Solar rebates in WA: All you need to know in 2022

Last year I gave you the rundown on solar rebates in 2021, and now I’m updating you for 2022. New year, new rebates! So if you’re thinking of investing in solar power and want to know about Government incentives, read on! 

Energy efficiency is the main reason people want to invest in solar. Solar energy reduces your reliance on electricity, saving you money on your power bill and, of course, reduces greenhouse gas emissions in the process. Win-win!

Another incentive of solar power is the government solar rebates. These can save you thousands of dollars, so it’s no surprise Australia reached up to 3 million in solar system installations last year. 

But the state of play for solar rebates in WA is ever-changing and can be a bit of a minefield. At the moment, government rebates depend on your location (changes state to state) and the capacity of your system. 

There are currently two government solar rebates you can receive in WA:

  • Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme 
  • Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) 

Government solar rebate: Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme 

The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme is an Australian Government financial incentive for homeowners and small businesses to install renewable energy systems. Since 2017, the government has been reducing the rebate, and by 2031 there will be no rebate at all, so it’s a good idea to get onto solar energy now. 

How does the solar rebate work? Eligible solar systems earn you rebate certificates (STCs) reducing what you pay for your solar product. You get one STC certificate for every Megawatt your system is predicted to produce over the next 9 years for Perth solar panels and solar hot water systems)

Each STC gives you around $34-$40 off your bill but it fluctuates depending on demand. So for a 5kW system (typical for the average household), you could receive $2,500 in rebates. Not bad, huh?

Solar systems eligible for rebate:

  • Solar panels (PV)
  • Solar hot water heaters
  • Air source heat pumps

It’s important to note that your solar system must be approved by the Australian Clean Energy Council (CEC) and installed by a CEC accredited installer like Koala Solar to receive the rebate. So checking your installer’s accreditation should be your first point of call. Otherwise, you risk missing out on the Government solar rebate

Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS)

Are there any other savings you can receive with solar? Yep! In August 2020, the Western Australian State Government announced the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS), a Feed-in Tariff (FiT). DEBS replaces the previous energy buyback scheme (REBS). DEBS is to recognise “the way rooftop solar PV, batteries and electric vehicles are transforming Western Australia’s electricity system” (WA government). 

You must be a residential customer, educational institution, or a not-for-profit organisation to be eligible for DEBS. Your generating capacity must also be between 500W and 6.6kW (6.6kW is the average installed in Australia). A 6.6kW solar PV system with 5kVa inverter is accepted as having a generating capacity of 5kW.

DEBS allows you to earn credit off your electricity bill for any power your solar system exports back to the grid. DEBS is a “time of export” payment. The WA feed-in tariff is 10c per kWh between 3-9pm and up to 3c all other times. Depending on your solar panels, you can get savings of up to $3000 annually. 

To take advantage of this, you must apply for the scheme through your energy provider e.g. Western Power, after installing a new system. My team is happy to discuss if the DEBS scheme will apply to your solar system installation in Perth and the estimated solar rebate.

How does Koala Solar assist with your solar rebates?

A solar system will pay for itself in 3-4 years and will continue to deliver you savings over your lifetime, so regardless of what happens with rebates solar is definitely worth the investment! 

Want to get a clearer picture of the government solar rebate? Koala Solar can visit your home or business to recommend the solar power system for your property, give you an idea of what you can save through rebates and guide you through the process of accessing them. 

Ready to invest in solar and start saving? Get a quote today

2022-02-14T15:40:57+00:00

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