Solar For NSW Low Income Households Program
The NSW Government is providing a new way to help low income households reduce electricity bills by installing 3 kilowatt solar systems on their homes.
The program aims to improve energy affordability by helping households unlock long term savings on their electricity bills. This program is only available to a limited number of households that live in the selected region and meet the eligibility criteria. When participating in this program households will receive a free, fully installed 3 kilowatt solar system in place of the current Low Income Household Rebate.
SAE Group are the approved designer and installer of solar for this offer for the Northern NSW region and Greater Sydney. Solar systems will provide households with ongoing benefits, allowing participants to harness renewable energy in a bid to cut electricity bills. This NSW Government initiative is run by the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and is available for up to 3,000 eligible homeowners. By participating in the trial, you could save up to $300 a year on your electricity bill.
To be eligible you must:
- Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate
- Not already have a solar system installed
- Own your own roof and house
- Hold a Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card
- Live in the North Coast of NSW or Greater Sydney
If you rent or live in a retirement village or strata building unfortunately you are not eligible for this offer.
Is your house right for solar?
As part of the application process, as your approved solar installer, we will check if your house is suitable for solar. This includes making sure solar can be safely installed on your roof and that the system will produce enough energy to reduce your electricity bills.
Consider the following questions to decide if your house is right for solar:
What is the condition of your roof?
If your roof is damaged or will need replacing in the next few years, you must consider there can be additional costs or damages when a solar system is taken down and re-installed as part of a roof restoration or replacement.
What is the condition of your roof?
If your roof is damaged or will need replacing in the next few years, you must consider there can be additional costs or damages when a solar system is taken down and re-installed as part of a roof restoration or replacement.
What is the condition of your roof?
If your roof is damaged or will need replacing in the next few years, you must consider there can be additional costs or damages when a solar system is taken down and re-installed as part of a roof restoration or replacement.
What is the angle of your roof?
Solar panels are generally mounted with the angle of your roof. This means the tilt of your roof can impact the amount of sunlight on the panels. If you have a roof that is flat, or close to flat, it could affect the amount of electricity produced and reduce your bill savings.
Do you have enough roof space?
There needs to be enough space on your roof to accommodate around 10 solar panels. This means you will require between 17-20m2 of roof space.
How much weight can your roof hold?
Solar panels will add weight onto your roof. As part of our house suitability assessment, we will check whether the roof structure is strong enough to support the additional weight of the solar system.
Can I upsize my solar system?
When you participate in this offer you will receive a free fully installed 3kW solar system.
You can choose to upsize your solar system to a maximum of 6kW however, you must pay for additional costs associated with upsizing above the free 3kW solar system. The amount of savings you are likely to see from a larger system will depend on your lifestyle and electricity use. A larger system will work for you if you consume most of your electricity produced during daylight hours.
Solar electricity not consumed will be fed back to the grid. While you may receive a solar feed-in tariff for this electricity, this is generally much less than the amount you pay for the electricity you draw from the grid.
If you are interested in upsizing your your solar system, you will need to request further information at the time of your house suitability assessment. Our energy consultants will assess your energy habits and your electricity bill and advise whether you would benefit from an upsized solar system.
Is this program right for you?
Solar is a great way to cut your electricity bills and minimise your environmental footprint, so how can you be sure its right for you?
Consider the following questions to decide if this program is right for you.
- Are you happy to no longer receive your low income household rebate for a period of ten years for a solar system?
- Do you use most of your electricity during daylight hours?
- Have you talked to your electricity retailer to understand how solar could affect your electricity bills?
- Are you planning on staying in your house?
- Are you happy to maintain your solar system?
What are the ongoing costs of a solar system?
To ensure your system is performing at its best, regular service and maintenance is necessary. We recommend you plan for a service and maintenance visit once every 12 months.
Want to find out more?
If would like to find out more about the NSW Solar for Low Income Households Trial, it is important that you have read and understood the NSW Solar for Low Income Households Trial Program Guide.
If you have read the Low Income Household Trial Program Guide above, and you’re ready to proceed you can apply with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment here.
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We understand that no two rooftops are the same.
Tell us a little more about you and your energy needs and one of our Senior Energy Consultants will provide you with a tailored solution that is designed to suit your individual needs.
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