In Queensland, there are over half a million home solar systems installed. The state currently leads when it comes to solar penetration in Australian. If you are considering solar power in the state, here are details about the state’s solar rebate program and incentives.
Interest-Free Loans
The state of Queensland offers residents interest-free loans if they want to install a solar system. The loan covers both the cost and installation of the system. To be eligible, once must be a homeowner in the state. The main benefit of this loan is that unlike a bank loan, there is no interest paid during repayment. However, accessing the loan is subject to the availability of funds.
The loans available to residents of Queensland for the installation of a solar system are:
- Solar power system- a loan of up to $4500 with a 7-year term
- Battery systems- a grant of up to $3000 and a loan of up to $6000 with a 10-year term
- Solar system and solar batteries – a grant of up to $3000 and a loan of up to 10,000 with a 10-year term
The Solar Rebates Program
In Queensland, you have access to two rebates program:
- The nationwide STC program for system up to 100 kW
- The state Solar for Rentals Program for property owners
The STC (Small-scale Technology Certificates) are offered in all states in the country. For every 100 kW of estimated production between the installation date and 2030, a solar system is given one STC. The credits can be sold to electricity retails. In total, an STC certificate can reduce the installation cost by about a third.
- Solar for Rentals Program in QLD
Under the QLD Solar for Rentals program, landlords and real estate developers in the state receive rebates for installed solar capacity. The program is still in the trial phase, which means there are certain restrictions. They are:
There are only 1000 installations covered under the program initially. All must be completed by June 30, 2020.
The rebate program is up to $25000 of solar systems with a minimum of 3 kW capacity. For 4 kW systems, the amount is $3000 and $3500 for 5 kW systems.
All participating properties must install a solar monitoring system.
Each property is awarded one rebate but landlords with multiple properties are allowed individual rebates per property.
The rebate program is currently only accessible to those in the Townsville City Council, Bundaberg Regional Council, and the Gladstone Regional Council.
Participating properties have to be detached or semidetached. They must have roof space and a power meter. The properties must currently have tenants and the rent must be higher than $350 a week.
Once a solar system is installed, the tenant and landlord have to renegotiate the contract for at least 12 months. The new terms should reflect a fair increase in the rent, which transfers some of the savings made due to the solar system to the landlord.
The Solar for Rentals program was created to incentivize the use of solar power in rented properties. Currently, the market has been hard to penetrate. The reason for this is that there have been previously little to no incentives for landlords to install a solar system in a rental property.
Summary
In QLD, there are huge incentives for both landlords and homeowners to install a solar system. If you live in the state, it is the perfect time to install a solar system.
Brisbane Landlords can buy a solar system from our solar system Prices page and put it on their house for both the benefit to them and their tenants.