When Does the Government Solar Rebate End?
Reviewed by
Leigh McInerney
In 2011, a scheme offering rebates for solar was introduced to encourage Aussies to tap into solar energy.
The government solar rebate is set to end on 31st December 2030.
The Australian government decided that rather than stopping the rebate immediately, it was a better idea to phase it out gradually. The government decided that the gradual phasing out period should take 15 years up to December 31, 2030.
As a result of this decision, the small-scale technology certificates (STCs) system by the Australian government started being phased out on January 1, 2017. What this means is that once the government solar rebate ends, people will stop receiving rebates for solar system installations in their homes and properties.
How the Solar Rebate Works
There are factors that determine how the solar rebate works. One of the factors is the location of your property.
A place that has more sunshine hours causes a solar power system to generate more power. Thus, if your solar system produces more power, you receive a higher amount of rebate. For instance, if a person resides in Western Australia, the amount of rebate will be more than a person who lives in a state that receives a few hours of sunshine.
Another factor that determines the amount of incentive that one receives is the size of the solar panel system. If the solar panel system is large, it will generate more power, thus attracting a higher solar rebate.
It’s worth noting that the solar rebate system works through the issuance of STCs. STCs are issued according to zones. Essentially, the Federal Government divides Australia’s postcodes into 4 zones. This is how this works: If you live in zone 1, you get a greater rebate than a person who lives in zone 2, who, in turn, receives a higher rebate than a person in zone 3 and so on. Once you are issued with STCs, you sell them to companies that generate fossil fuels. The sale happens on the open market, so the price fluctuates depending on the current demand for solar energy.
Who Pays the Rebate?
In simple terms, the rebate is paid to your installer by the government, who has already passed the saving onto you when they sold you the system.
In reality, the rebate is paid through the sale of STCs. Once homeowners install solar panel systems, they are issued with STCs, which are, in turn, paid to the installer based on the size of the system installed and the zone they reside in.
The price of an STC certificate depends on the supply and demand factor of renewable energy. Generally, if the supply of solar energy is high, then the STC price will go down.
How much is the Solar Rebate in 2024
Solar rebates in 2024 will still see those installing solar power systems in their properties receiving generous incentives.
So, anyone who missed the opportunity to install a solar panel system in their home has the chance to become part of the solar rebate scheme in 2024.
For instance, if a person residing in Adelaide installs a 6.6kW solar system, the incentive offered by the State of SA is around $2,476, according to the current STC values on the open market. This means that the early part of 2024 is a good time for one to install solar power systems.
Full rebate information for other states can be found below:
How Much Is the Solar Rebate: By State
The following is the solar rebate on solar in different states based on the STC price of $39.30. The amount of solar rebate is equal to the number of STCs x STC value
Example: 1.5kW in Zone 3 gets 14 STC’s.
Calculate: 14 x $39.30 = $550 Rebate
Please see the following tables to calculate the rebate for your system size.
| 1.5kWh | Rebate | Zone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Australia | 14 STCs | $550 | Zone 3 |
| Queensland | 14 STCs | $550 | Zone 3 |
| South Australia | 14 STCs | $550 | Zone 3 |
| New South Wales | 14 STCs | $550 | Zone 3 |
| Victoria | 12 STCs | $472 | Zone 4 |
| Tasmania | 12 STCs | $472 | Zone 4 |
| 2kWh | Rebate | Zone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Australia | 19 STCs | $747 | Zone 3 |
| Queensland | 19 STCs | $747 | Zone 3 |
| South Australia | 19 STCs | $747 | Zone 3 |
| New South Wales | 19 STCs | $747 | Zone 3 |
| Victoria | 16 STCs | $629 | Zone 4 |
| Tasmania | 16 STCs | $629 | Zone 4 |
| 3kWh | Rebate | Zone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Australia | 29 STCs | $1,140 | Zone 3 |
| Queensland | 29 STCs | $1,140 | Zone 3 |
| South Australia | 29 STCs | $1,140 | Zone 3 |
| New South Wales | 29 STCs | $1,140 | Zone 3 |
| Victoria | 24 STCs | $943 | Zone 4 |
| Tasmania | 24 STCs | $943 | Zone 4 |
| 4kWh | Rebate | Zone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Australia | 38 STCs | $1,493 | Zone 3 |
| Queensland | 38 STCs | $1,493 | Zone 3 |
| South Australia | 38 STCs | $1,493 | Zone 3 |
| New South Wales | 38 STCs | $1,493 | Zone 3 |
| Victoria | 33 STCs | $1,297 | Zone 4 |
| Tasmania | 33 STCs | $1,297 | Zone 4 |
| 5kWh | Rebate | Zone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Australia | 48 STCs | $1,886 | Zone 3 |
| Queensland | 48 STCs | $1,886 | Zone 3 |
| South Australia | 48 STCs | $1,886 | Zone 3 |
| New South Wales | 48 STCs | $1,886 | Zone 3 |
| Victoria | 41 STCs | $1,611 | Zone 4 |
| Tasmania | 41 STCs | $1,611 | Zone 4 |
Will Solar Energy Become Too Expensive?
Certainly, solar power will not be unaffordable. Judging from how the price of solar power has been dropping in the last 10 years, it is unlikely that the price will remain about the same.
Taking a quick look at how the trend has been, the price of a 5Kw solar system in 2008 was $40,000, and in 2016 it was valued at $6,500. This is a huge decline in price.
Moreover, even as technology continues to improve, solar power still continues to be affordable for many people. Again, with the Australian government still encouraging people to use solar power, it is, without a doubt, that prices will not shoot to unaffordable levels. It will still be affordable to install solar power systems for most people.
When to Install a Solar Power System
If you can install solar power now or sooner, it will be a great move. Essentially, if you install now, you will enjoy the benefits of the solar rebate before it comes to an end. On top of that, there are other benefits that you will get for installing solar energy on your property.
You will reduce your electricity bill significantly and save that money to take care of other matters of importance to you. It’s also rewarding to take advantage of the present moment when the solar installation is quite affordable. It’s always good to grab an opportunity when it is available.
However, if you are not able to install now, you don’t have to worry because the likelihood of the price becoming too expensive is low. Given that the cost of solar technology has the probability of going down, you can always invest in solar power as soon as you are ready to do so. It will even be better if you consider taking advantage of the solar rebate before it ends on December 31, 2030. It is an investment that will offer valuable rewards to you.
FAQ’s
Who qualifies for the solar rebate?
If you are installing a solar power system less than 100kWh in size and is installed by a clean energy Council accredited professional. The amount you get will depend on the size of the system and the state you live in.
Can I get solar for free?
You can get solar panels installed on your home today with no upfront cost with the use of an interest free solar loans. These are available to anyone installing a solar system before 2030. They allow you to pay the system off over a 4 year period meaning you own it at the end. This is the closest you will get to a free system, but it works out to you paying about what you are now on your power bill for the next 4 years, then after that power is free or there about!
Is it harder to sell a house with solar power?
If the system is owned outright and it is not some kind of a leased system or still being paid off with a loan then it will definitely add value to your home. According to the selling into the suns Berkley lab report you can expect a 2 – 3% increase in your property value just by installing a solar system. The average boost in home sale price with a Solar PV system was $24,000.
Is solar a good investment?
Considering the cost of energy in Australia, solar is becoming more and more handsome an investment as time goes on. The fact it will pay for itself in 3 – 4 year and you will enjoy free power thereafter, you would be mad not to invest.
Are there any disadvantages to solar power?
The main disadvantage to solar is the initial upfront cost. But as mentioned above you can get interest free loans that will cover the cost and allow you to pay them off over 4 years. Another disadvantage is they do take up a lot of roof space. I personally like the look of them, but not everyone does.
Are solar panels low maintenance?
Yes, solar panels are generally very low maintenance. They contain no moving parts so there is very little that can be broken or damaged. The only solar panels maintenance they need is cleaning. Dust and dirt need cleaning off as it builds up over time so panels can absorb as much sunlight as possible. Luckily, the rain will take care of this for you in most cases. You should hire a professional to do the job every 12 – 18 months or if you notice a drop in power production.
How often do you have to replace solar panels?
Solar panels do not need a lot of maintenance, they don’t break very easily and often will last for a very long time. However, they will start to become less effective over the years. They decrease in effectiveness by an average of 1% per year. This means a solar panel won’t become completely redundant for at least 40 years. You may wish to replace them sooner should you start to notice a problem with their decreased output. Warranties on solar panels are typically 25 years.