Renewable energy

Solar Homes and Communities

Solar Homes and Communities Plan

PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the large volume of applications the Solar Homes and Communities Plan is receiving, the six week timeframe for processing applications and installation reports, as outlined in the program guidelines, is currently not being achieved. Applications and installation reports are taking up to eight weeks to process. The Department has engaged additional staff to help manage the increased demand and we are working to reduce application processing times as quickly as we can. We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate the continuing patience people are showing.

The Solar Homes and Communities Plan provides cash rebates for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems on homes and community use buildings. Schools are no longer eligible for funding under this program. Schools can apply for grants under the National Solar Schools Program from July 2008 to June 2015.

The Solar Homes and Communities Plan ensures that rebates get to the households that need them most through the introduction of a means test, with households with an annual taxable income of less than $100,000 eligible for the rebates.

Rebates and grants

Minimum system sizeAustralian Government supportEligibility*
Residential (Rebates)
  • Household taxable family income must be less than $100,000
New systems
450 wattsUp to $8000
($8/W up to 1kW)
  • The system must be installed at your principal place of residence
  • You have not previously received a rebate for a photovoltaic system from the Australian Government
Extensions to old systems
450 wattsUp to $5000
($5/W up to 1kW)
  • If you have not previously received a rebate for your system, you may be eligible for a rebate to extend your current system by 1kW
  • If you have previously received a rebate for systems less than 1kW you may be eligible for an extension rebate to bring the system up to a 1kW capacity
Community Use Buildings (Competitive Grants)
450 watts50% of the system cost up to 2kW**
  • Grants are available to community organisations that install photovoltaic systems where there is significant educational value.

NOTE: *Conditions apply; this information is a guide only; for further information refer to the program guidelines.
**This limit refers to the grant amount only - there are no restrictions on the size of system that can be installed.

Eligibility

How to apply

All applicants should send completed forms by mail to:

Solar Homes and Communities Plan Manager
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
PO Box 787
CANBERRA ACT 2600
For more information on how to apply, contact the national information line on 1800 808 571.

Residential applicants

Applicants should read the Guidelines for residential applicants before applying.
PLEASE NOTE: Notification of pre-approval must be received prior to system installation.

Downloads

Guidelines

Application Form


Community Buildings

PLEASE NOTE: Schools are no longer eligible for funding under this program. Schools can apply for grants under the National Solar Schools Program from July 2008 to June 2015.

Notification of pre-approval must be received prior to system installation.

Downloads

Guidelines

Application Form

Finding an installer

The person who carries out the installation must be accredited for design and installation of photovoltaic systems by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE).

The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts recommends applicants contact an accredited designer / installer to discuss their system requirements before commencing an application.

A list of BCSE accredited designers and installers is available from:

Installation report

A copy of the Residential installation report will be sent to the applicant with the notification of pre-approval. When the system has been installed, the applicant must forward the completed Residential installation report, to the address above.

New forms will be available shortly.


Program statistics

Cover graphics - Click to go to BCSE website

Electricity from the Sun: Solar PV Systems Explained
- provides information about choosing system size, design, location, Grid-connected systems, Off-grid systems

Solar PV Systems - Users' Maintenance Guide
- provides information about PV system maintenance

Both publications are available online at:
www.bcse.org.au/default.asp?id=310

Solar Panels

Rebates & grants

Related sites

Key

   Links to another web site
   Opens a pop-up window