Why It’s Important To Compare Solar Rebates in NSW

Installing solar panel systems can cost anywhere from $4,500 to $13,000 or more, depending on which system you choose and how it needs to be installed at your property. The good news is that the Federal Government has implemented solar power rebates in NSW to subsidise these costs.

NSW Government solar rebates subsidise the cost of installing solar panels or associated batteries. These incentives encourage Australian householders and businesses to choose solar panels and renewable energy, so the government can achieve its Renewable Energy Target (RET) of delivering an extra 33,000 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity from renewable sources every year from 2020 to 2030.

Rebates in NSW - What You Can Compare

There are several key elements to take into consideration when you compare solar rebates in NSW - here’s what we suggest prioritising:

Rebate Amounts

It seems obvious but rebate amounts can vary over time or be made in split payments and comparing exactly what you’ll receive, and how and when, can make a big difference to your final decisions.

Eligibility Requirements

This is how you’ll be able to very quickly determine which rebates you qualify for, saving time and avoiding wasting time and energy on ineligible applications.

Energy Savings

Comparing energy savings will help you determine which solar system is the best fit for your home or business, and once you know that you can make an informed decision about which solar rebate will be the most beneficial.

Solar Rebates in NSW - Why Compare?

There are a myriad of NSW solar rebates to research, each with different eligibility criteria and rebate amounts - so it’s really important to compare with care and choose an initiative that suits your circumstances. 

To Maximise Purchase and Installation Savings

Because every solar rebate, program or initiative introduced by the NSW Government offers varying levels of financial incentive. By comparing rebates, you can choose one that allows you to spend the least upfront with savings on purchase and installation costs.

Rebate Duration and Terms

Each NSW solar rebate has set terms and durations to determine how long an applicant will be committed to a program. Comparing these terms can help you avoid long-term obligations that might not suit your plans.

Environmental Impact

If you’re interested in installing a solar system, chances are you care deeply about the environment and sustainability. Comparing solar rebates is one of the best ways to take a powerful first step towards making a real impact with the choice of solar system it enables you to purchase and maintain.

Solar Rebates in NSW - Why Compare With Us

• Expert guidance

• Comprehensive comparisons 

• Up-to-date information

• Significant savings

• Tailored recommendations

Our people offer so much more than expertise - we call it ExpertEase and it could save you hundreds of dollars. Our specialty is getting you better value and lower energy bills, making your life easier by guiding you through the paperwork and process involved with comparing solar rebates for NSW. The Australian government says Aussie households can save up to $443 per year by shopping around and we play our part by comparing home and business energy plans from a panel of electricity and gas suppliers, so you don’t need to. Solar rebates in NSW are subject to changing terms, conditions and eligibility criteria. A quick Google search will show you that almost all online resources are sharing outdated and incorrect information about current NSW solar rebates. Compare solar rebates with Compare Club and pave the way to informed decisions and smoother application processes with the ExpertEase of a team that’s been cutting energy bills across Australia since 2010.

Solar Rebates in NSW - Available Rebates

NSW solar rebates range from battery rebate schemes to energy rebate schemes, and everything in between. At Compare Club our team of experts can help you work through the details easily and thoroughly so you have everything you need to make informed decisions about solar power rebates.

The Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)

The SRES is a state-wide initiative administered by Australia’s clean energy regulator. Households and small businesses installing small-scale renewable energy systems (solar, wind or hydro), or hot water systems, may be eligible to receive a financial incentive to put towards the cost. Similar to the Energy Saving Scheme, installing an eligible system allows the creation of STCs with a value that can be redeemed by selling or assigning them. For rooftop solar systems accredited solar retailers and installers can apply for the STCs and sell them on behalf of consumers so that a discount can be included in any quotes.

New Battery Incentives

The Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS)

From 1 November 2024 Households and business premises with rooftop solar will soon be able to take advantage of PDRS incentives to install residential battery storage and connect to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). These incentives are set to help homes and businesses cut electricity costs and maximise the solar energy they generate. Bigger picture, installing more batteries across NSW will help stabilise the grid and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels during periods of peak demand.

The SolarHub Smart Distributed Batteries Project

This NSW Government-backed initiative is funded under the Emerging Energy Program and supports consumers in achieving energy independence through a $4,950 discount on Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries as part of the first ever NSW Government-funded Virtual Power Plant. This discount can also be applied when eligible batteries are retrofitted to existing solar systems.

The Household Energy Upgrades Fund

Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) is working with lenders to provide discounted finance products to help households upgrade their homes with battery-ready solar PV, modern appliances and other improvements through the $1 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund. This Fund will help more than 110,000 households lower their energy bills by helping to fast-track the retrofit of greener, more sustainable solar systems. Finance obtained through participating lenders accessing the fund can be used for:

• renovations

• energy upgrades

• knock-down rebuild properties

• energy-efficient appliances

Energy upgrades need to be eligible under the terms of the Household Energy Upgrades Fund, including specifications of eligible upgrade technologies and installation by accredited installers.

NSW Government Energy Certificate Schemes

The Australian Government provides incentives called small-scale technology certificates (STCs) to encourage the use of renewable energy.

The Energy Savings Scheme

The Energy Savings Scheme is a certificate trading scheme that will run until 2050, financially incentivising households and businesses to improve the energy efficiency of their equipment and appliances. The scheme sets an energy savings target for electricity retailers and large users which they can meet with energy savings certificates (ESCs) representing 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of energy saved. ESCs are gained through eligible activities, including the purchase of more efficient appliances such as solar panels and associated solar batteries.

The NSW Solar Panel Rebate Program

The New South Wales Solar Panel Rebate Program was introduced in 2018 to reduce the cost of solar panels for residents and encourage the use of renewable energy. The program offered households a refund of up to $7000, or a loan for solar panels for the installation of solar panels system until June 30 2023. On July 1 2023 the NSW government introduced the Solar Homes Program to help households install solar panels by offering rebates and interest-free loans until June 30 2024. Alongside these initiatives the Rebate Swap For Solar Offer allowed eligible low-income households to exchange their existing energy rebates for a fully installed 3-kilowatt rooftop solar system, for a fixed term under the NSW Government’s COVID-19 economic stimulus package. These three programs are now closed.

Solar Feed-In Tariffs (FiTs)

Strictly speaking, they’re not rebates or concessions, but solar feed-in tariffs allow people to earn money for the unused solar electricity they generate that is exported to the grid. 

Nationally, IPART sets solar feed-in tariff benchmark ranges each year so consumers can compare the tariffs offered by electricity retailers. But in NSW electricity retailers can set their solar feed-in tariffs outside of IPART’s benchmark range, or they can choose not to have any solar feed-in tariff offered in an agreed plan.

Most NSW electricity retailers offer a flat-rate solar feed-in tariff that pays the same amount regardless of when the electricity is exported. A small number also offer tariffs that vary depending on the time the electricity is exported to the grid. 

Some plans with higher feed-in tariffs may have conditions attached, or be paired with higher retail prices, so it's important to compare energy plans as a whole when choosing the best plan for you.

Solar Rebates in NSW - Key Terms

Rebate Amount: The total financial incentive provided by the government or accredited provider to offset the cost of solar installation. Eligibility Requirements: The specific criteria that applicants must meet to qualify for a solar rebate. Covered Costs: The expenses included under a rebate program, such as installation, equipment, and maintenance. Solar Rebate Duration and Terms: The length of time a rebate is available and the conditions that must be met to maintain eligibility. Environmental Impact: The potential reduction in carbon emissions and other environmental benefits associated with using solar energy.

Solar Rebates in NSW - Additional Resources

• Energy NSW Rebates & Schemes

• Energy Made Easy

• Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator

• Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

• Energy Sustainability Schemes NSW

• The SRES

• Eligible SRES Systems

• The SolarHub Smart Distributed Batteries Project

• 2024 NSW Battery Incentives Explained

• IPART

• The PDRS

• Solar Feed-In Tariffs

• The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC)

Frequently asked questions

Why are some solar rebates not available until November? 

These incentives will be available from 1 November 2024 to give the Scheme Administrator (IPART) time to establish its compliance processes, accredit the approved suppliers and engage and train staff for conducting audits. 

What is the $7000 NSW solar rebate?

The $7000 solar rebate was introduced by Environment Australia and the NSW Government in 2018 to reduce the cost of solar panels for houses and encourage the installation of solar panels. It offered households up to $7000 refunds or a loan for solar panels installed by a professional. This rebate is now closed, it was replaced by the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).

How do you apply for the NSW solar rebate?

You don’t need to apply for the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) but you do need to have an eligible renewable energy system installed by an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP).

What is an approved supplier?

Approved suppliers are known as Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs) and have been accredited by a Scheme Administrator (IPART) to conduct specific installations and upgrades under the rebate or scheme.

Do solar rebates in NSW get paid to the customer or approved supplier? 

Solar rebates are not always a direct rebate to customers. They’re usually provided as an upfront discount by an approved supplier or installer.

What is a Small-scale Renewable Energy System?

There are 5 types of small-scale renewable energy systems eligible under the scheme:

• solar photovoltaic (PV)

• wind turbines

• hydro systems

• solar water heaters

• air source heat pumps.

Classification is based on the system's capacity and how much energy it displaces.

Is there a government rebate for solar batteries?

The SolarHub Smart Distributed Batteries Project is a NSW Government-backed initiative that supports eligible consumers with a $4,950 discount on Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries - as long as they participate in the NSW Government’s Virtual Power Plant.

What is a Virtual Power Plant? 

Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) are systems of interconnected batteries managed by a VPP operator. When needed, the VPP coordinates the release of energy stored in solar batteries to the grid to address frequency and voltage imbalances, local disruptions or disturbances and keep the network stable.

What does participation in a VPP mean for customers? 

Participation in a VPP means that customers will agree to have their battery managed by a VPP operator with defined conditions in the agreement to suit the individual. Benefits for customers include financial incentives for joining which can lower the payback time of a solar and battery system. 

Does the cost of installing a solar system include a battery?

Installers usually provide separate quotes for the cost of a battery and the installation but it is possible to receive one all-inclusive quote.

Why is eligibility limited to batteries between 2 and 28kWh in capacity? 

This is to be consistent with schemes in other Australian states and because most eligible sites will only need batteries under 28kWh as the national average energy use for a five-person household is 25kWh per day. 

When does the Energy Savings Scheme finish?

The Energy Savings Scheme is legislated to run until 2050 or until there is an equivalent national energy efficiency scheme.

Who is IPART?

IPART is the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW. It is the Scheme Administrator and Scheme Regulator for the Energy Savings Scheme with responsibilities that include:

• Assessing applications and accrediting applicants to become Accredited Certificate Providers

• Managing compliance of existing Accredited Certificate Providers and Scheme Participants

• Amending accreditation conditions

• Managing the website and the Energy Security Safeguard Application (TESSA).

Who are Scheme Participants?

Scheme Participants can be electricity retailers, direct suppliers of electricity, and customers.

Paul Coughran is the General Manager of Emerging Verticals at Compare Club. Paul has over 20 years of experience across a wide range of industries including Banking and Finance, Telecommunications and Energy. Paul leads a team of trusted experts dedicated to helping individuals make informed decisions about their insurance and utilities needs.

Meet our energy expert, Paul Coughran

Paul's top energy tips

• 1

  Australia’s top three energy companies still hold 64% of the total Australian market, even though competition was deregulated in 2017.

• 2

  If you don't shop around for energy providers, you’re probably leaving your savings on the table by failing to compare better value options.

• 3

  Most energy providers offer discounted rates for new customers, which is a strong incentive to switch.

• 4

  There should be no interruption when you switch energy providers. You'll need to pay a new company for your energy, but there won't be a disruption to your power supply.