Solar Hot Water Rebate Programme
The Australian Government is helping Australian households install greenhouse friendly hot water technologies. Rebates of $1600 are available in eligible circumstances to install solar and heat pump hot water systems.
This measure, costing $252 million over five years, will mean households can save money and help fight global warming. Water heating is the largest single source of greenhouse gas emissions from the average Australian home, accounting for around 28 per cent of home energy use (excluding the family car).
Full details of eligibility are provided in the programme guidelines. Key criteria are listed below.
To be eligible for the rebate, a hot water system must:
- replace an electric storage hot water system
- be purchased and installed after 17 July 2007
- be a solar or heat pump hot water system that is eligible for at least 20 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) at the time and place of installation
- be verified by a Registered Agent
- be installed by a suitably qualified person (for example an electrician or plumber)
- have a warranty of at least five years.
- The dwelling where the hot water system is installed must be a principal place of residence.
- The applicant's taxable family income must have been less than $100,000 in the most recent tax year as lodged with the Australian Taxation Office.
Full information on how to apply is found in the applicant information pack.
- To claim a rebate, the applicant will need to submit an Application Form to the address below.
- An applicant has up to three months after an eligible system is installed to submit an Application Form.
- The applicant should allow 6-8 weeks for the application to be processed.
For more information you can also contact our national infoline on 1800 808 571.
Downloads - Applicant information pack
The Solar Hot Water Rebate Programme applicant's kit consists of the Programme Guidelines, the Application Checklist, the Application Form (available as both PDF and MSWord files), and Frequently Asked Questions.
Applicants should read all documents before applying.
Applicants should apply by mail to:
Solar Hot Water Rebate Programme
Australian Greenhouse Office
Department of the Environment and Water Resources
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601
To be eligible for the rebate, applicants must ensure that a Registered Agent can verify the installation.
For you to be eligible for the rebate, a Solar Hot Water Rebate Programme Registered Agent must verify that:
- The system is a new and complete hot water system that replaces an existing electric storage hot water system previously operational at the dwelling
- The system is eligible for at least 20 RECs at the time and place of installation
- The system has a warranty of at least five years.
Registered Agents are also required to provide other technical and installation details.
Finding a Registered Agent
- Major suppliers of solar and heat pump hot water systems are likely to be Registered Agents.
- Download the List of Registered Agents (last updated 20 September 2007)
(solarhotwater-agents-20sept07.pdf)
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
Under the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target, installation of solar and heat pump hot water heaters may be eligible to create Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). While households can create and trade these certificates on their own, registered agents may create and trade RECS on behalf of households. Agents will generally pay the household for the right to create RECs, meaning the cost of the hot water system to the household is reduced. This rebate will provide additional cost reductions to eligible hot water systems.
To be eligible for the rebate, a hot water system must be eligible for at least 20 RECs at the time of purchase at the installation address. A list of eligible systems is published in Schedule 7 of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001.
More information about RECs is available on the Office of the Renewable Energy website,
Finding an installer
Some registered agents may be able to assist with arranging installation. In other cases, you may need to arrange installation separately from verification by an agent, although your retailer or installer can usually provide advice on this.
To be eligible for the rebate, a hot water system must be installed by a qualified electrician or plumber as is required under standard regulations.
Seek around three quotes to ensure you are getting the best value for your system.
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