after the system has been installed.
- The rebate is not available as a point of sale discount nor can a retailer, installer or commercial business apply for the rebate on behalf of their customers.
- To claim a rebate, you need to submit an application using the application form which is below. The application form is also included as part of the guidelines.
- You have up to six months after an eligible system is installed to submit an application form.
- You should allow eight weeks for the application to be processed.
- Please attach a copy of your purchase receipts which clearly indicate whether you have installed a solar or heat pump hot water system with the application. No other supporting documentation is to be submitted with the application.
- Under the Solar Hot Water Rebate you are required to agree that, if requested, you will provide evidence to support claims made in the application as part of an audit process to ensure you meet the program guidelines. For example, proof of system installation or allowing an authorised representative access to your property may be requested at a later date.
Application information
Please read all material and ensure you meet all eligibility requirements before applying.
Download
A booklet incorporating all documents and information you will need on the rebate
Your application will need the following information:
- Date of installation of your new solar or heat pump hot water system.
- Type of system (ie solar hot water or heat pump system).
- BSB Number - six digit number which identifies the bank/financial institution and branch where your bank account is held.
- Bank Account Number where the rebate is to be deposited.
Application Form
You can apply by using the application form included in the guidelines or by downloading and printing the form below and sending it to:
Solar Hot Water Rebate
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
Download
For more information you can also contact our national information line on 1800 808 571.
What is the role of the installer?
To be eligible for the rebate, a hot water system must be installed by a licensed electrician or plumber as required under standard regulations. The licensed installer must sign your application form verifying that:
- The system is a new and complete hot water system that replaces an existing electric storage hot water system previously operational at the dwelling.
- The system is eligible for at least 20 RECs at the time and place of installation.
- Installers are also required to provide other technical and installation details including the tank number of the new system and the installation date. Installers are aware of the process and have easy access to the information.
It should take no more than a few minutes for them to complete their part of the form.
We recommend you seek around three quotes to ensure you are getting the best value for your system.
Information for installers
Licensed plumbers and electricians have an important role in the rebate application process. Installers need to complete and sign part of their customer’s application form at the time the system is installed. Completing these parts of the application form is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. The information provided by installers is used by the Australian Government to verify certain eligibility requirements for the rebate.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
Under the Australian Government's Renewable Energy Target (RET) - a scheme set up under Commonwealth law to promote the development of renewable energy - new solar and heat pump hot water heaters may be eligible to create Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Households can create and trade these certificates on their own, but it is more common for Registered Agents to create and trade RECs on behalf of households. The RECs benefit for consumers usually comes as a point of sale discount. Most retailers will advise potential buyers how many RECs are provided by each solar or heat pump hot water system model and how much each of those RECs are worth at today's prices (the price of RECs vary according to market forces). The retailers then provide a discount to the buyer, meaning the cost of the hot water system to the householder is reduced..
Hot water system retailers can also advise you on the number of RECs assigned to a system.
More information about RECs is available on the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator website:
- Renewable Energy Certificates - Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator
- Solar Hot Water Heaters - Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator
- Energy Efficient Homes Package Call Centre: 1800 808 571
Rebate payments
We are currently processing rebates for applications received on
Thursday 1 October 2009
Processing rebates from receipt of application to payment takes up to eight weeks.
Following payment, rebate funds may take 7-10 days to appear in your nominated bank account.
Rebate feedback
The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts values your feedback on the Australian Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate.
Please use the online feedback form to contact us.
Previous rebate
The previous $1,000 rebate has now closed. Applications are no longer being accepted.