Your guide to solar rebates in Queensland

Thinking about going solar to save on energy bills? In Queensland, where solar power adoption is thriving, installing solar panels brings a lot of benefits. To help Queenslanders better understand the transition to solar energy, we shed light on the solar rebate scheme.

Utilising solar power in Queensland

Are you considering solar to save money on your home energy bills and utilise more sustainable energy sources?

Earning its title as the Sunshine State, Queensland has the highest rate of household rooftop solar installations in Australia, with one in three homes using solar*.

In Australia, the Federal Government offers solar incentives to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and encourage the additional generation of electricity from sustainable and renewable sources.

The clean energy generated from small-scale rooftop solar plays a key role in helping Australia reach its Renewable Energy Target.

However, according to RACQ research, almost half of Queenslanders surveyed said the key concern when considering solar was the cost (49 percent) and the process was too confusing (11%)^.

What is the solar rebate?

The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), known as the solar rebate, operates within the Australian Government Renewable Energy Target and applies to small technology installations like rooftop solar.
Under the scheme, Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) are created for every projected megawatt hour of power generated by a small-scale solar system (under 100kW).

Generally, householders who purchase these systems assign the right to create their STCs to an agent, typically a registered solar retailer, in return for a reduction in the upfront cost of the solar system.

How are the STCs calculated?

STCs are given based on the size of the system installed and how much energy it’s estimated to produce up to the year 2030.

Essentially, the more renewable energy a system is expected to generate in that time, the more STCs it will receive.

Location is another factor, with the scheme being broken into four zones across Australia depending on the level of solar energy.

REC Registry’s calculator- Small generation unit STC calculator

How much could you save with solar?

When you arrange a solar system quote, you can request the value of your STC discount.

For example, currently for a 6.6kW solar system on a single-storey, tin roof in Greater Brisbane, your STC point of sale discount could be about $2,457.

However, the scheme reduces in value at the start of each calendar year and will end in 2030.

The sooner you install solar, the greater the benefits. Here's why:

• Maximise your savings: The STC value decreases each year and ends in 2030. Installing sooner secures a higher discount.
• Beat the rush: Installers get busy towards year-end. By acting early, you avoid potential delays and installer scheduling conflicts.
• Potentially more stable pricing: Early installation might lock you into a more stable STC price before demand fluctuations occur.

*Queensland Government Department of Energy and Public Works, 5 May 2023.

^RACQ Quarterly Consumer Omnibus - FY23 Q3. Total n=499.