Free Solar Panels For Pensioners in NSW
For the majority of retirees in NSW, fitting a new solar panel system tends to be financially out of reach.
However, pensioners and low-income households can get a free, fully installed 3-kilowatt solar system through the NSW Government’s Solar for Low-Income Households. This program is available for eligible households.
This article will give you all the necessary information about the eligibility and application forms.Â
This Government program offers a free, fully installed 3-killowatt solar system for pensioners and low-income households in NSW.
Solar systems will provide you with long-term savings on your electricity bills, up to $600Â annually which is far more than the $285-a-year rebate1 for Low-Income households.
What to do before applying?
Before applying for a solar rebate it is very important to consider a few things such as the eligibility criteria, your role in the whole process, and your responsibilities.
Who is eligable?
You can participate in this Government program if you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You must be an active user of a Low-Income Household Rebate;
- You have to give up the Low-Income Household Rebate, and agree not to receive the rebate for the next 10 years;
- Hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card;
- Own and live in your own house; andÂ
- Not to own a solar PV system at the time of application.
Eligible Regions
You are eligible if you live in one of the following local government council areas:2
- Bayside,
- Blacktown,
- Burwood,
- Campbelltown,
- Canterbury-Bankstown,
- Cumberland,
- Fairfield,
- Georges River,
- Liverpool,
- Parramatta,
- Strathfield, and
- Penrith.
- Illawarra-Shoalhaven
- North coast and South Coast regions
How to apply?
There are a few steps you need to take to apply for a Government rebate for free solar panels for pensioners in NSW. Those steps include
- Complete the eligibility check;
- Submit your application form.
Follow this link for the application process.
The next step in the application process is to upload:
- Proof that you own your home. If you don’t have a Council rates notice, or similar evidence, to prove the ownership of the house fill out the contact form;
- An electricity bill to confirm that you are receiving the Low-Income Household Rebate; and
- An image of your Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card to confirm it is valid and up to date.
Call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit your nearest Service NSW centre, if you need assistance to complete and submit your application form.Â
What's next?
When you finish and submit your application, and when your eligibility is approved these are the following actions:
- You will be notified by email and the details about approved solar installers in your area will be given to you;
- Expect a call from the installer to arrange a house suitability assessment;
- The installer had to organize your contract and installation of your free solar system;
- You will be moved off the Low-Income Household Rebate program once your solar system is set up;
- The installer must provide you with training on how to use your solar system.Â
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Approved Solar Installers in NSW
The installers in the table below are responsible for supplying and installing the solar systems. No company other than the listed ones can install a solar system for you through this program.
| Name | Region | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPowr | All of NSW except the Far West | rebateswap@upowr.com.au | 02 8311 7746 |
| LECA | Far West | info@lecaaustralia.com.au | 1300 695 322 |
Why go solar?
You can lower your personal environmental footprint by installing solar. When you install a solar panel system on your home, you may avoid buying carbon-emitting electricity from the grid and instead draw power directly from your solar panels.
Even if you aren’t directly using solar energy, you are reducing the demand for carbon-emitting generating by putting your solar energy into the grid. At the end of the day, a typical household solar panel system will reduce carbon emissions by three to four tonnes per year.
What are the benefits of using solar panels?
1. Reduce energy bill
You will need less electricity from the utility company if you generate your own. This will save you money on your energy bill right away. You can also make money by selling back to the grid any unused electricity that you have generated. You may increase the value of your green investment by taking advantage of available solar panel grants.
The more energy you produce, the less energy you’ll require from a source, increasing your energy independence.
2. Limited maintenance
While a solar array does require some cleaning and maintenance to run at peak efficiency, it requires almost no day-to-day upkeep, making it a convenient “tenant” for you. An expert solar developer can help you maintain your solar PV system to get the most out of it.
3. Improved grid security
If there are multiple power plants spread out over the grid, it is less sensitive to blackouts. A system with a high solar penetration has hundreds of energy production centers that are widely dispersed. This increases grid security in the event of overload, natural disasters, or human-caused calamities.
4. Doesn't require any additional area
Rooftop solar panels have the advantage of being able to be put on any style of roof. As a result, installing rooftop solar panels does not necessitate vacating a property or investing in extra land. In addition, the panels protect the roof of the structure in which they are put.
FAQs
This offer does not include a solar battery. For information about rebates for solar batteries follow this link.
Your property can be assessed ineligible if you have too much shading or your roof may be structurally unsuitable. Also, additional costs may occur when installing solar systems on properties where the land and/or dwelling, such as the roof, are not solely owned by the householder.
The household that collectively meets the eligibility criteria may be considered eligible if:
- Both partners consent to all requirements for the offer, including not receiving the Low Income Household Rebate for a period of 10 years.
- The homeowner is listed as a spouse on the valid Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card.
As a renter currently, you are not eligible to participate in this offer. However, there are over 70 available rebates and vouchers to help you make sustainable decisions. Visit the Service NSW Savings Finder to check your eligibility.
- Department of climate change, Energy, the Environment and water, Australian Government,(2024), Rebate swap for solar offer, Accessed on 24th March 2024: https://www.energy.gov.au/rebates/rebate-swapsolaroffer#:~:text=NSW%20residents%20currently%20receiving%20an,solar%20systems%20on%20their%20homes.
- Origin, (2022), Helping low-income households access solar in NSW, Accessed on 24th March 2024: https://www.originenergy.com.au/blog/helping-low-income-households-in-nsw-access-solar/