REBATES
RECs (Renewable Energy Certificates)
RECs are a tradeable instrument created by the Australian government to assist people who wish to do the right thing by the environment by installing renewable energy. The value of RECs fluctuates depending on market forces and the number of RECs earned depends on system size. They can be worth thousands of dollars depending on system size and REC market value and are normally offered as an up-front discount on the purchase of the equipment.
http://www.orer.gov.au/sgu/index.htm
Solar Bonus Scheme/FIT (Feed In Tariff)
Most Australian States have a Solar Bonus Scheme, or Gross Feed In Tariff which means that the local electricity retailer pays a premium for Renewable Energy fed in to the grid. Currently in NSW the Rebate is set at 0.26 – 0.28 cents for every KW fed into the Grid from Wind or Solar.
Government Rebates are constantly changing, so please contact Soma Power for an update on the status of the Scheme.
Soma Wind Generator
The Soma Wind Generators are eligible for rebates under the REC (Renewable Energy Credit) Scheme. Your Soma distributor will complete the paperwork for you. In short a Soma 1000 is eligible for 47 RECs (5xScheme) or 9 RECs (1xscheme). The Soma 400 is eligible for 19 RECs (5xScheme) or 3 RECs (1xSceme).
Home owners
Every homeowner is eligible for a REC (Renewable Energy Certificate) rebate for installing solar or wind power. This rebate is normally offered as an up-front discount on the purchase price of the system. The current Gross FIT is also available to all households, a generous Feed In Tarrif will also apply in NSW (see below). Off grid stand-alone systems are also eligible for the same REC rebate as on grid systems.
Businesses
Businesses can also take advantage of the REC rebate on renewable energy.. As for home-owners, businesses are also eligible for the NSW Feed In Tarriff.
Green Building Fund
The Australian Federal Government's Green Building Fund program provides grants through two streams of activity.
Stream A supports owners of existing commercial buildings to reduce their energy consumption. Grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 are available, for up to 50% of project costs, including eligible solar power projects. Round 5 is open until 12 January 2010 and Round 6 open until 27 April 2010.
Stream B: targets relevant industry associations. It will provide a limited number of grants to develop the knowledge, skills or capability of those involved in the operation of commercial office buildings, to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Grants of up to $200,000 are available, for up to 50% of project costs. Round 2 open until 12 January 2010.
The Green Building Fund supports renewable energy technology where the project results in significant reductions in energy consumed from external energy suppliers. For example, where the installation of solar panels on a commercial office building significantly reduces the electricity and/or gas purchased and used by the building for base building services.
Solar power for community buildings and churches
Community Buildings and Churches are also eligible for the REC rebates and Feed In Tariff described above
