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Battery
Booster Program
ABOUT THE 2024 BATTERY REBATE
Government Solar
Rebate: Everything You Need to Know
With rising energy costs and increasing concerns about climate change, looking for alternative ways to generate the electricity needed to power our homes, businesses, and industries is becoming more and more vital.
As we begin moving away from fossil fuels like coal and oil, the Australian Government has therefore created a range of rebates to increase the adoption of renewable energy technologies. These financial incentives aim to make rooftop solar, energy-efficient appliances, and solar batteries more widely accessible to householders and business owners.
At Volteam Electric, we’re committed to delivering top-notch renewable energy installations and helping you get the most out of these rebates. Keep reading this guide for a comprehensive round-up of all government solar rebates currently available, how to apply, and the financial benefit that you could receive from purchasing a renewable energy source today.
Battery Booster
Program
The Battery Booster Program offered rebates to eligible Queenslanders for the purchase and installation of household solar battery systems. This came as part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which outlines the state’s pathway to a clean, reliable, and affordable energy system.
The minimum requirements for the program were as follows:
- Income Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must have had a combined annual household taxable income of $180,000 or less to qualify for the rebate.
- Purchase Date Requirement: Home battery systems purchased on or after February 12, 2024, are eligible. Any purchases made before this date did not qualify.
- Battery System Size: A minimum 6 kWh battery from the approved list was required for eligibility.
- Approved Installer: Batteries must be installed by an approved installer, such as Volteam Electric.
Unless you already have an ongoing application, the scheme closed to new conditional approvals as of 8 May 2024. However, you can still find affordable and reliable solar battery system installation with Volteam, thanks to our team of CEC-accredited installers and electrical technicians.
We specialise in installing high-quality batteries that store any excess energy generated by your rooftop solar system for a cloudy day or during peak times. Reduce your reliance on the electricity grid and lower your energy bills with solar batteries from trusted brands, such as Tindo, Sonnen, Tesla, LG, and General Electric.
Queensland Solar
Rebate
The Battery Booster Program offered rebates to eligible Queenslanders for the purchase and installation of household solar battery systems. This came as part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which outlines the state’s pathway to a clean, reliable, and affordable energy system.
The minimum requirements for the program were as follows:
- Income Eligibility Criteria: Applicants must have had a combined annual household taxable income of $180,000 or less to qualify for the rebate.
- Purchase Date Requirement: Home battery systems purchased on or after February 12, 2024, are eligible. Any purchases made before this date did not qualify.
- Battery System Size: A minimum 6 kWh battery from the approved list was required for eligibility.
- Approved Installer: Batteries must be installed by an approved installer, such as Volteam Electric.
Unless you already have an ongoing application, the scheme closed to new conditional approvals as of 8 May 2024. However, you can still find affordable and reliable solar battery system installation with Volteam, thanks to our team of CEC-accredited installers and electrical technicians.
We specialise in installing high-quality batteries that store any excess energy generated by your rooftop solar system for a cloudy day or during peak times. Reduce your reliance on the electricity grid and lower your energy bills with solar batteries from trusted brands, such as Tindo, Sonnen, Tesla, LG, and General Electric.
SRES
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for government rebates such as the QLD Solar Rebate scheme, you'll need to meet specific system capacity (1) and annual electricity output (2) requirements before installing solar systems and other renewable energy technologies.
Eligibility
Criteria
Solar Panels
(1) No more than 100 kW (2) Less than 250 MWh
Wind Turbines
(1) No more than 10 kW (2) Less than 25 MWh
Hydro Systems
(1) No more than 6.4 kW (2) Less than 25 MWh
Solar Water Heaters
- (1) Up to 700 L
Air Source Heat Pumps
(1) No more than 425 L
For those with a system already installed, you could meet this eligibility criteria and begin earning STCs if you upgrade or replace existing components.
One way to do this is by adding more panels to your rooftop solar system using an inverter, which should be performed by a CEC-accredited installer like Volteam. Contact us today to see how we can help you purchase and install an eligible solar system.
Sustainable Household
Scheme
If you want to purchase a renewable energy system for your property, but are worried about the cost, then you may benefit from the Sustainable Household Scheme.
This program provides interest-free loans of up to $15,000 for eligible ACT households and non-profit community organisations to help make energy-efficient upgrades. These loans can be repaid over 10 years and exclude any upfront cost, making it easier for individuals to cover the purchase cost of a renewable energy system.
The Sustainable Household Scheme covers a variety of products that help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, lower electricity bills, and help Australian householders live more comfortably. This includes anything from purchasing and installing rooftop solar to a solar battery system for storing excess energy produced.
Other eligible products are:
- Ceiling insulation
- Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
- Hot water heat pumps
- Electric stove tops
- Electric vehicles and chargers
The amount that applicants can secure as part of their interest-free loan depends on the result of a loan application credit check. However, it generally ranges from $2,000 to $15,000, although you may be eligible to borrow more than the limit by choosing to pay additional interest.
How to
Apply for the Sustainable Household Scheme
To secure an interest-free loan worth up to $15,000, applicants will need to follow this simple application process before getting their system installed:
- Assess Your Eligibility
Before making any purchases, you’ll need to check that you’re eligible for the Sustainable Household loan. Firstly, you must be an ACT resident, living in either Hall, Tharwa, or Oaks Estate, but not Jervis Bay Territory.
The land you’re planning to install an eligible product on will also need to meet Unimproved Value (UV) thresholds as detailed on your rates notice, which excludes improvements like landscape gardening, paths, and fences. This should be below $750,000 or $450, 000 for solar products.
You must also pass a credit check assessing your financial situation and attend a one-hour energy-efficiency workshop.
For those hoping to secure an electric vehicle as part of the scheme, they’ll need to have a current driving licence. They should also choose a vehicle that’s powered by a zero emissions mechanism, like an electric vehicle battery, and costs less than the luxury car tax threshold.
- Choose an Eligible System
While there are a variety of eligible products eligible for the Sustainable Household Scheme, not all of them will be right for your property. For instance, if your home is already well insulated, you may not need an energy-efficient heating system.
A popular choice among ACT residents is solar panels, which provide a sustainable, affordable energy source. By selecting a quality solar system, you’ll not only be lowering your greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a greener future for the nation, but you’ll also experience cheaper electricity bills.
They can also make your home more attractive to potential buyers in future, with 77% of people seeing houses with solar panels more valuable than those that rely on traditional energy sources.
- Contact an Approved Supplier and Installer
You’ll then need to contact an approved supplier for your chosen appliance or system, such as Volteam Electric. The supplier should provide a quote ready for the loan application, help you understand the associated costs and savings, and conduct a pre-inspection of your home to confirm the system’s suitability.
- Complete the Loan Application
Finally, to secure your loan, you should complete the financial application, which should be sent to the Sustainable Household Scheme’s partner and loan provider, Brighte. You will then receive an email with details on the status of your application, including how to accept and proceed with installation.
Home Energy Support Program
One way of boosting the rebate amount received as part of the Sustainable Household Scheme is through the Home Energy Support Program.
Those with an eligible concession card, including the Australian Government Pensioner Card, Department of Veteran Affairs Gold Card, or the Australian Government Health Care Card can claim an additional rebate. This covers up to 50% of the cost of buying energy-efficient products for your home.
QBEST Rebates
Scheme
Do you run a small or medium-sized business? You may be interested in one of the state-wide schemes that are designed to help your company install more energy-efficient equipment and lower your carbon footprint.
In Queensland, this is available through the Queensland Business Energy Saving and Transformation (QBEST) Rebates scheme, which aims to work towards a greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 75% by 2035.
Powering Up Your Business with the QBEST Rebates Scheme
The QBEST scheme provides rebates of up to $12,500 to cover the cost for businesses to buy equipment that reduces their overall energy consumption.
Purchase and installation costs must be at least $8,000 to ensure that businesses are eligible for one 50% rebate, which can include multiple pieces of equipment, such as:
- Clothes washers or dryers
- Dishwashers
- Commercial refrigerators or freezers
- Televisions
- Pool pumps
- Computer monitors
- Air conditioning systems
- Motion or light level sensors
- LED energy-efficient lights
- Heat pump hot water systems (if replacing an electric or gas storage system)
- Electric-boosted solar hot water systems
- Electronically-commutated fan motors
- Variable-speed air compressors, chillers, or drive units
QBEST Rebates Eligibility Requirements
To meet eligibility criteria, the equipment chosen must have a 4-star energy rating or higher, which can be found on the product’s Energy Rating Label. It should also have been purchased on or after 5 October 2023 when the scheme opened and before 30 June 2025, which is the estimated closing date.
The equipment must also be purchased for an existing small or medium company, rather than to help a new business begin trading. Some of the other QBEST eligibility requirements include:
- Employing 2 to 199 full-time workers
- Not being a public company
- Being registered for Goods and Services Tax
- Holding an Australian Business Number (ABN)
- Being located and operating from premises in Queensland
- Not receiving funding from a previous round of the scheme
- Not receiving any other local, state, or government funding
All equipment must also be installed by a licensed contractor, such as Volteam Electric. Reach out to our commercial installation team today to find out how we can help you purchase and install energy-saving electrical and solar systems that are eligible for the QBEST Rebates scheme.
Feed-in Tariffs
If your home generates more energy than you can use through a solar-powered system, you may be eligible to claim money back through a feed-in tariff.
This provides payment in exchange for electricity exported back into the grid, with the minimum rate varying based on state government requirements, the electricity retailer, and the plan chosen.
Here are the main feed-in tariffs currently available in Queensland:
Market Feed-in Tariffs
Those based in South East Queensland (SEQ) may be eligible for a market feed-in tariff directly from the electricity retailer.
As there is no government-specified amount for this type of tariff, it’s recommended that eligible householders shop around various retailers to find the most competitive deals, which are offered voluntarily by these companies.
Market feed-in tariffs are monitored in SEQ by the Queensland Competition Authority, who can help you find the best options based on your projected energy usage. You can also compare rates on the Australian Energy Regulator’s Energy Made Easy website, or contact Volteam’s solar experts to guide you through all of the available options.
Solar Feed-in Tariffs
Any home located outside of South East Queensland may be eligible for the Regional Solar Feed-in Tariff, which is set by the Queensland Competition Authority. The rate for this tariff changes each year and is set at 12.377 cents per kilowatt hour for 2024 to 2025.
If you’re connected to the Essential Energy network, you must be a customer of either Ergon Energy Retail or Origin Energy to apply for the Regional Solar Feed-in Tariff. Your home should also:
- Be connected to the electricity grid
- Have a network connection agreement with an electricity distributor, which signals their approval to connect the system to the electricity grid
- Consume less than 100 megawatt hours of electricity per year
- Have only one solar system per premise with a maximum inverter capacity below 30 kilowatts
- Not be receiving any other tariff
Contact your energy retailer to fully assess the eligibility of your home and solar system.
Solar Bonus Scheme 44c Feed-in Tariff
The Solar Bonus Scheme is another feed-in tariff available for those located in either South East or Regional Queensland. This offers 44 cents for every kilowatt-hour of excess electricity produced until 1 July 2028 when the scheme expires.
Unlike the other feed-in tariffs available in Queensland, this one is only open to those who currently receive the 44-cent rate. However, to remain eligible, you must:
- Remain the electricity account holder for your premises
- Use no more than 100 megawatt-hours of electricity a year
- Have an open account with an electricity retailer for the premises where the solar power system is installed
- Operate a system connected to a distribution network in a net-metered arrangement
- Have a network connection agreement in place with an electricity distributor
- Have an inverter size that doesn’t exceed the capacity approved by your electricity distributor
- Check with your electricity distributor before adding extra panels, systems, or batteries, and replace any component with a like-for-like part
Learn More
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does the Solar System Rebate Work?
As part of the Renewable Energy Scheme, successful applicants will receive financial compensation in the form of Small-Scale Technology Certificates, or STCs. One STC can be generated for every 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of renewable energy produced or displaced, so the more energy your system is estimated to produce, the more STCs you'll receive.
How Long is the Queensland Solar Rebate Available For?
According to current legislation, you can claim a rebate amount from the Queensland Government for an eligible solar system until the end of 2030. In terms of the number of small-scale technology certificates (STCS) generated, this will reduce year by year, before tapering off to zero in 2031.
Does the Solar Rebate Apply to Batteries?
The Battery Booster Program closed for new applications as of 8th May 2024, which provided rebates to cover the cost of installing a solar battery system for eligible Queensland households. However, residents can still claim an interest-free loan to help with the cost of purchasing a solar battery through the Sustainable Household Scheme.
How Can I Calculate the Solar Rebate Amount I'll Receive?
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What is the $3700 Homeowner Rebate in Queensland?
As part of the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme, homeowners in Queensland can receive a rebate of $3700 for installing eligible solar-powered systems, including solar photovoltaic panels, heat pumps, or solar hot water systems. This rebate comes in the form of Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
Is Installing a Solar System Worthwhile in Queensland?
With more than 2,800 hours on average of sunshine each year, Queensland homes and businesses are ideally located for solar power generation. It's estimated that each solar system should return between 25 to 33% of its upfront cost within 3 to 4 years after installation, while lowering energy costs by approximately 70%.
How Much Can I Save By Taking Advantage of Solar Incentives in Queensland?
The Queensland Government suggests that the average household with a 6.6kW solar system installed could save approximately $1,500 per year on their electricity bills. You may be able to save an even higher amount if you're eligible for other financial incentives, such as Feed-in Tariffs and the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
Calculate potential savings with solar!
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