Solar Credits Scheme

The Solar Credits scheme  replaces the Solar Homes and Communities Plan rebate scheme for solar electricity systems which ended June 9 2009. Unlike the previous rebate arrangement the solar credit scheme is not be means tested, and is available to businesses as well as households and community groups.

Under the Solar Credits Scheme, small generation unit customers receive 5 times the number of RECs for the first 1.5 kW of system capacity.

Figures based on Origin’s current market rate for RECs as at 01/06/2010. REC price subject to change.

Larger solar electricity systems create more RECs and therefore further credits would be available. Eg. A 2 kW system in Sydney would create 165 RECs x $44 = $7,260 in total credits.

Eligibility requirements for the Solar Credits Scheme are as follows:

• at the time the small generation unit is installed at the eligible premises, there is no pre-approval or funding agreement in force in respect of the unit under the Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP), the Renewable Remote Power Generation (RRPGP), or the National Solar Schools Program (NSSP) and no financial assistance has been provided in respect of the unit under the SHCP, the RRPGP or the NSSP.
• at the time the small generation unit is installed at the eligible premises, financial assistance under the SHCP, the Photovoltaic Rebate Programme (PVRP), the RRPGP or the NSSP has not been approved or provided in respect of any other small generation unit at the eligible premises
• the small generation unit is a new and complete unit.
  A system is a complete unit if:
  
  • the unit is capable of generating electricity in a form that is usable at the eligible premises where it is installed.
  • the unit is wired directly to the eligible premises where the unit is installed so that its output is capable of being metered at the premises or the unit includes a meter that is dedicated to measuring the electricity output of the unit.
• at the time the small generation unit is installed at eligible premises, certificates have not been multiplied in respect of any small generation unit at the premises, and
  • only if the certificates relate to the first 1.5 kW of the rated power output of the unit.

The Regulations define an eligible premises to include:

• 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)