NSW rebates

Renewable electricity rebates

Scheme Type NSW Solar Bonus Scheme stage II
Eligible Renewable Technology/Item Solar photovoltaic and wind power up to 10kW
Applicable Sector Households, community organisations and small businesses with energy consumption less than 160 MWh a year
Rebate Amount There’s no 40c/kWh rate for new or existing entrants. Scheme closed to new entrants and those existing customers on either 20c or 60c/kWh will stay on that amount for the duration of the scheme (7 years).
Additional Information The Solar Bonus Scheme has closed to new applicants effective midnight 28 April 2011.
All applications received by the network businesses before 29 April 2011 will be assessed and if eligible will receive Solar Bonus Scheme tariff payments.
Contact Information For further information please see the NSW Industry and Investment Site: www.industry.nsw.gov.au

Click here to see federal renewable electricity rebates.

Hot water rebates

Rebate Type NSW Hot Water System Rebate
Eligible Renewable Technology/Item New gas, solar or heat pump hot water systems which replace an electric system.
Applicable Sector Residential only
Rebate Amount $300 cash back is available for new gas, solar or heat pump hot water systems which replace an electric system.
Additional Information The new hot water systems must be:

  • Replace an existing electric hot water system
  • For residential properties in NSW only
  • Purchased in full and installed between January 15, 2010 and June 30, 2011
  • Be installed by a licensed plumber

Note: Those installing a gas instantaneous hot water system with a 5 star rating or more are also eligible to apply for the $150 rebate for the installation of a regulated or on demand hot water circulator.

Hot water systems installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index), for new homes and major renovations are not eligible for a rebate.

There is a limit of one hot water system rebate per property.

From 15 January 2010, the total amount of NSW Home Saver Rebates a household can receive must not exceed $1500 per property.

Contact Information For further information please see the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfhws.htm

Federal solar hot water rebate and RECs

Federal solar hot water rebates and RECs are also available.Click here for more information.

Water rebates

Rebate type NSW rainwater tank rebate
Eligible Renewable technology/item Rainwater tanks
Applicable sector Residential properties
Rebate amount 2000 to 3999 litres $150 rebate for the tank, additionally $500 if connected to your toilet/washing machine by plumber (max rebate $1150).
4000 to 6999 litres $400 rebate for the tank, additionally $500 if connected to your toilet/washing machine by plumber (max rebate $1400).
7000 litres plus $500 rebate for the tank, additionally $500 if connected to your toilet/washing machine by plumber (max rebate $1500).
Additional information Sydney Water customers apply through Sydney Water.Customers of all other NSW water utilities, apply through the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW.Eligibility:

  • The tank(s) must have a minimum 2000-litre capacity and be purchased in full and installed between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2011.
  • Households not connected to the mains supply are eligible for a rebate for the purchase of the tank only.
  • Rainwater tanks installed to comply with BASIX (the Building Sustainability Index) for new homes, major renovations or a pool installation are not eligible for a rebate.

There is a special rebate scheme operating with Sydney Water for rebates for schools installing their own rain water tanks. Rebates of up to $2,500 are available for eligible schools.

Contact information For more information www.sydneywater.com.au/Water4Life/InYourHome/
For more information www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfrtw.htm
Rebate type NSW dual flush toilet rebate
Eligible Renewable technology/item Toilets
Applicable sector Residential properties
Rebate amount A $200 rebate is available for replacing a single flush toilet suite with a new dual flush toilet suite with a minimum 4 star WELS rating.
Additional information To be eligible for the rebate you must:

  • purchase a new dual flush toilet suite with a minimum 4 star WELS* rating (for both cistern and the pan) between 15 January 2010 and 30 June 2011 inclusive
  • replace a single flush toilet suite
  • ensure the new dual flush toilet suite is installed by a NSW licensed plumber in a residential property in NSW.

There is a limit of one dual flush toilet rebate per property.

Contact information For more information http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Water4Life/
For more information go to http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/rebates/ccfdft.htm

Federal water rebates

Federal rainwater tank and greywater system rebates are also available. Click here for more information.

Fridge buyback scheme

Fridge Buyback is an energy savings program that actually pays you to help the environment and reduce your power bills by giving up your old second fridge.

Old fridges are one of the biggest energy users in the home, consuming up to three times the energy of new fridges. Running your second fridge adds an average of $225 a year to your power bills and results in greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere.

Fridge Buyback provides regular collection runs to selected areas of Metropolitan Sydney, The Illawarra, The Shoalhaven, The Central Coast and The Blue Mountains. Fridge Buyback is also undertaking a rural ‘fridge drop-off’ trial in Wingecarribee Shire Council.

To participate in the program, your fridge must be a working second fridge that has been in regular use, is 250 litres or more in size (8.83 cubic feet) and at least 10 years old.

Fridge Buyback provides residents with free collections by professional removalists and a $35 rebate if the removal of the fridge involves 6 steps (stairs) or less. The fridge is collected for free if there are between 7 and 20 steps but no rebate is available. A fee will apply only if the property has more than 20 steps. The fridges collected are professionally degassed and the metals recycled.

See www.fridgebuyback.com.au for more information.