Solar Rebate Northern Territory
Reviewed by
Leigh McInerney
Residents of the Northern Territory reap the rewards of government rebates/incentives known as Small-Scale Technology Certificates. These incentives assist homeowners in reducing the initial expenses associated with setting up solar power. Consequently, solar energy has become accessible to all qualifying households.
In NT, the average solar rebate is $2,201 for the popular 5kW solar PV system and a $4,441 rebate for a 10kW solar system. If you are eligible for the rebate, you can install solar panels at a subsidized cost.
The exact rebate depends on factors such as the solar system size, the STC zone rating in Nt and the STC value.
Here is everything you need to know about NT solar rebates/incentives.
Further reading: Australian Government Solar Rebates 2024
Being in Zone 1, NT receives the best STC ratings, making solar power cheaper than states located in Zone 2, zone 3 and Zone 4.
NT solar systems receive more STCs compared to most other states.
The table below indicates the number of STCs and rebates popular solar systems receive.
| Solar system size | Number of STCs (NT) | Rebate amount in NT |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5kW | 17 | $668 |
| 2kW | 22 | $865 |
| 3kW | 34 | $1,336 |
| 4kW | 45 | $1,769 |
| 5kW | 56 | $2,201 |
| 6kW | 68 | $2,672 |
| 6.6kW | 74 | $2,908 |
| 7kW | 79 | $3,105 |
| 8kW | 90 | $3,537 |
| 9kW | 102 | $4,009 |
| 10kW | 113 | $4,441 |
| 12kW | 136 | $5,345 |
| 15kW | 170 | $6,681 |
| 20kW | 227 | $8,921 |
| 30kW | 340 | $13,362 |
| 40kW | 454 | $17,842 |
| 50kW | 567 | $22,283 |
| 100kW | 1,135 | $44,606 |
What are the incentives and rebates available in NT?
NT awards homes, businesses and community organizations solar and battery grants under a program called the Home and Business Battery Scheme.
Home and Business Battery Scheme overview
This scheme provides NT households, businesses, non-profit and community organizations grants for the installation of:
- Solar PV systems with an eligible battery and inverter systems.
- Eligible battery and inverter systems if the solar PV system is already installed.
Eligible battery systems should have a capacity of 7kWh. You cannot use the grants to install solar systems or inverters that are not being installed concurrently with battery systems.
Eligible homeowners get access to a rebate of $450 per kWh of usable battery capacity (a battery that meets their needs), up to a maximum rebate of $6,000.
If you are a homeowner with a business, you can apply for grants for your home and business. This grant is available to all eligible customers despite their electricity retailer.
One of the grant’s conditions is that all Jacana Energy customers eligible for this grant and receiving the one-for-one premium feed-in tariff will be transferred to a standard FIT.
Changes to the scheme
From 2nd August 2021, the grant will only be available for storage battery systems on the list of approved battery systems that have been assessed and deemed to be virtual power plant capable.
Applications made before 1st July 2021 for the previous grant of $6,000 will be assessed under the terms and conditions of the scheme.
Solar Rebate Calculator
Is the Northern Territory government completely scraping off its premium solar panel scheme?
According to ABC News, the NT government has decided to scrape off its premium solar panel scheme, a move that will affect thousands of ratepayers.
With the new changes, NT households that installed solar systems and registered with Jacana Energy premium FIT before April 2020 will no longer get 26c/kWh for sending their excess power to the power grid.
After completing 4 years on the premium FIT scheme, the affected households will be transferred to a lower tariff that will pay them 9c/kWh for feeding excess energy into the grid.
These changes will take full effect as from July 1 2022. About 13,000 customers will be affected by the changes.
Who can apply for the grant
You are only allowed to submit one application per homeowner and per property.
You can apply for this scheme if you are:
- A registered owner of a home/residential property in the Northern Territory
- A registered business in the Northern Territory
- A non-profit or business organisation that operates in the Northern territory in an owned or leased property.
If you own a home and a business, you are allowed to apply for grants for both your home and business.
How to apply
Before starting your application process, you must read, understand and agree to the terms and conditions of the scheme.
Here are the steps you should follow when applying for the Home and Business Battery Scheme.
- Step 1: Check if you are eligible by reading the terms and conditions of the scheme.
- Step 2: Get several quotes from qualified and CEC-approved solar installers and choose the best. You can check the requirements for certification on this website.
- Step 3: Once you choose an installer, proceed to apply online on this website.
You will receive a unique voucher after your application.
How does the rebate work?
If you are eligible for a rebate in NT, you can apply for the grants through the outlined process above.
The rebate you will receive depends on the solar or battery system size you install.
Since claiming your own STCs can be quite daunting, it is best to hand the STCs over to a CEC accredited installer, who will then install your system at a discounted rate. The installer can apply and claim the rebate after installing the system for you.
What is the solar rebate NT end date?
The rebate is scheduled to end in 2030. The number of STCs will decrease every year until 2030 when the rebate will end. Homeowners and businesses installing solar energy now have a better chance of getting higher rebates.
How to calculate your rebate amount?
Calculating your own rebate helps you to know the exact amount you will receive. This protects you from scammers that may state a lower rebate than what you qualify for.
Here is a formula you should use to calculate your rebate.
Solar system size x NT STC zone rating x current STC multiplier = X STCs
To get your rebate, multiply the STCs you get by the current STC value in the market.
What is the current STC value?
The current STC value stands at $39.30. This value keeps on fluctuating every year, so it is essential to know the current value in the market to calculate your rebate.
What are the requirements for getting solar rebates in NT?
All Australian residents, NT included, must meet some requirements to be eligible for solar rebates or incentives in NT. The requirements include:
- You must be an Australian homeowner and have documentation to prove that you own the home/property. Some of the documents you will need include your homeownership documents and physical address.
- You must claim your STCs within a year of having your system installed. Solar PV systems more than a year older will not get any rebate. That is why it is best to get your STCs as a point-of-sale discount from your retailer.
- The solar system you install should not exceed 100kW. Any system larger than 100kW will no longer be considered small-scale. Such systems will be placed under a different rebate set out by the CEC.
- You cannot claim a rebate more than once.
- You must have your system installed by a CEC-accredited installer to qualify for the government STCs. Also, you must make sure that the panels are CEC-approved.
- The solar/battery system you install should be new as existing systems do not qualify for a rebate.
Am I eligible for the solar rebate NT?
This depends on whether you meet all the requirements set by the CEC at a federal and a state level.
How do I claim my rebate in NT?
Most homeowners do not claim their rebates themselves because of the lengthy and complex process.
Instead, solar installers claim the rebates on behalf of all eligible homeowners and businesses. So, the price a particular installer offers already includes the rebate amount the system qualifies for.
For instance, if you want to install a 10kW solar system, you would pay a gross cost of $14,012. If the system qualifies for a rebate, you will get it at about $9,571Â (net price). The installer will have already factored in a rebate of $4,441.
Is NT a good climate for solar?
Yes. Being in zone one, NT receives 9 hours of sunshine per day, making it one of the best climates for installing solar panels. Homes and businesses that install solar power in NT will get a good ROI.
FAQ's
What are the pros and cons of solar power?
Pros
- Reduces power bills
- Allows for diverse applications
- Has low maintenance costs
- It is renewable energy
- Conserves the environment.
Cons
- Uses a lot of space
- Solar power is associated with pollution
- Battery storage systems are relatively expensive
- Solar energy is weather dependent.
How much does solar cost in NT?
The current retail price for residential solar panels in NT is about $5,719 for a 5kW solar system and $6,978Â for a 6.6kW solar system. This price is inclusive of the government rebate.