What are Solar Hot Water Rebates?

Switch to an Apricus Solar Hot Water System and you may be eligible for a Government solar hot water rebate. Rebates are financial incentives created to encourage investment in renewable energy sources – such as an Apricus Solar Hot Water System.

Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs)

STCs are rebates available nationally that can offset the initial cost of your Apricus Solar Hot Water System. An STC is a measure of renewable energy that can be traded for cash, or a discount, on the purchase price of a hot water system. Each STC represents a megawatt hour (MWh) per year of electricity displaced by an eligible system. To ensure STCs are valid, they must be created within 12 months of the system being installed. Australia is divided into five STC rebate zones based on how much renewable energy can be generated by a solar hot water system in a given area. For more information on STCs go to the Clean Energy Regulator website CLICK HERE

What is the current STC Price?

The scheme is market-based, meaning that the STC price is variable and can change on a weekly or monthly basis.

It is advisable to check the value of the STC’s at the time of installation.

See STC calculator here

How long do I have to claim STC Rebate?

Homeowners can claim STCs after they have had their Apricus system installed provided this is completed within 12 months after the installation date.

ESS Rebates (NSW)

How Scheme works

NSW Energy Savings Scheme (ESS) provides financial incentives to install, improve or replace energy savings equipment and appliances in NSW households and businesses. Financial incentives are in the form of tradeable certificates, called energy savings certificates (ESCs). Generally, householders and businesses who fund energy savings activities transfer the right to create ESCs to Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs), in return for a discount on the cost of the energy savings activity. The notional megawatt hours attributed to energy savings activities determines the number of ESCs that can be created. Certificates are available in NSW only. For more information on ESCs, go to the ESS website CLICK HERE

List of eligible products

Solar and heat pump water heaters have become eligible under this scheme as of 21^st of April 2022. Listed Products accepted for HEER Method is available here, this may be updated from time to time CLICK HERE

List of Approved ACPs

Accredited Certificate Providers (ACPs) can create and trade ESCs on the certificate market.

List of approved Accredited Certificate Providers and certificates are available here CLICK HERE

We recommend working with Green Energy Trading: https://greenenergytrading.com.au/

How to apply for the rebate

To be eligible for this rebate, the homeowner MUST sign up with an approved ACP upfront PRIOR to system installation:

• To sign up with Green Energy Trading, please go to the website and sign up to the fully online certificate portal – GEO – available via this link: https://greenenergytrading.com.au/geosignup
• There are a few crucial requirements that must be met PRIOR to an installation taking place, and therefore, the system owners/installers/dealers must be signed up with an ACP (or accredited themselves) before they can commence installing any hot water products. Any installations completed without some of the pre-installation requirements being met, will mean those installations will not be eligible for ESCs.
• When the installation is signed up, the GEO platform will calculate ESCs for the eligible installation and offer current trading prices for those Certificates.

Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs)

In Victoria only, set by the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, VEECs are available as rebates, where a VEEC is awarded for installing a heat pump to replace less efficient electric water heater. Each VEEC represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent abated by the eligible system carrying out a specified energy saving activity. For more information on VEECs, go to the VEU website CLICK HERE

Solar Victoria provides a 50% rebate of up to $1,000 on eligible solar hot water systems.

This rebate is a great option for households where solar panels (PV) might not be suitable, or for households that already have solar panels (PV) installed.

Eligibility Criteria

Victorian household owners are eligible to receive a rebate under the Solar Homes Program for their Apricus system if:

• they are the owner-occupier of the property
• all owners have a combined household taxable income of less than $180,000 per annum (based on their Australian Tax Office Notice of Assessment for the last two years)
• it is an existing property, valued at under $3 million
• the hot water system to be replaced is at least three years old from the date of purchase
• they have not received a solar PV rebate or a battery rebate under the Solar Homes program
• the property is not a new build
• the property address has not received a rebate under the Solar Homes Program
• the solar (or heat pump) hot water system is on the Solar Homes program approved products list

Once you’re confident that your property meets the eligibility criteria, you can start the process by applying for an eligibility number. For more information go to the Solar Victoria website CLICK HERE

VEU Gas Subsidy

Apricus is proud to announce that our Apricus All In One heat pump system have been gazetted in line with the VEEC’s scheme. This means that eligible households across Victoria that have gas hot water systems can transition to an Apricus All In One heat pump and claim VEECs.

The VEECs program is designed to support Victoria to reduce its green house emissions whilst saving households money over the life of the system. For more information go to the VEU website CLICK HERE

QLD Gov Climate Smart Energy Savers Rebate

Climate Smart Energy Saver rebates are now available for eligible Queenslanders who replace old appliances with 4 star-rated (or higher) appliances and energy efficient hot water systems. This includes a standard rebate of $800 available to all eligible Queensland households or a low-income rebate of $1,000 for households with lower annual income, for heat pump hot water systems. For more information CLICK HERE

South Australia Rebate

The City of Adelaide provides financial incentives for installing sustainable technology in apartments, commercial buildings and houses to enhance energy and water efficiency. This includes up to $1,000 for solar hot water systems. For more information CLICK HERE

Process for Apricus Solar Hot Water Installations

There are three easy steps to apply for a Solar Homes Program rebate.

Home owners should not install a solar hot water system until your eligibility has been approved by Solar Victoria – with the exception of emergency installations. If you install your solar hot water system before your eligibility is approved, you will not receive a rebate.

Step 1 – Obtain a quote

Seek out a quote for your solar hot water installation. You should advise your retailer you intend to apply for the Solar Homes rebate.

Obtaining a quote is necessary to apply for an eligibility number, which your installer will use to confirm that they can go ahead with your installation.

Solar Victoria does not recommend signing a quote acceptance or paying a deposit prior to receiving your rebate eligibility confirmation. As a minimum you should confirm with your retailer that any deposit is fully refundable.

Step 2 – Apply for eligibility

Solar Victoria will provide you with an eligibility pack containing documents that will need to be completed. Once you have completed all the documents, you will need to return all the documents and attachments to Solar Victoria via the secure link provided.

Solar Victoria will then assess your application and inform you and your solar (or heat pump) hot water system provider on whether the application has been approved.

Step 3 – Get the system installed

Once you have received confirmation of approval by Solar Victoria, you will be able to arrange the installation of the system with your solar (or heat pump) hot water provider.

Please note that the program requires the installation of an approved product and depending on your situation you may be only able to obtain a rebate for a gas boosted solar hot water system.

The rebate will be paid directly to your provider and deducted from your invoice – ensuring you only pay any outstanding balance once the system is installed.

Please note: Solar Homes rebate for Solar Hot Water is calculated after any other discounts have been applied (including STC and VEEC) and is up to the value of $1000.

Hot Water Heat Pump

Apricus All In One Heat Pump System is eligible for STCs, VEECs, ESCs along with relevant State rebates.

Apricus All In One Heat Pump is proud to announce that our heat pump system has been gazetted in line with the VEEC’s scheme. This means that eligible households across Victoria that have gas hot water systems can transition to an Apricus All In One Heat Pump and claim VEECs.

Then VEECs program is designed to support Victoria to reduce its green house emissions whilst saving households money over the life of the system. For more information go to the VEU website CLICK HERE