With a change in Government, the legislation to repeal the carbon tax has been introduced into the Australian Parliament. (1) The Direct Action Plan (2) is part of the Coalition’s attempt to achieve a renewable energy target of 5% emissions reduction by 2020 (compared to 2000 levels). One of the Direct Action Plan initiatives is a grant of $500 to install 1 million additional solar systems. This “Million Solar Roofs” plan will provide 100,000 grants over 10 years. Priority will be given to low income earners and solar hot water systems. This will help mitigate the loss of the $1,000 solar hot water rebate (ceased 1/1/12) for changing over from an electric hot water system to a solar hot water system.
Not only do solar systems reduce your power bills but, if eligible, you can also receive a discount off the price of your solar hot water or solar powered (photovoltaic) system through Small-scale Technology certificates.
STCs are tradable commodities that are received when someone installs an eligible renewable energy system. When you install one of these systems you can claim a certain amount of STCs thanks to the Federal Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). At this stage the federal government has not indicated any changes to the SRES although this may occur in 2014 when the government reviews the Renewable Energy Target. (3)
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
The SRES legislates demand for STCs which means that owners who install eligible energy saving systems, such as solar hot water heaters, heat pumps and solar powered photovoltaic systems are offered a financial incentive.
How do I claim my STCs?
Once you have installed an eligible hot water system
Once you have had an eligible hot water system installed, you can either go through a registered agent or create the STCs yourself. Doing it yourself is a complicated process, whereas if you go through an agent (normally the retailer who sold and installed your system) you simply assign the STCs to them in exchange for reimbursement or reduced price of your system.
To find out if you are eligible on the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator page.
2. Clean Air
3. Development of renewable projects under a Coalition government.
