Eligibility Criteria
Applying for the Rebate
Australian Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate Program
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
Rebates Approved By Financial Year

The South Australian Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme provides a rebate of $500 on the cost of a new solar or electric heat pump water heater system installed on or after 1st July 2008.

The Rebate Scheme is targeted at low income households to help them comply with the Performance Standards for Domestic Water Heater Installations, effective from the 1st July 2008.  These new standards aim to increase the uptake of high-efficiency gas, solar and electric heat pump water heaters.

Eligibility Criteria

The following table summarises hot water systems eligible for the rebate:

The water heater must be eligible for a minimum of 18 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in ORER zone 3, regardless of the zone in which it is installed.  A list of eligible systems is available in the Register of Solar Water Heaters available from the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator website.

Eligible applicants are home owners who install a complying water heater, as outlined above, to serve their principal place of residence; and at the time of installation, hold atleast one of the following Australian Government concession cards:

Commonwealth Seniors Health Card, State Seniors Card, Medicare card, DVA White and Orange cards are not eligible.

Pensioner allowance or retirement funds paid by foreign countries are not valid.

Applying for the Rebate

From 1st July 2008, eligible home owners will have six (6) months from the date of completed installation, as per the Electrical or Gas Certificate of Compliance, to lodge their rebate applications.

To apply for the Solar Hot Water Rebate, download and print the Rebate Application Form and post to:

Solar Hot Water Administrator
Energy Division
Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure
PO BOX 1
WALKERVILLE  SA  5081

Australian Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate Program

The Australian Government is providing a rebate to eligible home-owners, landlords and tenants who replace their existing electric hot water system with:

• a solar hot water system ($1600 rebate), or
• an electric heat pump hot water system ($1000 rebate).

Home-owners, landlords and tenants can access either the Australian Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate or the Home Insulation Rebate, but not both.

For more information on the rebate and the additional eligibility criteria, visit the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts' Energy Efficient Homes Package website or phone 1800 808 571.

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)

A solar of electric heat pump water heater may be eligible for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) upon installation.  RECs can be sold to help reduce the cost of the water heater.  The Australian Government administers RECs through the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator (ORER).

For more information talk to your installer, water heater supplier or contact ORER on (02) 6274 2192 or visit http://www.orer.gov.au.

Rebates Approved By Financial Year

The table below shows the number of rebate applications approved by financial year as well as the number approved for the current financial year to date.