Solar Credit FAQs
1. What are Solar Credits?
2. What is the multiplier?
3. What's an eligible premises are for Solar Credits?
4. What if I have received a ‘Rebate’ elsewhere?
5. Can more than one system at an address be eligible for Solar Credits?
6. Extending an existing system - can I claim Solar Credits?
7. Can I claim additional Solar Credits for off-grid systems?
Small generation unit installations may be eligible for additional STCs under the Solar Credit Scheme if they were installed on or after 9 June 2009. This allows the system owner to receive a multiplied number of STCs for the first 1.5kW of an installation which increases the financial benefit of installation. Generation from capacity above 1.5 kW is eligible for the standard 1:1 rate of STC/LGC creation.
The multiplier is the factor applied to the first 1.5kW capacity of an eligible installed system. The multiplier will reduce over time.
3. What's an eligible premises for Solar Credits?
“Eligible Premises” could be any of the following:
- a house (including the land on which the house is located and any outbuildings on the land)
- a townhouse
- a residential apartment
- a shop (including the land on which the shop is located and any outbuildings on the land)
- other premises located at an address
Please note: An outbuilding is a detached building subordinate to a main building and is not considered to be an eligible premises in its own right.
4. What if I have received a 'Rebate' elsewhere?
The system will not be eligible for Solar Credits if approval or pre-approval for Commonwealth Government rebates has been given under any of the following:
- Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP)
- National Solar Schools Program (NSSP)
- Photovoltaic Rebate Programme (PVRP)
- Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP)
If only pre-approval has been received, it needs to be cancelled before Solar Credits can be claimed.
5. Can more than one system at an address be eligible for Solar Credits?
Solar Credits can only be claimed once per eligible premise. Typically there is only one eligible premise at each address, however in some cases there may be more eg. Both a dairy on a farm and the residential house on the same farm are considered eligible premises.
If you are installing a second system at an eligible premise it may be eligible for Solar Credits if it is a completely new and separate system, it meets all other eligibility criteria and the first system has not already received approval or pre-approval for Commonwealth Government rebates or Solar Credits.
6. Extending an existing system - can I claim Solar Credits?
No. Only new and complete systems can claim Solar Credits.
7. Can I claim additional Solar Credits for off-grid systems?
For off-grid systems installed on or after 29 June 2010 and before 31 December 2012, the Solar Credits multiplier will apply up to 20 kW (previously 1.5 kW limit) provided that the system is more than 1 km from the nearest main-grid line or the cost of connecting to the grid is more than $30,000, and the annual cap has not been met. For more information please read the information sheet 'Additional Solar Credits for off-grid systems'.
For further information please contact the Green Energy Trading team on 1300 077 784 or email.