I have been in the solar industry for 15 years. Throughout that time, I've designed and installed for residential and commercial customers alike. I love saving people money, adding real value to peoples homes and helping create a greener future.
If you’re thinking of getting rooftop solar panels and a home battery storage system at the same time, you’re thinking smart. By taking this approach, you can get the best combination of solar and storage technology on the market. Plus, you can maximise the value of government rebates that you may be eligible for, which reduces the payback on your investment.
You may be wondering whether it’s worth spending money on battery storage now, or whether it’s better to wait until prices fall. But with electricity predicted to become more expensive, reducing your exposure to escalating power bills could be a wise move.
On this blog, we explain the five main reasons why it makes sense to install a solar battery at the same time as solar panels.
More cost-effective to install both systems at once
Maximise the value of rebates available to you
Avoid limitations set by your network distributor
Get a more powerful system
Reduce your electricity bills to near-zero
More cost-effective to install both systems at once
By installing solar panels and a battery at the same time, you cut out extra installation costs and combine the two payback periods into one. You can also save money by selecting a solar battery system that has an all-in-one inverter. This saves you from having to buy two separate inverters (one for the solar panels, the other for the battery).
Maximise the value of rebates available to you
If you live in Victoria, you may be eligible for a state government solar panels rebate (worth $1,400) or a battery rebate (worth up to $3,500 as of June 2022). Unfortunately, you can’t get both rebates. However, if you install solar panels at the same time as a battery, you are allowed to apply for the higher value battery rebate. By taking this approach, you could get the maximum rebate of $3,500 off the total cost of your system. That’s a lot better than $1,400!
Other states and territories also have generous battery rebate programs which are in addition to the federal government solar panels rebate. Combined, these rebates can reduce the total cost of your solar battery storage system by thousands of dollars.
Avoid limitations set by your network distributor
A network distributor is the company that owns and manages the poles and electricity wires in your region. Each network distributor sets its own rules regarding the size of solar battery storage system you can install on your home. Before your system is installed, you must obtain permission from the network distributor for the size system you want. (This is handled by your solar retailer on your behalf).
Some network distributors calculate the allowable system size based on total inverter capacity. This means they add together the capacity of the solar inverter to that of the battery inverter. So, if your solar inverter is 6kW and your battery inverter is 5kW, the total inverter capacity is 11kW.
The problem arises when a network distributor sets a cap on total inverter capacity – which is typically 10kW for a single-phase property (most homes are single-phase). If you go ahead and install solar panels now and try to add battery storage later (with a battery that has its own inverter) you could end up over the limit set by your network distributor.
To avoid this situation, it’s best to check with us what the rules regarding inverter capacity are for your property and network distribution area.
If there is a strict inverter capacity limit in your region, there is a way around it. And that’s to install an all-in-one inverter that combines the functionality of a solar inverter and a battery inverter.
By taking this approach, you can install the maximum size inverter allowed (for example a 10kW all-in-one inverter) which will work with your solar panels and charge your battery. This would keep you within the capacity limits of most network distributors and provide you with a system that’s large enough for most family homes.
Get a more powerful system
If you install a solar panel system at the same time as battery storage, you can potentially go a whole lot bigger with your solar. By choosing the right solar and battery technology, you should be able to install up to 200 per cent more solar panels compared to your inverter capacity. (If you just installed a solar panel system you would only be allowed to oversize the solar panels by up to 133 per cent.)
The benefit of installing up to 200 per cent more solar panels is the extra generation capacity you gain which can be used to simultaneously power your home and charge your battery. And if you decide to purchase an electric car, you should have the solar energy to charge it day and night.
Reduce your electricity bills to near-zero
Getting your electricity bills down to almost zero is realistic with the right solar battery storage system. However, the system needs to be carefully designed to maximise the power generation potential for your property and comply with any constraints set by your network distributor.
As mentioned, there are solar technologies that provide extra power generation capacity and plenty of battery storage – the leading example being the solar battery system from SolarEdge. However, to maximise the capacity of your rooftop solar system, you need to get the battery installed at the same time as the panels.
When you factor in the additional bill savings you can achieve by installing a battery at the same time as solar panels – as well as the fact that it can be more cost-effective – it’s easy to see why all-in-one solar battery storage systems like SolarEdge are taking the market by storm.
Find out more
If energy independence and lower electricity bills are on your wish list, get in touch.
We can check the requirements set by the network distributor for your property, assess your electricity usage, advise on applicable rebates, and recommend the best solar battery storage system for your home and budget.
SolarRun is a Clean Energy Council Accredited Solar Retailer and Installer, with expertise in all leading brands of solar panel systems and battery storage.
Take control of your energy costs. Find out what it takes to get your home running 24/7 on your own free solar power!
Are you thinking of purchasing an electric vehicle? If so, you’re in the majority. Recent surveys have found that three in five Australians would consider going electric for their next car purchase.
However, at present we are behind the rest of the world with uptake of electric cars. Currently 1.5 per cent of cars sold in Australia are electric and plug-in hybrid – compared to 28 per cent in Germany and 85 per cent in Norway.
What’s been holding us back?
The main obstacle has been price as the number of affordable electric cars in Australia has been limited. It’s a different story in other countries – like Germany, the UK and Norway – where governments have put in place policies to incentivize car-owners to switch from petrol and diesel cars to electric.
However, the lack of government support for EVs in Australia is set to change. The newly elected Labour Government has pledged to provide an Electric Car Discount to make electric cars more affordable. The Electric Car Discount will come into effect on 1 July 2022 and will reduce the price on a $50,000 electric car (such as the Nissan Leaf) by around $2,000.
With more government-backed price incentives, Australian should become a more attractive EV market for car manufacturers. As result, the number of EV models on the market should increase and prices become more competitive.
The other main barrier to uptake has been concern amongst car owners that the charging infrastructure isn’t sufficient for longer trips. Fortunately, this is changing with fast chargers springing up across metro and regional Australia. And with the Labour Government’s plan to invest in a national electric vehicle charging network, there should soon be fast charging stations every 150km on Australia’s major transport routes.
So, it looks like the future is bright for electric cars in Australia.
This might get you thinking: ‘What can I do to get my home ready for EV charging?’
This blog provides some practical pointers to help you get the right set-up for efficient EV charging at home:
Installing your charger – where’s best?
Power supply – have you got enough?
Solar power – can you charge your electric car for free?
Apartment dwellers – what are your options?
Installing your charger – where’s best?
The obvious place to install your EV charger is in the garage or carport. The main points to consider are:
Make sure you have a signal
EV chargers need to communicate with your smartphone app to tell your car when to charge. Most do this through WiFi so it’s important to check you have a strong WiFi signal at the location where you want the charger installed.
Which side of the garage or carport do you want the charger?
Check where the charging port is located on your car. Some electric cars have the port on the front, others on the side of the vehicle or at the rear.
Consider how this is going to work given the way you normally drive into your garage. For instance, whether you normally drive straight in, or reverse in. You’ll want to make sure the charging cable will easily reach the port, in a way that’s neat and tidy so you won’t trip over it.
Do you need a roof over the garage?
Most EV chargers are fully weatherproof so having a roof over your garage or carport isn’t essential.
Power supply – have you got enough?
Single-phase or three-phase power supply?
You first need to check whether your home is on a single-phase or three-phase power supply. Most older homes are single-phase, whereas many newer homes are three-phase.
To work out what type of power supply your home has, go to your switchboard and check the width of the main switch. If it’s one ‘pole’ wide, you’re on single-phase; if it’s three ‘poles’ wide and looks like a triple switch, you have a three-phase power supply.
How fast can you charge an electric car on single-phase and three-phase power?
With a single-phase power supply, you should be able to charge an electric car at 7.2kWh, which adds around 40 kilometres of range per hour. This compares with around 12 kilometres of range per hour on a standard power point.
If your home is on three-phase power, this will support faster charging – at around 22kWh, or 120 kilometres of range per hour.
These figures will of course vary depending on the model car and battery.
Isit worth getting three-phase power to your property?
If you’re doing a new build, the answer is – in most cases – yes. This is because the additional cost of installing three-phase is not much more than single-phase. And the benefits of having three-phase power can far outweigh the cost particularly if you are planning to make your home all-electric, powered by solar.
Will I need a dedicated circuit?
Yes, to comply with relevant standards a technician will need to install a dedicated circuit from the switchboard to the location of your charger.
Cabling
You will need to consider how far the switchboard is from the charger and how the cabling will get there. Is it possible to run it under the house or through your ceiling? It’s worth getting the advice of an electrician if you are unsure. However, if the switchboard is close to the charging location, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Solar power – can you charge your electric car for free?
Solar panel system
Adding an extra 5kW to 6kW to the size of your rooftop solar system should provide enough solar electricity to charge most EVs for free during the daytime. For most EV models, this should be enough to cover the typical daily commute.
Solar battery storage
Adding a home battery will allow you to charge your electric car overnight using your stored solar energy. This could be ideal if you aren’t home much during the day and want to get greater value from your surplus solar electricity than just exporting it to the grid in return for a small feed-in tariff.
Apartment dwellers – what are your options?
New apartment complexes
Most new apartment buildings have been built with EV charging infrastructure in mind. It’s worth asking as there’s a good chance that the set-up is already in place for fast charging.
Older apartment buildings
These can be more challenging for EV charging however there are several options, depending on what your owner’s corporation or strata manager will allow.
For example, it may be possible to connect your apartment EV charger directly to your apartment’s meter. It all depends on how the metering is set up for the apartment complex.
It’s worth getting in touch with the apartment body corporate to see if they have an EV charging policy. Chances are you won’t be the only person in the apartment who’s interested in charging an EV!
Want advice about EV charging and solar for your home?
If you would like to know about the feasibility of setting up efficient EV charging at your home that’s powered by solar – get in touch.
Solar and home EV charging are an ideal combination. A home EV charger makes it possible to generate an even better return from a rooftop solar system. That’s because the value of the solar energy is so much greater if you can use it to power your car for free.
At SolarRun, we’re not only experts in everything solar – we’re also a Registered Electrical Contractor with expertise in EV charging.
Australian households already buffeted by the rising cost-of-living, will soon be hit with electricity price hikes of up to 18 per cent. From July 1, the benchmark price for electricity will rise across most Australian states adding hundreds of dollars a year to energy bills.
The decision to increase benchmark electricity prices was made by the Australian Energy Regulator. These price increases relate to the so-called Default Market Offer or DMO, which is the maximum price electricity retailers can charge households and small businesses.
The war in the Ukraine, severe weather events in NSW and Queensland and global market instability are the main reasons why benchmark pricing is set to rise, according to the regulator.
For some families the increase in benchmark pricing will amount to more than $250, putting the average residential electricity bill up to $1,434, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
On this blog:
What is a benchmark electricity price?
What is the benchmark electricity price increase in my state?
Are state governments providing electricity rebates?
Why solar panels are the best protection from skyrocketing electricity prices
What is a benchmark electricity price?
The benchmark electricity price is the maximum price electricity retailers are allowed to charge customers in each state of Australia.
The technical term for the benchmark electricity price is the ‘Default Market Offer’ or DMO and it is set by the Australian Energy Regulator and Victoria’s Essential Services Commission.
By shopping around for better deals, households and businesses will be able to find electricity deals that are lower than the default market offer.
Only around 10 per cent of Australian households are on the default market offer; the rest are on competitive electricity contracts that are less expensive.
What is the benchmark electricity price increase in my state?
Here are the increases in the benchmark electricity prices in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia from July 1, 2022.
For households
NSW: between 8.5 per cent and 18.3 per cent
South-east Queensland: from 11.3 per cent to 12.6 per cent
South Australia: from 7.2 per cent to 9.5 per cent
Victoria: 5 per cent
For small businesses
NSW: up to 19.7 per cent
South-east Queensland: up to 12.8 per cent
South Australia: up to 5.7 per cent
Victoria: 5 per cent
Are state governments providing electricity rebates?
In response to benchmark price increases, residents in NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia will soon be able to receive support from their state government with rebates on their electricity bills.
Here are the rebates that are announced for each state:
Electricity rebates by state, from July 1 2022
Eligibility criteria apply?
Rebate value
NSW
Yes, for those having trouble paying their electricity bills. Check eligibility.
Up to $1,600 (up to $400 per application for electricity and up to $400 per application for gas bills twice a year)
Queensland
Available to all Queensland households
$175 rebate on their next power bill
Victoria
Available to all Victorian households but you need to register for the rebate on the Government’s Energy Compare website.
$250 one-off payment
South Australia
Yes, for those having trouble paying their electricity bills.
Up to $233.60 in support payments.
Western Australia
Available to more than 1 million West Australians.
$400 credit on their power bill
Why solar panels are the best protection from skyrocketing electricity prices
The best way to reduce your exposure to electricity price inflation is to install solar panels on your home. From day one, you benefit from lower electricity bills plus and gain protection from rising electricity prices.
According to industry experts, these benchmark electricity price increases are ‘just the start’. Smaller electricity retailers who are more exposed to volatility in the wholesale electricity market are predicted to go bust. This will reduce competition in the market resulting in electricity retail prices rising as high as 50 per cent according to Bruce Mountain, head of the Victorian Energy Policy Centre.
What’s clear is that the economic rationale for going solar is stronger than ever. And with solar panel prices becoming ever more affordable, the upfront cost is probably less than you think.
Plus, if you are interested in becoming almost entirely energy self-sufficient, investing in battery storage is the way to go. Home battery storage is taking off as prices reduce and state governments provide more battery rebates. For any household with an eye to the ‘all-electric home’ and electric vehicles, solar plus battery storage is way to make it happen!
Get in touch
If you want to ‘go solar’ and beat the electricity price hikes, get in touch.
As one of Australia’s largest solar companies, we have the skills and expertise to ensure you get the best solar system for your home.
SolarRun is a Clean Energy Council Accredited Solar Retailer and Installer with offices across Australia. Because of our scale, our prices are amongst the most competitive on the market. What’s more, we back up every solar installation with warranties that meet and exceed industry standards.
Australian households looking to get solar panels can access government rebates and incentives that cut the cost of going solar.
There are three types of solar panel rebates and incentives available to Australian households:
Government rebates
Government interest-free loans
Feed-in tariffs
Other types of rebates
On this blog, we explain what each rebate or incentive is, what it is worth, and how to claim it.
Government rebates
There are federal and state government rebates available for Aussie households who want to install a solar panels system. These rebates reduce the cost of rooftop solar, by around 30 per cent or more.
Federal government solar rebate
This rebate is available Australia-wide on solar panel systems under 100kW in size. Technically, this is not a solar rebate; the official name for this federal government incentive is Small-scale Technology Certificates, or STCs.
STCs are worth around $430 for every kilowatt of solar panels installed. For example, if you installed a 10kW solar panel system, the STC rebate is worth around $4,300. This brings down the price of a mid-range 10kW solar PV system to approximately $9,500. Without the STC rebate, the price would be around $13,800 – so this rebate is worth having!
Anyone installing a grid-connected solar panel system will be eligible for this rebate – regardless of where they live in Australia. The only eligibility criteria are that the solar panels and solar inverter are on the approved product list of the Clean Energy Council and that the system is installed by an accredited Clean Energy Council installer.
The way STCs work is like a point-of-sale discount. You don’t get a cheque in the post. Instead, you sign over the STCs for your system to your installer who batches them up and them trades them in. When you see the prices of solar power systems advertised, it will always be after the value of the STCs has been deducted.
The value of STCs will depend on your geographic location, the date your solar system is installed and the market value of STCs. If you live in the sunniest parts of Australia, the STCs for your solar system will be worth more – and if you live down south, the STCs will be worth a bit less.
If you request a quote from SolarRun, you will clearly see the number and value of STCs for your proposed solar panel system as a line item in the quote.
STCs are based on the Zone you live in. Zone 1 qualifies for the highest value of STCs; Zone 4 has the lowest value. Regardless of which Zone you live in, STCs provide a significant reduction in the cost of a solar panel system.
STC Zone Map of Australia
STC Zone map
The STC scheme is gradually being phased out and will end in 2030. Each year on the 1st of January, the value of STCs reduces by around 10 per cent as part of the phase out program.
Act now to install solar – and get the STCs at their current higher value.
State government solar panel rebates
Two state governments provide solar panel rebates: Victoria and NSW.
Victoria
The Victorian solar panel rebate is administered through the state government’s Solar Homes Program. This 10-year program provides a rebate on solar panel installations for homeowner and rental properties worth up to $1,400.
The rebate works as a point-of-sale discount. The eligibility criteria are more extensive than for the STC rebate, but basically you need to have a household income of less than $180,000, a property worth under $3m – that doesn’t have solar panels on it. However, early adopters of solar who installed their systems over 10 years ago may be eligible.
This rebate is one you need to apply for via the Solar Homes program. You must have your eligibility approved by the Solar Homes program prior to having your system installed.
If you’d like help with the application process, get in touch with the team at SolarRun or check out the Solar Home website.
NSW
The NSW government offers a Solar for Low Income Households program which is currently available in selected locations in the state but will widen over the next 12 months to include households in more parts of NSW. This offer helps homeowners on low incomes reduce their electricity bills by installing 3 kilowatt solar systems on their homes. For more information, get in touch with SolarRun or visit the NSW government website.
Government interest-free loans
The only state government to provide an interest-free loan for residential solar panel system is the Victorian government. This loan is available to households who apply for the solar panel rebate at the same time. The application process is straightforward and, if eligible, the value of the loan is deducted from the price of your solar system.
Up to $1,400 interest-free loan for homeowners and rental properties
Works as a further discount on the upfront cost of your solar system
A feed-in tariff is the rate you are paid for any electricity generated by your solar panel system that is exported to the grid.
Feed-in tariffs are not a rebate. Rather, they are an ongoing financial credit you receive in return for surplus electricity your solar system is allowed to send to the grid.
Feed-in tariffs vary state by state. They also vary between electricity retailers.
Some state government set a mandated minimum value for the feed-in tariff (these change from time to time). Retailers can of course choose to pay their customers the minimum – or offer a bit more.
Other state governments don’t set a minimum feed-in tariff. Electricity retailers therefore set their own offers for recompensing householders for their solar electricity.
Solar feed-in tariffs: state by state as of May 2022
State
Mandated minimum Feed-in Tariff
Value of mandated minimum Feed-in Tariff
Victoria
Yes
6.7 cents per kilowatt hour
NSW
No
NA
QLD
No
NA
ACT
No
NA
NT
No
NA
South Australia
No
NA
Tasmania
No
NA
WA
No
No
Note: It is always worth checking every aspect of the deal with your electricity retailer as some may offer a high feed-in, but raise the daily supply charge or the rate for grid electricity.
Other types of rebates
If you are installing a battery as well as solar panels, you may be eligible for a battery rebate. Likewise, if you’re upgrading to an energy-efficient hot water heat pump system, there may be rebates you can get which will cut the purchase price.
To learn more about other types of rebates you may be eligible for, get in touch with the team at SolarRun today. We’ll be able to explain exactly what rebates you can access, their value and the reduction this will be on the cost of your solar system.
Acting now to secure government rebates is always a good idea, as the value of government incentives can change from time to time.
And, of course, the sooner you get solar, the sooner you cut your electricity bills.
SolarEdge, the world’s #1 inverter manufacturer, has launched its SolarEdge Home Battery in Australia. The SolarEdge Home Battery is a 10-kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery that plugs straight into the SolarEdge inverter. It is part of the SolarEdge Energy Hub, a future-proof solar solution for solar panels, battery storage, EV-charging and smart appliances.
This blog explains the main benefits of the SolarEdge Home Battery:
More storage power for your home
More power during a black-out
Add more solar panels – oversize by up to 200%
Avoid limits set by network distributors
Enhanced safety
Ready for fast EV charging
Industry-leading warranty
Faster overall payback
Key facts
Before explaining the benefits of the SolarEdge Home Battery, here are some quick facts about it:
10kWh lithium-ion battery
7kWh usable storage
5kWh of continuous power
DC-coupled (doesn’t need an in-built battery inverter)
Works with SolarEdge solar inverters
Black-out protection
Up to 94.5% efficiency
Built-in fire extinguisher
Whisper quiet – under 25 decibels
Indoor or outdoor installation
SolarEdge Home Battery: Benefits
More storage power for your home
Our homes work on AC (alternating current) power which is around 240 volts. Power from solar panels is DC power (direct current) which is around 600 volts. The job of solar power systems is to convert DC power into AC power for use in the home.
All solar batteries require DC power to charge the battery. The most efficient way of charging a battery is to use the DC power straight from the solar panel system.
This is how DC-coupled batteries like the SolarEdge Home Battery work. They use the DC power straight from the solar panel system to charge the battery. When power from the battery is needed in the home, it is converted to AC power – just once – by a hybrid solar and battery inverter. The key thing to remember about DC coupled batteries is that there is only one power conversion from DC to AC power. This increases the overall system efficiency and means more power for your home.
In contrast, AC-coupled batteries like the Tesla Powerwall 2 require a built-in inverter to convert AC power to DC power to charge the battery – and then back to AC power for use in the home. Whenever power is converted from AC to DC, or vice versa, there is a loss of power in the conversion process. So, the less times a solar system converts power to and from DC to AC the better.
AC-coupled battery systems have up to three power conversion processes. DC-coupled solar and battery systems have just one. That’s why a DC-coupled battery like the SolarEdge Home Battery produces more power for your home.
More power during a black-out
To get the full black-out protection, you need the SolarEdge Energy Hub Inverter installed together with the SolarEdge Home Battery system. With this set-up, homes with a single-phase power connection can continue to charge the battery from solar panels throughout a power outage.
SolarEdge Home Battery also has “an adaptive boost” feature which produces more power during an outage so you can run more large appliances – like air conditioning and dishwashers – for longer during a black-out.
Avoid limits set by network distributors
Depending on where you live, your network distributor may calculate the total size of the solar system you are allowed by adding the capacity of your battery inverter to the capacity of your solar inverter in order to calculate your total allowed capacity.
For example:
Solar inverter capacity (10kW) + Battery inverter capacity (7.6kW) = Total capacity (17.6kW)
If you purchase a DC-coupled battery like SolarEdge this isn’t a problem. That’s because the SolarEdge Home Battery doesn’t include a battery inverter. Instead, the solar inverter that comes with the SolarEdge solar panel system does the job of both solar and battery inverter. What this means is that a SolarEdge 10kW solar inverter will count as a 10kW of total inverter capacity. This will pass the rules for most network distributors in Australia.
However, if you purchase an AC-coupled battery like Tesla Powerwall 2 it will include a battery inverter (with a capacity of 7.6kW). The capacity of the Powerwall battery inverter (7.6kW) will be added to the capacity of your solar inverter (for example 10kW). If you happen to live in a network area that adds together battery inverter capacity with solar inverter capacity, you may find you’ve gone over their size limit (e.g., 7.6kW + 10kW), and you won’t be allowed to install the system.
Given that most network distributors only allow 5kW or 10kW of inverter capacity per phase, you can easily go over this size limit if you try to install an AC-coupled battery on your solar panel system.
To avoid this issue, there are two things you can do:
Find out from us if your network distributor has this rule about solar system sizing
If they do, purchase a DC-coupled battery (like SolarEdge) which doesn’t include a battery inverter. By doing this, you avoid the sizing limit set by the network distributor as your battery won’t count towards the total size solar system you are allowed to install.
Add more solar panels – oversize by up to 200%
Most network distributors allow you to install 133% of solar panel capacity based on the inverter capacity. So, if the inverter is 10kW, you can install up to 13.3kW of solar panels. This oversizing of solar panels is really worthwhile as you generate more electricity, and the extra panels are subsidized by the federal government STC rebate.
With the SolarEdge Home Battery, the oversizing of solar panels is even better. Because it is a DC-coupled system with a hybrid solar inverter, you are allowed to oversize the panels by up to 200% of the solar inverter capacity.
For example, if you have a 10kW SolarEdge inverter you can add up to 20kW of solar panels (if allowed). This can be useful if you later decide to add more solar panels to charge an electric vehicle or make your home all-electric.
With SolarEdge, you can add any type of solar panel to your system down the track. Today, you may have 390-watt solar panels installed. Next year, the standard panel could well be 450-watt. With SolarEdge, this isn’t a problem thanks to their clever panel-level optimization technology. With standard string inverter solar systems, adding mismatched solar panels isn’t possible.
Enhanced safety
Temperature sensors and a fire extinguisher are built into the SolarEdge Home Battery providing an added level of safety not normally found in home battery systems. If the battery overheats, an alert will be sent via the SolarEdge monitoring system to the solar owner and installer. If the battery temperature becomes dangerously hot, the fire extinguisher will automatically activate and put out any fire.
Ready for fast EV charging
SolarEdge are bringing out a SolarEdge fast EV (electric vehicle) charger later in 2022, which is compatible with the SolarEdge Home Battery system. You will be able to control the EV charging using from the same app as your SolarEdge Home Battery.
The SolarEdge fast Level 2 EV charger will enable you to charge your electric car up to eight times faster than a Level 1 charger (the technical term for plugging your car into an ordinary household outlet).
Industry-leading warranty
The SolarEdge Home Battery comes with a 10-year product warranty with unlimited cycles. It also guarantees at least 70% original battery capacity at end of ten years. Many other batteries provide a product warranty of either 10-years or a certain number of cycles – and only guarantee around 60% usable capacity at the end of 10 years.
The SolarEdge Home Battery warranty is good, particularly if you think you’ll use the battery most days and if you’d like the opportunity to join a Virtual Power Plant (which pays more for your solar exports than the solar feed-in tariff). Virtual Power Plant programs work by drawing on the stored energy in your battery, which means you battery will do more cycles. With the SolarEdge Home Battery warranty, this isn’t a problem as the VPP isn’t going to affect your product warranty.
Faster overall payback
For all the reasons outlined above, the SolarEdge Home Battery enables you to get a faster payback on your total solar power system when compared with other solar battery systems.
In particular, the fact that you are allowed to add up to 200% more solar panels when you install the SolarEdge Home Battery gives you the scope to make your home all-electric, cut your home energy bills to virtually zero and run your electric car for free.
Request a quote
To get a quote for a SolarEdge Home Battery for your home or business, get in touch. We’ll go through the specifics of installing a battery on your property and advise on network rules applying in your area. We’ll can calculate the percentage of your total home electricity usage that will be covered by a SolarEdge solar battery system and provide a quote with the costs and bill savings. Also, if you’re interested in sizing up your system to cater for in-home EV charging, we can do that too.
*In revenues according to IHS PV inverter market tracker, 2021
Yes, a commercial solar panel system is worth buying if you are a business owner who leases their premises.
That’s because most businesses consume the majority of their electricity between 9am and 5pm, which is when solar panels work the hardest. By using free solar to power your business, you avoid paying high grid electricity rates; this is where the biggest savings are to be made with solar.
But that’s not all there is to it. There are also tax incentives and government rebates for business owners who install solar on their leased premises. Combined, these financial incentives can shorten the payback on solar to as quick as 1-2 years.
This blog reviews the main financial incentives for business owners to install solar on their leased premises:
Instant asset write-off
Small-scale technology certificates
State government solar rebates
Instant asset write-off
Businesses with a turnover of up to $5 billion are entitled to immediately deduct the full cost of eligible depreciable assets like a solar panel system and battery storage.
In the Federal Budget 2021-22, the Government announced an extension of the instant asset write-off by one year to 30 June 2023.
How it works
The eligible asset must be purchased after 6 October 2020 and installed ready for use by 30 June 2022 (this will be extended to 30 June 2023 if the announced changes are enacted).
You may be able to borrow funds to finance the solar system and still be allowed to claim the instant asset write-off regardless of whether you own or rent your premises.
Deduction claims may be made for the year in which the equipment is used or installed ready for use. This may be the same year in which you finance the equipment.
You could install several solar systems (within the allowed timeframe) and still be entitled to claim the entire project as an instant asset write-off within the same financial year.
This means you could arrange lease finance for a solar panel system through SolarRun (for a period of your choosing) and still claim the instant asset write-off in the 2021-2022 financial year. Or, if more suitable, install the system with lease finance the following financial year (assuming the changes in the Budget are enacted) and claim instant asset-write off in 2022-2023.
What is the instant asset write-off worth?
How much would a small or medium size business save on solar using the instant asset write-off and other government incentives?
Let’s take the example of a 39kW solar panel system with a 30kW solar inverter installed in Melbourne.
Gross system value
$40,000
Instant asset write-off (30% company tax rate)
$10,500
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
$15,300
Net system value
$9,200
Note: All figures are approximates as of May 2022
As this example shows, the business would save around $25,800 on the cost of a 39kW solar power system with a combination of the instant asset-write off and federal government STCs.
With these financial incentives, the projected payback on a 39kW solar panel system for a business that consumes at least 50 per cent of their solar power is around two years.
This demonstrates that on a commercial lease of five or seven years, there’s potential to get the full savings from solar for at least three years on a typical commercial lease – assuming the solar is installed towards the beginning of the lease.
Small-scale technology certificates
If you install a solar panel system up to 100kW in size, it should qualify for Small-scale Technology Certificates or STCs. This incentive is provided by the Federal Government and effectively works as a point-of-sale discount reducing the purchase cost of a solar system. It is available on eligible solar panel systems installed by an accredited solar retailer/installer.
A business owner leasing their premises will qualify for STCs for their solar panel system – you don’t need to own the building to get the STCs.
The value of STCs depends on where in Australia your business is located. It also depends on the date your system is installed and the market value of STCs at the time.
Value of STC discount for 40kW and 100kW commercial solar systems (approx)
40kW Solar System STC discount
100kw Solar System STC discount
Amount STC Certificates
STC Rebate amount ex GST
Amount STC Certificates
STC Rebate amount ex GST
Victoria
426
$15,762
1065
$39,405
NSW
497
$18,389
1242
$45,954
Queensland
497
$18,389
1242
$45,954
South Australia
497
$18,389
1242
$45,954
Perth
497
$18,389
1242
$45,954
Tasmania
426
$15,762
1065
$39,405
Northern Territory
552
$20,424
1381
$51,097
As of May 2022
If your solar panel system is larger than 100kW, it should quality for Large-scale Generation Certificates, or LGCs. LGCs work differently from STCs. Instead of receiving an upfront discount on the system price, LGCs provide your business with a regular revenue stream that helps to offset the cost of the solar system over time.
Both STCs and LGCs are gradually reducing in value each year and will be phased out completely by 31 December 2030. By acting now, you’ll be able to get the maximum value from this government solar incentive before the value drops.
State government rebates
In certain states and territories including Victoria and the ACT, there are state government rebates for businesses installing solar panels or battery storage on the commercial premises that they lease. In addition, there are state government interest-free solar loans that further reduce the upfront cost of solar.
As always with government rebates, it’s a good idea to check them out and find out if there’s an expiry date. Certainly, the Victorian solar panels rebate for businesses – currently worth $3,500 – will drop 50 per cent in value once the current allocation has run out.
With the federal STC rebate and tax incentive, as well as state rebates and interest-free loans, there’s never been a better time for businesses – including those who lease their premises – to invest in solar.
We can advise on the rebates and incentives that your business may qualify for – and what they are worth. We’ll also provide a quote that shows the bills savings and payback you could expect from a solar system installed on your premises.
At SolarRun, we are experts in commercial solar – from smaller 20-30kW systems up to 100kW+. And as one of Australia’s largest solar retailers, we have the buying power to provide our customers with the best prices for high quality solar systems.
This blog provides a state-by-state guide to the solar panel and battery rebates that Australian households can access in 2022.
There are three main sources of solar rebates and financial incentives for Australians installing solar panels or a battery on their home:
Federal Government
State Government
Your electricity retailer (with the solar feed-in tariff)
On this blog, we explain what these rebates are, what they’re worth, and how to access them.
This blog covers:
Overview of solar rebates across Australia
Solar rebates state by state
Federal Government solar rebate
State-specific solar rebates programs
Victoria
NSW
South Australia
ACT
Northern Territory
Solar feed-in tariffs
Overview of solar rebates across Australia
At present, federal rebates for installing solar panels in Australia are excellent.
At a state-level, there is a lot a variation in terms of what’s on offer. Some states have generous rebate programs, others have nothing at all.
Solar feed-in tariffs are available in every state. Some state governments set a mandated minimum amount for the feed-in tariff; others don’t and leave it up to the electricity retailers to set feed-in tariffs as they see fit.
Solar rebates and incentives are subject to change as government policies change.
Now, rebates for solar are well worth having no matter where you live in Australia. This is thanks to the largest rebate of them all – the Federal Government solar rebate, officially referred to as Small-scale Technology Certificates, or STCs.
Solar rebates will reduce in coming years; certainly, the Federal Government STCs are slowly being phased out on an annual basis through to 2030. Acting now to secure rebates at their current levels makes sense.
This table provides an overview of the solar rebates and other financial incentives for households, by state.
Household Solar Panel and Battery Rebates and Loans, State by State in Australia 2022
State
Federal Government
State Government
STCs
Solar panels rebate
Solar panels loan
Battery rebate
Battery loan
Feed-in tariff
Victoria
✓
✓
✓
✓
X
✓
NSW
✓
X
✓
✓
✓
✓
South Australia
✓
X
X
✓
✓
✓
ACT
✓
✓
X
✓
X
✓
Northern Territory
✓
✓
X
✓
X
✓
Western Australia
✓
X
X
X
X
✓
Queensland
✓
X
X
X
X
✓
Tasmania
✓
X
X
X
X
✓
As this table shows, no matter where you live in Australia you will be eligible for the Federal Government solar rebates, called STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates). In addition, you will be eligible for a solar feed-in tariff assuming your network distributor allows you to export your surplus solar to the grid.
The states and territories that offer households one or more types of solar or battery rebate, or loan are: Victoria, NSW, South Australia, the ACT, and the Northern Territory.
The states that do not currently provide any state-level rebate or incentive for solar panels are Western Australia, Queensland, and Tasmania. Even for households in these states, solar is generally a great investment with a payback of between three and five years.
Federal Government solar rebate
The correct term for the federal government solar rebate is Small-scale Technology Certificates or STCs. Unlike state government rebates, STCs are not means-tested. On average, STCs reduce the upfront purchase cost of a solar panel system by around 30 per cent.
Households can achieve a payback on a solar panel system of between three to five years, purely with the federal government STCs. If you’re lucky enough to live in a state that offers more in the way of rebates, your payback may be even quicker.
STCs are currently worth around $430 per kilowatt of solar panels installed. The exact amount you get for each STC certificate depends on:
Your geographic location
The sunniest parts of Australia receive a higher value for each STC
The date your solar panel system is installed
Install before the 1st of January each year to avoid the annual reduction in STC value based on the deeming period (STCs end completely in 2030)
The market value of STCs
STCs are a tradeable commodity; as such their value can fluctuate at any time.
On a 10kW solar panel system, the STCs will be worth around $4,300. The advertised price you see for solar panel systems will always be net of STCs.
When you request a quote for a solar system through SolarRun, we will include a line item that shows the number of STCs your system is eligible for, and their value.
STCs operate as a point-of-sale discount. You don’t receive a cheque in the post for STCs. Instead, you assign them to your Solar Retailer or Installer and their value is deducted from your quote, and you pay the balance, net of STCs. Your installer will batch up the STCs, and then trade them in for cash on the STC market. They take the risk of any variation in the STC price, not you.
For your system to be eligible for STCs, you need to purchase it through a Clean Energy Council Accredited Solar Installer such as SolarRun and the solar panels and solar inverter must be on the Clean Energy Council approved product list. The system must be grid-connected and no larger than 100kW.
State-specific solar rebates programs
Victoria
Solar panels rebate for homeowners
Program: Solar Homes Program
Rebate value: Up to $1,400
Eligibility criteria include:
Combined household income no greater than $180k
Property value no greater than $3m
Do not have solar panels installed (unless before November 2009).
Solar panels loan for homeowners
Program: Solar Homes Program
Loan value: Up to $1,400
Eligibility criteria include:
Same as solar panels rebate
Solar system must save the customer more money than the loan repayment amount
Solar panels rebate for rental properties
Program: Solar Homes Program
Rebate value: Up to $1,400
Eligibility criteria include:
Renters have a combined household income no greater than $180k
Property value no greater than $3m
the property is currently tenanted with a rental agreement in place
a Solar Homes Rental provider-Renter Agreement is signed by the rental provider and all renters
Solar panels loan for rental properties
Program: Solar Homes Program
Loan value: Up to $1,400
Eligibility criteria include:
Landlord provides a satisfactory credit report that is less than 12 months old
Solar battery rebate
Program: Solar Homes Program
Rebate value: Up to $3,500
Eligibility criteria include:
Must be owner-occupier
Combined household income no greater than $180k
Property value no greater than $3m
You already have at least 5kW of solar panels on the roof; or you are arranging to have at least 5kW of solar panels installed at the same time as the battery installation
You have not already received a rebate under the Solar Homes program (e.g. for solar panels)
NSW
Solar panels and battery loans
Program: Empowering Homes
Loan value:
Up to $14,000 interest-free loan for a solar panel and battery system
Up to $9,000 interest-free loan for retrofitting a battery to an existing solar panel system
Low-interest loan: Available for battery storage and solar panel systems (if part of the installation) funded by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation
Eligibility criteria include:
Property must be grid connected
The applicant must be the owner of the property or have consent from the owner to install a battery system
Only approved eligible equipment to be installed by a qualified system provider
ACT
Battery rebates
Program: Next Generation Energy Storage Grants
Rebate value:
$3,500 (exc. GST) or 50% of the battery price (exc. GST) – whichever is lowest
Eligibility criteria include:
For homes within the ACT including Hall, Tharwa and Oaks Estate, but not Jervis Bay Territory
Solar panels rebates
Program: Solar for Low Income Households
Rebate value: Up to $2,500
Eligibility criteria include:
Hold a Pensioner Concession Car
Owner-occupier
No solar panels currently on your roof
Northern Territory
Battery rebates
Program: Home and Business Battery Scheme
Rebate value: Up to $6,000
Eligibility criteria include:
You are a registered owner of a residential property in the NT
You are purchasing an eligible battery including solar panels which will be installed at the same time; or you are adding an eligible battery to an existing solar panel system
Solar Feed-in Tariffs
A solar feed-in tariff is the rate you are paid for any electricity generated by your solar panel system that you are allowed to export to the grid.
Your network distributor will approve your solar system for grid connection and let you know how much solar electricity you are allowed to export. This varies by distributor and by property.
When you request a quote from SolarRun, we submit a pre-approval for grid connection to your network distributor which tells us exactly how much solar electricity you are allowed to export from your property to the electricity grid.
At present, the only state government to set a mandated minimum feed-in tariff is Victoria where the minimum is 6.7 cents per kilowatt hour.
If you shop around, regardless of which state you live in, you’ll find that electricity retailers compete to attract customers with higher feed-in tariffs.
The Australian average feed-in tariff currently is around 7 cents per kilowatt hour. You can get higher than that, but just be careful to check all other aspects of your electricity tariff structure. Some electricity retailers entice customers with a high feed-in tariff, but then charge over the odds for other services – such as the daily supply charge and electricity usage from the grid.
To check out what feed-in tariff you could get, use the Australian Government website Energy Made Easy or, if you live in Victoria, visit the Victorian Government’s website Victorian Energy Compare.
Got any rebate questions?
If you’re have any questions about the rebates and incentives you might be eligible for, get in touch.
At SolarRun, we operate Australia-wide – that’s why we know which rebates households can apply for in every state.
SolarRun is one of Australia’s top four Solar Retailers by volume. We’re a Clean Energy Council Accredited Solar Retailer and every installation is carried out by Clean Energy Council Accredited Installers.
If you’re looking for a good deal on quality solar and batteries, talk to us today.
More small businesses will be able to access the benefits of solar power with the support of a solar rebate thanks to a recent announcement by the Victorian Government.
Now, Victorian businesses with up to 50 employees can apply for a $3,500 solar panels rebate. Previously only businesses with up to 20 employees could apply.
The business solar rebate is available to those businesses who lease their premises, as well as businesses who own their premises.
The business solar rebate is available via the Victorian Government’s Solar for Business Program which is administered by Solar Victoria.
New: Victorian Government interest-free loan
The state government also announced that businesses can now apply for a government interest-free loan of between $1,000 and $5,000 to further reduce the purchase cost of a solar panel installation.
You have the option of paying over 12 or 24 months or can be repaid sooner in one lump sum.
This interest-free loan is also available via the Solar for Business Program.
Total value of Victorian Government’s business solar incentives
The upfront cost of a solar panel installation can be reduced by up to $8,500 for those businesses who successfully apply for the business solar rebate and government interest-free loan available from the Solar for Business Program.
On this blog:
Is my business eligible for the Victorian business solar rebate?
What size solar system is eligible for the Victorian business solar rebate?
Can I also get the federal government solar rebate for my small business?
What’s the total value of the Victorian and Federal Governments solar rebates?
Are these rebates going to reduce anytime soon?
Is my business eligible for the Victorian business solar rebate?
Eligibility criteria for the Solar for Business rebate include:
The business must operate from premises that are non-residential
You must be the owner of a business that employs at least one person, not including the business owner, and less than 50 full time equivalent (FTE) employees
The solar panel system must be installed by a Solar Victoria approved Solar Retailer such as SolarRun and be on the approved product list published by Solar Victoria.
What size solar system is eligible for the Victorian business solar rebate?
The Victoria Solar for Business rebate and interest-free loan are available for grid-connected solar panel systems up to 30kW in size.
This size limit is based on inverter capacity, not solar panels capacity. This means businesses may be able to install up to 39kW of solar panels with a 30kW solar inverter. (The reason for this is because most network distributors allow the solar panels to be oversized by up to 133% in relation to the solar inverter capacity).
Why would you want to oversize solar panels for your commercial solar system?
Oversizing solar panels results in a faster payback for most solar owners, compared to sizing the panels the same as the inverter. This is because:
Your system generates more solar power (that’s because solar panels rarely produce as much power as their rated capacity so adding more panels helps the inverter to run at higher efficiency).
Your business receives a bigger federal government solar rebate because the federal solar rebates (known as STCs) are calculated on the solar panel capacity – not inverter capacity.
Can I also get the federal government solar rebate for my business?
The Victorian Government’s business solar rebate and interest-free loan are in addition to the federal government solar rebate, referred to as Small-scale Technology Certificates or STCs.
STCs reduce the purchase price of a grid-connected solar system by around 30 per cent and are available for solar panel systems up to 100kW in size.
What’s the total value of the Victorian and Federal Governments solar rebates?
The total value of Victorian and Federal Government solar rebates and incentives on a 39kW solar panel system is around $24,880. This comprises:
Federal Government STCs – worth around $430 for every kilowatt of solar panels installed at the time of writing (May 2022)
Victorian Business Solar Rebate – worth up to $3,500 (Solar for Business Program)
Victorian Business Solar Interest-free Loan – worth up to $5,000 (Solar for Business Program)
This table shows the total value of Victorian and Federal Government solar rebates and incentives for small businesses based on three different size systems.
Size of solar panel system ( based on panel capacity)
20kW
30kW
39kW
Victorian solar rebate
$3,500
$3,500
$3,500
Victorian interest-free loan (up to)
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
STCs
$8,600
$12,900
$16,380
Total (up to)
$17,100
$21,400
$24,880
To be eligible for the STC rebate, you must have your system installed by a Clean Energy Council Accredited Installer, such as SolarRun, and the solar panels and inverter must be on the Clean Energy Council approved product list.
Are these rebates reducing anytime soon?
Yes, both the Victorian and Federal Government’s business solar rebates will reduce in value over the next six to twelve months.
Victorian Business Solar Rebate – this will drop from $3,500 to $1,750 once the current allocation of rebates has been used up. As of 18/5/2022, there are just over 3,200 business solar rebates. When these are fully allocated, the value of the rebate will reduce.
Federal Government Solar Rebate (STCs) – the value of STCs fluctuates as STCs are a tradeable commodity. Currently the STC price is quite strong (at around $36 per STC certificate) however this could reduce at any time should the number of STCs being traded increases. In addition, the value of STCs will reduce by around nine per cent on the 1st of January every year. This because the deeming period for the STC program is reduced annually which, in turn, reduces the STC value. The STC program will close on 31st December 2030.
Get in touch
If you’d like to find out more about business solar rebates, and receive a quote for a commercial solar system, get in touch.
SolarRun is a Solar Victoria approved Solar Retailer, a Clean Energy Council Accredited Solar Retailer employing Clean Energy Council Accredited Installers.
We are one of Australia’s top four Solar Retailers. This means we can offer your business the best prices for high quality commercial solar power systems. Plus, our customer service and system warranties are amongst the best in the industry.
Learn more about the benefits of commercial solar.
Winter is approaching. As the weather gets cooler, the number of days that are cloudy and overcast are increasing. If you’re thinking about getting solar panels on your home, this may be a concern. You may be wondering whether solar panels still work when its cloudy. Do solar panels need direct sunlight to generate power? How well do solar panels work on cold days? Will your solar panels produce enough electricity to power your home throughout winter?
On this blog:
Do solar panels still work when it’s cloudy?
How much electricity do solar panels generate on a cloudy day?
How well do solar panels work on cold days?
Which solar panels work best when it’s overcast?
Can I still save on my electricity bills with solar over winter?
Do solar panels still work when it’s cloudy?
The answer is yes, solar panels still produce electricity on cloudy days. They just produce less power than on sunny days, depending on the quality and efficiency of the solar panels.
As most people living in Australia know, it’s a good idea to put on sunscreen even when it’s cloudy outside. That’s because solar radiation penetrates the clouds, even on overcast days. That’s the same reason why solar panels still work on cloudy days.
It goes without saying that solar panels need sunlight to work. But what’s interesting is that the sunlight can either be:
direct sunlight (like on a clear sunny day), or
indirect sunlight (on an overcast day).
Once sunlight hits a solar panel, photons from the sun are converted into electrons. These electrons then pass through the cells of a solar panel and are converted into direct current (DC) electricity.
How much electricity do solar panels generate on a cloudy day?
With solar panel technology improvements in efficiency, modern solar panels still operate reasonably well on cloudy days. The exact amount of solar energy production on a cloudy day depends on several factors including:
thickness of the cloud cover
duration of cloudy conditions
quality and efficiency of the solar panels
orientation and tilt of the solar panels on the roof
As a rule of thumb, a good quality solar panel will produce around 25 per cent to 40 per cent of electricity it would normally produce on perfectly clear sunny day.
When you request a quote from SolarRun, we’ll provide a graph showing the estimated monthly output for your system which will be specific to your property. This is based on your location and the average number of peak sunshine hours each day (and by month) for your rooftop.
How well do solar panels work on cold days?
The thing a lot of people don’t realise about solar panels is that they work best on cold or mild sunny days. When the temperature goes above 25 degrees Celsius, the output of solar panels reduces by a small percentage for every degree increase in temperature.
So how do you tell how much a solar panel’s efficiency drops when the temperature goes above 25 degrees Celsius.
This gets a little bit technical – but stick with it because it’s useful to know!
On every solar panel datasheet, there will be a statistic called the temperature coefficient of Pmax, or just Pmax. This stat tells you how much a solar panel’s efficiency reduces for each degree increase in the temperature of the panel over 25 degrees Celcius.
The key thing is ‘temperature of the panel’ – not the ambient air temperature. Given that solar panels are generally hotter than the ambient air temperature, this is something to bear in mind.
Pmax is always a negative percentage – for example -0.34%. This tells us that the solar panel will reduce in efficiency by 0.34% for every degree increase above 25 degrees Celsius.
For example, if the solar panel has a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius and a Pmax of 0.34%, we can work out the loss in efficiency in two steps:
Subtracting the panel temperature (40 degrees) from 25 degrees = 15 degrees
Multiplying 15 degrees by the solar panels Pmax (i.e. -0.34%) = 5.1% efficiency loss
This tells us that the solar panel is working a 5.1% lower efficiency when the panel temperature reaches 40 degrees, compared to how it works at 25 degrees Celsius.
The main point with all this, is to show that solar panels work just fine when it’s cold – as long as there is sunlight reaching the panel. So a cold sunny day in winter is actually perfect for producing lots of solar energy for your home!
Which solar panels work best when it’s overcast?
The more advanced, high quality solar panels have design features that allow them to convert a greater percentage of the solar radiation into direct current electricity than standard panels.
Some solar cells, such as SunPower, incorporate a ‘backside mirror’. The way the mirror works is ingenious. The mirror is a thin layer of aluminium underneath the solar cell which reflects the light photons that weren’t absorbed on the first pass through the cell. When reflected, the photons get a second chance to be absorbed by the solar cell. The result is a higher percentage of photons converted to electrons from the same amount of sunlight.
Another technology that’s good for reducing the impact of cloud cover is power optimizers made by SolarEdge. Power optimizers come in handy when some, but not all the solar panels, are impacted by the shading caused by the clouds.
Power optimizers are little units that are fixed underneath each solar panel and make the panel work independently. For example, if six solar panels were affected by partial cloud cover and the remaining 14 panels weren’t impacted, you’d still get maximum power output from the 14 panels.
In comparison, with a conventional string inverter solar system the entire array of solar panels would reduce in output to the level of the weakest performing panel.
Can I still save on my electricity bills with solar over winter?
In short, the answer is yes. Solar saves you money on your electricity bills because it’s a lot cheaper than buying grid electricity.
Here in Australia, we have some of the highest electricity tariffs in the world.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that we’re lucky to be living in one of the world’s sunniest countries. No matter where you live in Australia, you’ll typically get at least eight hours of sunlight a day. By harnessing that sunlight with solar, you reduce your reliance on expensive grid power – which means lower electricity bills.
Sizing your solar panel system to meet your winter and summer electricity requirements is a specialist task. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It all depends on how much electricity you use at different times of the year.
That’s why at SolarRun, we take the time to visit your home, assess your energy usage profile and recommend the best solar system for your needs.
Get in touch
If you’d like a customised assessment of the suitability of your home for solar panels, get in touch.
We use specialist software to work out exactly how much sunlight hits your roof throughout the year. We then access your energy data from your local network distributor to see when your electricity usage is highest.
We put this information together to design a solar power system that is sized right to reduce your electricity bills as far as possible, whilst keeping within your budget.
Victorian homeowners can now access rebates and an interest-free loan worth up to $3,800 for solar panels and a hot water heat pump system through the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes Program.
Before this state government announcement, homeowners could only get a solar panels rebate or a solar hot water or heat pump rebate – not both. Now, it is possible to apply for both, and it doesn’t matter the order you get the systems installed.
Already got a solar panels rebate? No worries!
If you’ve already received a solar panels rebate via the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes Program, the good news is that you can now apply for a solar hot water rebate as well.
The Victorian Government says that already around 190,000 Victorian households have installed solar panels with the support of the solar panels rebate. Now, these households can also apply for a rebate to upgrade their hot water system to one that’s cheaper to run and environmentally friendly.
What’s the Victorian hot water rebate worth?
The Victorian hot water rebate – available through the Solar Homes Program – is a 50 per cent rebate worth up to $1,000 for eligible solar hot water and heat pump hot water systems.
The hot water rebate works as a point-of-sale discount reducing the purchase cost of an eligible hot water system.
Can I get the hot water rebate at the same time as the solar panels rebate?
The answer is yes, you can apply for both the solar hot water and solar panels rebate at the same time. In addition, you can also apply for an interest-free loan – also through the Solar Homes Program – to further reduce the upfront cost of your solar panel system. The value of the solar panels rebate is up to $1,400 and the interest-free loan is up the same amount as the panels rebate.
Is a heat pump system cheaper to run than solar hot water?
In short, heat pump hot water systems are cheaper to run than solar hot water. The Australian Energy Foundations says:
“Our research has shown that while both heat pumps and solar thermal systems will give your household hot water at a lower cost to you and the planet, heat pumps are the more convenient and budget-friendly choice for most Australian homes.”
A big advantage of heat pumps is they work in all weathers – hot or cold (down to around -5 degrees Celsius) – and at night.
The same can’t be said for solar hot water systems which require sunlight to operate. If it’s overcast or shady, a solar hot water system will need an electric or gas booster. And when the sun goes down, the electric or gas booster will need to run to generate more hot water for your home.
The great thing about hot water heat pumps is they are incredibly efficient. On average, heat pumps generate 3.5 to 4 times more energy – in the form of hot water – than the electricity they consume. That’s because they use ambient heat in the outside air and send that heat – by pumping it – into water in the storage tank.
And if the heat pump is set up to work with your solar power system, they can run off your free solar electricity rather than grid power – reducing your energy bills still further.
How much could I save with a hot water heat pump system?
Victorian households can save between $200 and $600 a year on their hot water costs by installing an energy efficient heat pump hot water system. These savings are based on running the heat pump using grid electricity. If you connect the heat pump system to a solar panels system, the savings will be even greater – potentially even $0 hot water.
Hot water systems estimated running costs
What are the eligibility criteria for the solar hot water rebate?
Victorian homeowners are eligible to receive a solar hot water rebate for an approved solar hot water or heat pump hot water system through the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes Program if:
You have a combined household taxable income of less than $180,000 per year
Your property is valued at under $3 million
You have not already received a solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program
You are the owner-occupier of the property
the hot water system to be replaced is at least three years old from the date of purchase
the property address has not already received a solar battery rebate under the Solar Homes Program
the heat pump or solar hot water system is on the Solar Homes program approved products list
How do I apply for the solar hot water rebate?
There are three steps to follow to apply for a solar hot water or heat pump rebate:
You first need to obtain a quote for a suitable solar hot water or heat pump system. You also need to check that the system is on the approved products list for this program.
Apply for eligibility
Contact Solar Victoria to request the documents that need to be completed. If you would like help with any aspect of the application process, contact SolarRun.
Get the system installed
You can arrange for your system to be installed once Solar Victoria has sent you confirmation that you are approved for the rebate. The rebate is paid directly to your provider who deducts the value of the rebate from your invoice.
Are there any other rebates for hot water heat pumps?
Yes, hot water heat pumps also qualify for a federal government rebate called Small-scale Technology Certificates or STCs. STCs are worth around $1000 off the purchase price of your heat pump in Victoria.
STCs for heat pumps are in addition to the Solar Homes hot water rebate, and they aren’t means-tested. So that means that by combining the STCs and Solar Homes hot water rebate, you can get up to $2,000 off the cost of your heat pump system.
What’s more, if you’re upgrading from an inefficient older electric hot water system, you may also be eligible for another type of rebate called VEECs, or Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates.
VEECs are worth around $1,500 and are in addition to STCs and the Solar Homes hot water rebate.
At SolarRun, we handle the STC and VEECs for you, so there are no forms to fill in.
As you can see from the table below, the total value of rebates for hot water heat pump systems for Victorian homeowners ranges from around $2,000 to $3,500.
Value of hot water rebates for Victorian homeowners
Inefficient older electric hot water system
Other hot water system that’s at least 3 years old
Solar Vic hot water rebate
$1,000
$1,000
STCs
$1,000
$1,000
VEECs
$1,500
$0
Total rebates
$3,500
$2,000
What’s the best hot water heat pump?
At SolarRun, we supply and install leading hot water heat pump systems for customers throughout Victoria and the rest of Australia. Our heat pump systems have amongst the highest efficiency ratings and provide outstanding electricity savings.
With a heat pump from SolarRun, you’ll have plenty of hot water, both day and night. Our all-in-one heat pumps come in sizes to meet the needs of both small and large households.
All heat pumps supplied and installed by SolarRun are on the approved products list for the Victorian Solar Homes Program, VEECs Program and for the STC federal government program.
And because we’re also a Clean Energy Council Accredited Solar Retailer and Installer, we can also design and install a solar panel system to power your heat pump and the rest of your home. Plus, we can set up the heat pump correctly to ensure that it’s powered by your solar during the daytime – and overnight if you also get a solar battery.
Get in touch
If you’d like advice and/or a quote for heat pump hot water system, get in touch. And if you’re keen to know more about how it works with solar panels – or would like to request a quote for solar panels or battery storage – we can help with that too.
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