About the Victorian Solar Homes Package
Solar Rebate (Owner-Occupier)
Eligible households can claim a rebate up to $1,400 on the cost of a solar panel (PV) system. To further reduce installation costs, householders can apply for an interest-free loan, for an amount equivalent to their rebate amount ($1,400). The loan is required to be repaid over four years or can be repaid sooner in one lump sum.
This ten-year program includes:
• $850M for solar panels on 700,000 homes, including 50,000 renters*
• $40M to support the purchase of batteries for 10,000 homes*
Households will only be eligible for one rebate under the Program (i.e. a household that accesses a solar hot water rebate cannot claim a solar PV rebate).
*Offer applies for standard based installations only. Finance to approved applicants only, fees and charges apply. Finance only available for recommended retail price. Price beats are for competitors advertised quotes only and must be for identical goods. Price is after Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) have been assigned to Solar Link Australia Pty Ltd. Price is only valid for STC region zone 4 installations. Any additional extras including but not limited to regional surcharges, wind rating zone B and C, double story, flat roof, tile roof, meter box upgrades or three phase power, may attract additional charges.
Eligibility
Victorian households are eligible to receive a rebate for installing a solar PV system if they meet the following criteria:
- they are the owner-occupier of the property
- the owners have a combined household taxable income of less than $180,000 per year (based on last year’s Australian Tax Office Notice of Assessment)
- they have not already received a rebate as an owner-occupier under the Solar Homes Program
- it is an existing property, valued at under $3 million
- that the property address has not previously taken part in the Solar Homes Program
- they do not have an existing solar PV system*.
Once you’re confident that your property fits the eligibility criteria, you should start researching solar retailers who are authorised to participate in the Program and can meet your energy needs.
* Early adopters who installed their system prior to 1 November 2009 are eligible to replace or expand their existing system. However, those receiving the Premium Feed-in Tariff should consider whether they will be better off if they replace their existing system.
Other conditions may apply.
Interest-free loans
To further reduce costs, owner-occupiers can apply for an interest-free loan, for an amount equivalent to their rebate amount.
An interest-free loan, matching the rebate amount, is also available for most solar panel (PV) applications.
In line with the existing rebate, the new interest-free loan can be applied up to an amount of $1,400. If your total system cost is less than $2,800, there will be no upfront cost.
The loan is required to be repaid over four years or can be repaid sooner in one lump sum.
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Solar Panel Rebate
(Rentals program)
Solar for Rentals programme provides qualified landlords with a $1,400 rebate for installing solar panels (PV) systems on a maximum of two rental properties per financial year, subject to the signing of a Solar Homes Landlord-Tenant Agreement.
We are providing a rebate of up to $1,400 for eligible rental providers to reduce the cost of installing a solar panel system on a maximum of two rental properties each financial year, subject to a Solar Homes Rental provider-Renter Agreement being signed.
You can reduce your upfront cost even further by applying for an interest-free loan to match the rebate amount.
Only one application is available per address, however rental providers can apply for up to two rental properties in a financial year provided all of the eligibility criteria are met.
Rebate Eligibility
Victorian landlords are eligible to receive a rebate for their rental property if:
- Their renters have a combined household income of under $180,000 per year (based on any of the last two year’s taxable income)
- Property is valued at under $3 million and does not already have solar panels (PV) installed
- There has been no prior participation in the Solar Homes program for that address
- A Solar Homes Landlord-Tenant Agreement is signed by the landlord and all renters
- Property is currently tenanted with a rental agreement in place.
Loan Eligibility
You will need to provide a satisfactory credit report that is less than 12 months old to be eligible for an interest-free loan. If you don’t have one, it’s easy to do a free credit report online through the Moneysmart website.
Please be aware that a credit report can take up to 10 days to be supplied to you.
Other conditions may apply.
Interest free loan
Rental providers have the opportunity to apply for an interest-free loan to further reduce the upfront cost of installing solar on their investment property.
The loan is required to be repaid over four years and rental providers are ultimately responsible for the repayments. There are two options for loan repayments:
- A rental provider can make the full monthly loan repayment of $29.16; or
- The rental provider and renter can agree to a co-contribution model where the renter contributes up to 50 per cent of the monthly repayment. The maximum amount that can be contributed by the renter each month is $14.58.
If the renter agrees to co-contribution, the percentage of their contribution:
- must be agreed upfront in the Rental provider-Renter agreement
- must be paid directly to the rental provider
- Should not be altered after the loan has been established.
Renters who agree to co-contribute do so for the four-year life of the loan or until the renter vacates the property, whichever is earlier. Costs relating to the installation of the system cannot be recouped by increasing the or taken from a renter’s bond when they vacate the property. Subsequent renters will not be party to any repayment agreement.
Based on an interest-free loan of $1,400, the percentage of repayments can be requested based on the figures in the table below:
| Percentage % | Repayment $ per month | Percentage % | Repayment $ per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | $1.46 | 30% | $8.75 |
| 10% | $2.92 | 35% | $10.21 |
| 15% | $4.38 | 40% | $11.67 |
| 20% | $5.83 | 45% | $13.13 |
| 25% | $7.29 | 50% | $14.58 |
Solar Battery Rebate
Solar battery rebates are available in every Victorian postcode. Solar battery rebates will remain at their current value of up to $4,174 until all rebates in 2020–21 have been fully allocated. They will then reduce to $3,500.
Applicants must understand the Solar Homes Program eligibility criteria and then contact an authorised solar provider for a quote. To be eligible for a rebate, products must be on this approved products list.
To qualify for inclusion on these lists, providers and products are required to meet standards set by the Clean Energy Council, Energy Safe Victoria and other relevant authorities.
Your solar retailer will claim the rebate on your behalf and the rebate amount will be deducted from the cost of your overall system and installation. You are responsible for paying any outstanding balance directly to your solar retailer once installed.
Installing a battery can help a typical household save up to $640 a year.
Eligibility
Victorians eligible to receive a battery rebate if they meet all of the following criteria:
- the property already has solar PV panels with a capacity equal to or greater than 5kW
- pre-approval is obtained from your Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) to safely connect a battery to the grid
- the energy storage solution is listed on Solar Victoria’s Approved Battery List and the property does not have an existing energy storage system
- they are the owner-occupier of the property where the system is to be installed
- the combined household taxable income of all owners is less than $180,000 a year (based on your Australian Tax Office Notice of Assessment)
- it is an existing property, valued at under $3 million based on the current council rates notice
- they have not already received a rebate as an owner-occupier under the Solar Homes Program
- the property address has not previously taken part in the Solar Homes Program
- the owner/s agrees to receive information from their Distribution Network Service Provider about taking part in battery trials to maximise the value households get from them.
Why Solar Link Australia is your best choice for advice on the Solar Homes Package?
Solar Link Australia is a Market Leader in Solar Photo Voltaic Supply and Installation. (EST 2010). Our team is committed to making renewable energy a major part of Australia’s energy base. Our solar energy solutions are guaranteed to deliver significant financial saving to both a Suburban Residential Solar Installation or a Large Scale Solar Commercial Installation, whilst at the same time assisting in reducing your carbon footprint.
Solar Link Australia, specialists in Solar PV Solutions offer a comprehensive range of Tier 1 Solar PV Bands. We have installed 10,000’s of PV Modules throughout the country assisting thousands of families to reduce their bills.
