Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, eligible small-scale renewable energy systems may be entitled to small-scale technology certificates, which can be sold to recoup a portion of the cost of purchasing and installing the system.
Small-scale renewable energy systems are categorised into small generation units and hot water systems.
Eligible small generation units
To be eligible for small-scale technology certificates, small generation units (including solar photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, and hydro systems) must:
- be installed no more than 12 months prior to the creation of certificates, and have its panels and inverter, listed on the
Clean Energy Council list of approved components
- meet Australian and New Zealand standards
- use a
Clean Energy Council accredited designer and installer and meet the
Clean Energy Council design and install guidelines
- comply with all local, state, territory and federal requirements, including electrical safety, and
- be classified as small-scale, and a:
- solar panel system that has a capacity of no more than 100kW, and a total annual electricity output less than 250MWh
- wind system that has a capacity of no more than 10kW, and a total annual electricity output of less than 25MWh, or
- hydro system that has a capacity of no more than 6.4kW, and a total annual electricity output of less than 25MWh.
If the small-generation unit is larger than the capacity limits listed above, it will be classified as a power station and must be
accredited as a power station under the
Large-scale Renewable Energy Target. If accreditation is successful, the unit may be eligible for
large-scale generation certificates.
Eligible solar water heaters systems
To be eligible for small-scale technology certificates, solar water heaters including air source heat pumps must:
- be listed on the
register of solar water heaters
- be installed no more than 12 months prior to the creation of certificates, and
- be classified as small-scale, and a:
- solar water heater with a capacity up to, and including 700 L (solar water heater models over 700 L capacity require additional documentation to be eligible for certificates), or
- air source heat pump with a capacity of no more than 425 L.
Make sure you retain
all documents which relate to the installation for a period of five years, which may be requested by the Clean Energy Regulator.