Rebates

CURRENT STC VALUE IS: $25.00

Depending on where you live in Australia and various other criteria, you may be eligible for a number of different government incentives and rebates that can greatly reduce the installation costs of a solar hot water system.

Not only does this make it an even more affordable option, it also means your solarised hot water system can pay for itself even quicker.

STCs - Small-scale Technology Certificates

As part of its environmental commitments, the Federal Government is offering incentives to individuals who produce energy from renewable sources or displace energy usage from non-renewable sources. Solar hot water systems and Heat Pumps are included in this program.

It works like this. The Clean Energy Regulator (CER) rates the energy saving of solar hot water systems and heat pumps by assigning Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). Every STC is the equivalent of 1000 kilowatts of energy saved – so the higher the STCs value, the more energy your system saves, and the less money you’ll spend.

The EcoSmart range has one of the highest STC values on the market. And that means when you buy an EcoSmart Solar Hot water system, you’ll not only save money in the long run, you’ll make a big saving up front as each STC is also credited to you as a point of sale discount, the more STCs the bigger the discount.

Factors such as your location plus the model, tank volume and generating capacity of your solar hot water or heat pump service will determine the full STC value.

For more information click on http://ret.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/

Click here to download a PDF of EcoSmart’s STC application form.

PLEASE NOTE: From 1st November 2012, STC entitlements for air source heat pump water heaters (heat pumps) will be based on five postcode zones rather than four. Please see "Heat Pump STC Zones" further down this page for more information.

Solar Hot Water STC Zones

For the purpose of STC assessment, Australia has been divided in to 4 solar zones as shown in the map below.

stczonemap shw

Locate your postcode below to find out the Solar Hot Water STC zone you fall into.

Postcode RANGE - Solar Hot Water systems
From To Zone From To Zone From To Zone
200 299 3 3750 3898 4 5231 5261 3
800 862 1 3900 3900 3 5262 5263 4
870 872 2 3902 3996 4 5264 5270 3
880 909 1 4000 4419 3 5271 5291 4
1001 2914 3 4420 4420 1 5301 6256 3
3000 3381 4 4421 4428 3 6258 6262 4
3384 3384 3 4454 4454 1 6271 6318 3
3385 3387 4 4455 4468 3 6320 6338 4
3388 3396 3 4470 4475 2 6341 6141 3
3399 3413 4 4477 4477 1 6343 6348 4
3414 3424 3 4478 4482 2 6350 6353 3
3427 3451 4 4486 4488 3 6355 6356 3
3453 3453 3 4489 4493 2 6357 6395 3
3458 3462 3 4494 4615 3 6396 6398 4
3463 3465 4 4620 4724 1 6401 6439 3
3467 3469 4 4725 4725 2 6440 6440 2
3472 3520 3 4726 4726 1 6441 6444 3
3521 3522 4 4727 4731 2 6445 6450 4
3523 3649 3 4732 4733 1 6460 6640 3
3658 3658 4 4735 4736 2 6642 6725 2
3659 3660 3 4737 4824 1 6726 6743 1
3661 3709 3 4825 4829 2 6751 6799 2
3662 3709 3 4830 4891 1 6800 6997 3
3711 3714 4 5000 5214 3 7000 8873 4
3725 3749 3 5520 5223 4 9000 9729 3

The table below shows the actual STCs awarded to EcoSmart Solar Hot Water systems.

Size Solar Hot Water
Model Number
Collectors STC Zones
1 2 3 4
Electric Boosted Split Systems
Invincible™ Electric Boosted Split Systems
250 Litres E2S136T2DC 2 38 42 37 32
315 Litres E3S136T2DC 2 39 42 37 32
315 Litres E3S136T3DC 3 44 45 45 40
400 Litres E4S136T2DC 2 39 42 37 32
400 Litres E4S136T3DC 3 44 45 45 40
Gas Boosted Split Systems
Intelligent Hybrid™ Gas Boosted Split Systems
315 Litres EN15DT2DC 2 38 42 35 30
315 Litres EN15DT3DC 3 44 45 44 38
Roof Mounted Gas Systems
180 Litres E1FN26W1CC 1 25 28 24 22
330 Litres E3FN26W2CC 2 39 43 39 35
Roof Mounted Electric Systems
180 Litres E1F124W1CR 1 19 20 19 17
330 Litres E3F124W2CR 2 40 43 39 34

Heat Pump STC Zones

From 1st November 2012, the Clean Energy Regulator has changed the Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) entitlements for air source heat pump water heaters (heat pumps). These will now be based on five postcode zones rather than four.

The fifth postcode zone has been established to better reflect the performance of heat pumps in cool climate and frost prone areas, for example Canberra and Hobart; it also includes high altitude areas such as Armidale.

The postcode zones for solar water heaters have not changed, and are listed above.  

Heat pumps are only eligible for the old 4 zone STCs if installed and capable of producing hot water up to and including 31 October 2012. Any heat pump systems install on or after 1 November 2012 will be assessed based on the new 5 zone STCs.

For the purpose of STC assessment, Australia has been divided in to 5 heat Pump zones as shown in the map below.

stczonemap hp

Locate your postcode below to find out the Heat Pump STC zone you fall into.

Postcode RANGE - Heat Pump
From To Zone From To Zone From To Zone From To Zone
0200 0299 5 3141 3156 4 3661 3661 4 4732 4733 1
0800 0862 1 3158 3158 5 3662 3673 3 4735 4736 2
0870 0872 2 3159 3159 4 3675 3678 5 4737 4824 1
0880 0909 1 3160 3160 5 3682 3695 3 4825 4829 2
1001 2348 3 3161 3287 4 3697 3724 5 4830 4895 1
2350 2351 5 3289 3289 5 3725 3730 3 5000 5214 3
2352 2361 3 3292 3292 4 3732 3746 5 5220 5223 4
2365 2369 5 3293 3302 5 3747 3749 3 5231 5261 3
2370 2578 3 3303 3312 4 3750 3767 4 5262 5363 4
2579 2581 5 3314 3315 5 3770 3779 5 5264 5270 3
2582 2582 3 3317 3345 4 3800 3815 4 5271 5291 4
2583 2583 5 3350 3357 5 3816 3835 5 5301 6256 3
2584 2594 3 3360 3361 4 3840 3857 4 6258 6262 4
2600 2617 5 3363 3370 5 3858 3858 5 6271 6318 3
2618 2618 3 3371 3371 4 3859 3860 4 6320 6338 4
2619 2633 5 3373 3373 5 3862 3862 5 6341 6341 3
2640 2648 3 3374 3374 4 3864 3882 4 6343 6348 4
2649 2649 5 3375 3379 5 3885 3885 5 6350 6353 3
2650 2652 3 3380 3380 4 3886 3892 4 6355 6356 4
2653 2653 5 3381 3381 5 3893 3900 5 6357 6395 3
2655 2717 3 3384 3384 3 3902 3996 4 6396 6398 4
2720 2720 5 3385 3387 4 4000 4419 3 6401 6439 3
2721 2727 3 3388 3396 3 4420 4420 1 6440 6440 2
2729 2730 5 3400 3402 4 4421 4428 3 6441 6444 3
2731 2785 3 3407 3407 5 4454 4454 1 6445 6452 4
2786 2792 5 3409 3413 4 4455 4468 3 6460 6640 3
2793 2794 3 3414 3424 3 4470 4475 2 6642 6725 2
2795 2800 5 3427 3429 4 4477 4477 1 6726 6743 1
2803 2844 3 3430 3463 5 4478 4482 2 6751 6799 2
2845 2847 5 3464 3465 3 4486 4488 3 6800 6899 3
2848 2848 3 3467 3469 5 4489 4493 2 6900 6997 3
2849 2849 5 3472 3520 3 4494 4615 3 7000 7499 5
2850 2899 3 3521 3522 4 4620 4724 1 7500 7923 5
2900 2914 5 3523 3649 3 4725 4725 2 8001 8873 4
3000 3138 4 3658 3658 4 4726 4726 1 9000 9499 3
3139 3140 5 3659 3660 3 4727 4731 2 9500 9729 3

The table below shows the actual STCs awarded to EcoSmart Products.

Size Heat Pump
Model Number
STC Zones
1 2 3 4 5
Solar Heat Pump
250 Litres E2FHG2000C 22 21 26 27 27
250 Litres E2FHG4HW0C 22 21 26 27 27

Federal Government Rebates

As of the 28th of February 2012, the Federal Government Rebate of $1000 for solar hot water systems and $600 for heat pumps has ended. Customers can still claim the rebate provided systems are installed, ordered (and a deposit paid) or purchased on or before 28 February 2012. Applications lodged up to 30 June 2012 will continue to be processed. Applications received after 30 June 2012 will not be eligible.

For full details of the closure of the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme, click here.

The Federal Rebate Application form can be found by clicking here

State Government Rebates

Selected state governments within Australia also offer rebates to households installing solar hot water systems.

South Australia

The Government of South Australia’s Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme currently provides a rebate of up to $500 to offset the upfront costs of installing or retrofitting a compliant solar hot water system when purchased and installed within the state.

To be eligible for the rebate you must be an eligible applicant (as defined below) and commission an eligible installation (as defined below).

Eligible Applicants

To be eligible for a rebate, you must be a low-income owner-occupier. Specifically, you must be the owner or part owner of the dwelling you occupy as your principal place of residence, and hold at least one of the following cards on the day the water heater installation is completed:

  • Centrelink Health Care Card
  • Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card - Totally and Permanently Incapacitated
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card - War Widow
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs - Extreme Disablement Adjustment

Your principal place of residence is the primary dwelling you occupy to live, sleep and conduct daily life.

Note that some dwelling types are excluded. Rebates are limited to one per residence.

Eligible Installations

Eligible applicants who purchase a new solar hot water system or retrofit kit for domestic purposes and install it at their principal place of residence (on or after May 28 2001) are eligible for a rebate if their system fits into any of the following categories:

  • A solar hot water system that replaces the use of an electric hot water system
  • A gas boosted solar hot water system that replaces a gas hot water system
  • A solar hot water system that is installed on a new home that does not have access to reticulated gas
  • A gas boosted solar hot water system that is installed on a new home that does have access to reticulated gas
  • A solar boosted heat pump system that replaces the use of an electric hot water system
  • Where a solar retro-fit kit or pre-heating system is attached to an existing water heater, if the existing hot water system is covered by warranty for at least another three years

Western Australia

The Government of Western Australia’s Solar Water Heater Subsidy Scheme provides rebates of up $700 for the installation of environmentally friendly gas-boosted solar water heaters.

To be eligible for a rebate under this scheme, the following key eligibility criteria must be met.

  • Rebates are available for new, two or more panel, gas-boosted solar water heaters that are accredited to Australian Standard AS2712
  • Solar water heaters must be used for private residential purposes (excepting display homes and residential developments where special conditions apply)
  • Solar water heaters must be purchased from suppliers recognised by the Sustainable Energy Development Office
  • Rebates for installations in new homes must be pre-approved through a formal pre-approval process.
  • Solar water heaters must be purchased and installed within the 12 months prior to a rebate application being received by the Sustainable Energy Development Office

Full details can be found at the Sustainable Energy Development Office’s Solar Water Heater Subsidy page.

New South Wales

As of 30th of June 2011, the NSW Government offer has ended and is now only available to installations completed and paid for prior to the 30th of June 2011.

Victoria

The Government of Victoria’s Solar Hot Water Rebate program provides rebates from $450 up to $1500 for the installation of eligible solar hot water systems. These rebates are commonly called Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates or VEECs.

The amount of rebate is based on the size of a system (amount of water produced) and performance (its solar contribution). Better performing systems, or ones that make the most effective use of the sun’s energy, attract a higher rebate.

Generally speaking, the Solar Hot Water Rebate program provides rebates for installations in Victoria that:

  • Replace a natural gas or LPG water heater with a gas-boosted solar system;
  • Replace a wood or oil fired hot water system with a solar gas system; and
  • Replace an electric hot water system where the Federal $1600 rebate has been approved for installation of insulation in your home

EcoSmart's current VEEC market value is $11.00. Please contact your local Victorian dealer for how much you are entitled to.

Full details can be found at Sustainability Victoria’s Solar Hot Water Rebate page and Application forms for State Rebates.

Click here to download a PDF of the EcoSmart VEEC form.

Queensland

The Queensland Government announced on 22 June 2012 that the Solar Hot Water Rebate (the Rebate) has now closed, with all applications to be received by close of business on Friday 28 September 2012.

Rebate applications must follow the correct criteria to be assessed as eligible:

  • The system must have been purchased or ordered (and a deposit paid) by close of business on 22 June 2012. The supporting documentation must clearly show this.
  • The system must be installed by 27 July 2012.
  • Rebate applications must be:
    (1) fully complete, including all supporting documentation
    (2) lodged on the current form (V3-18.02.11)
    (3) received by the department and postmarked no later than 28 September 2012.

It is important to note that:

  • Systems purchased or ordered after 22 June 2012 are not eligible for the Rebate.
  • Systems installed after 27 July 2012 are not eligible for the Rebate.
  • Incomplete applications are not eligible for the Rebate.
  • Applications received on superseded forms are not eligible for the Rebate.
  • Applications received by the department and post marked after 28 September 2012 are not eligible for the Rebate.

Key Eligibility Criteria - $600 rebate

  • The new system must have been purchased on or after 13th April 2010 (please note that payments will not commence until 1st July 2010)
  • Be a solar or heat pump hot water system eligible for at least 20 Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
  • Replace an existing electric storage hot water system in a principle place of residence
  • Be installed by licensed parties (current BSA and occupational licenses)

Key Eligibility Criteria - Low Income earner $1000 rebate

To qualify for the $1000, the applicant must meet all of the $600 rebate eligibility conditions, as well as hold one of the pension cards listed below (must be a current and valid card);

  • Centrelink Pension Concession card
  • Centrelink Low-Income Heath Care card
  • Commonwealth Seniors Health card or Department of Veterans' Affairs Pension Concession card (Blue only. Orange, white and gold cardholders are not eligible.)

This low income earner/pensioner rebate can only be applied for once. Please also note that the $600 rebate and $1000 rebate cannot both be claimed for the same installation.

For further information, applicants may contact 13 43 87 or visit QLD Government's Clean Energy Website.

Northern Territory, ACT and Tasmania

No additional rebates are currently available in these states.