Many Australians are planning to invest in a solar energy system, as this will make it possible to be more or less self-sufficient when it comes to electricity. By having solar panels on your roof, you can expect to cut your electricity costs notably and you can apply for government solar rebates in WA.
In addition to the economic benefits, you can reduce your contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy is considered a renewable power source, which is good for the environment.
However, installing solar panel systems can be expensive. The costs can make it difficult for Australian homeowners to enjoy the benefits of solar energy. Because of this, the Australian government offers you a range of solar rebates in WA.
Here you can learn more about solar rebates in WA.
Government solar rebates in WA
In Perth and the rest of Western Australia (WA), you might receive a federal rebate from the Australian government when installing an eligible solar panel system. This rebate will be given in the form of STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates).
The value of each STC will depend on market forces like supply and demand. In addition, the amount of STCs you will receive is based on the following two factors: location and system size.
Throughout Australia, we find four separate STC zones. WA covers a huge part of the country and is in all four zones (1 to 4). In STC zone 1, the rebate is bigger than in STC zone 2, 3 and 4. The solar rebate in WA is the smallest in STC zone 4.
The system size is also an important factor when it comes to the size of your rebate. If the system is big, it will also be able to produce more electricity. A 6.6kW system will therefore give you a bigger rebate than a 2kW system.
An example of the solar government rebate in WA
You can save a lot of money upon installation of a solar panel system, thanks to the federal rebate. Because many factors will affect the size of the rebate, it is difficult to give you an exact price example. What zone you live in is just one of the contributing factors.
However, if you install an average-sized solar system of 6.6kW, you can expect to receive a solar rebate of around $3,700. If the gross cost of the system is $10,300, this will mean that your net cost is around $6,600.
How to receive the government rebate?
Normally the rebate from the government is already included in the solar system quote you receive from the installer. The rebate will automatically be deducted from the gross cost. In other words, you do not need to do much yourself to get the rebate.
However, it is important to purchase the solar system from a serious and Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited firm. The inverter, battery and solar panels also have to be approved by the CEC, for the system to be eligible for the government rebate.
Are there any state rebates for solar energy systems in WA?
In Victoria and some other Australian states, there might be local state rebates to help improve the system’s payback period. However, you will not find this in WA. And the reason for this is quite simple: You do not need it.
The solar power system will pay for itself relatively fast in WA, thanks to the sunny weather.
Feed-in tariffs
If you invest in a grid-tied solar energy system, it means you can receive a feed-in tariff for every kWh of power that is transferred from your system and into the grid. The exact tariff can vary based on where in WA you live.
In the Perth area, for instance, you can expect a feed-in tariff of around 7.2 c per kWh. Unfortunately, there is a lack of competition between retailers in WA. Because of that, the buyback rates might not be very good.
Should I invest in a solar power system in WA?
Yes. In general, solar power is a great investment in most Australian states. Although there are no local state rebates in WA, you can still get a significant rebate from the federal government.
Of course, you will still have to pay a bit for the solar power system yourself. But usually, the costs will cover themselves after four to five years.
You will save a lot of money thanks to reduced electricity costs. In many cases, the solar system will be able to produce all the energy you need. And remember – the solar system will also be able to produce energy in a way that is good for the environment.
Invest in renewable solar energy today, and get your solar rebate in WA!