Solar Rebate Perth - What You Need to Know

Posted by Adavnced Solar Technology on March 6th, 2023

If you’re thinking about installing solar panels in Western Australia, there are a lot of things to consider. One of them is the solar rebate Perth homeowners can receive from the Federal Government.

Incentives such as this encourage the adoption of clean, renewable energy technologies. They also reward people for exporting excess power to the grid, which helps reduce the strain on the local electricity network.

The Feed-in Tariff

The Feed-in Tariff is the payment that solar system owners receive for any electricity they produce and send back to the grid. The tariffs are a great way to save money on your energy bills, while also making your contribution to a more sustainable future.

The solar feed-in tariffs offered by electricity retailers vary according to location and are based on the net metering rules of each state and territory. The most common types of solar FIT are the gross and net feed-in tariffs.

In Western Australia, the solar feed-in tariff rates vary between 7.1c and 51c per kWh depending on your region. For example, in Perth and the south-west, Horizon REBS solar customers received 7.14 cents to more than 51c per kWh before the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) was introduced in 2020.

These 'premium' solar feed in rates were a big reason that some early adopters were drawn to solar, but as prices have fallen and electricity costs have risen, they haven’t been as important as they once were for solar PV to make financial sense. Fortunately, there are plenty of other incentives that can help you get started on your solar journey.

The Small Scale Technology Certificates

If you’re looking to go solar, one of the best financial incentives you can get are Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs). These are part of the government’s small-scale renewable energy scheme, which rewards eligible households for installing rooftop solar, heat pumps and water heaters.

You may also be eligible for a feed-in tariff, which gives you a credit on your electricity bill for the excess power your system produces. This can significantly reduce your overall electricity bill, as you’ll be able to sell the extra energy you produce back to the grid when you’re not using it.

When you install a residential solar system, the government issues you (or your solar installer) a number of STCs based on your location and size. These certificates are valued at a price that fluctuates depending on market conditions.

The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme

A new scheme launched in Western Australia on 31 August 2020 encourages households to make the most of their solar electricity generation by exporting it to the grid at times when demand is highest. The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) provides a time of export payment to eligible households, schools and notfor-profits that install a battery or a solar panel system.

DEBS offers a ten cents per kWh buyback rate during the peak demand period, between 3pm and 9pm, to help residents make the most of their solar electricity generation. This reflects the times when wholesale cost of electricity is higher, and also helps to encourage more Western Australian households to install west-facing panels that produce renewable energy later in the day, when the sun is low.

This is an upgrade to the previous Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (REBS), which didn’t include export payments from home batteries or electric vehicles, nor did it reward export in consideration of demand. It’s a step in the right direction for both Western Australia and the wider Australian renewable energy landscape.

The Government’s Brighter Energy Future

The Government’s Brighter Energy Future is a great initiative to encourage the deployment of solar and other renewable technologies. The most interesting feature is the fact that the Government is helping to drive down the solar panels Perth cost by making it easier for people to install the technology on their own. This will help customers who are a little on the cautious side to get started with their own solar system. Using the latest in smart technology, customers can start to reap the rewards today and make a saving on their electricity bill tomorrow. The best part is it’s free for a year! The only caveat is that you will need to register and provide proof of identity. The Government has also made it simple for customers to get an up-to-date estimate of their bills by completing a small online form. This will save you time, hassle and money! Lastly, don’t forget to use your smart meter to control your energy usage and make a saving at the same time.