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.
Where to begin
Installation requirements
Before designing or installing a small-scale system you must be aware of a number of requirements which will determine if the system is eligible for small-scale technology certificates after it is installed.
Familiarise yourself with the
installation requirements for small-scale systems before proceeding.
Document requirements
Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, all signed compliance statements, forms, certificates, reports, photos and invoices must be retained for a minimum period of five years after certificates are created.
The Clean Energy Regulator may request these documents at any time to prove that the system was eligible for small-scale technology certificates.
Take the time to understand the
document requirements for small-scale system installations.
Eligible small generation units
Before starting, it is important to ensure that you are informed about what type of system you should install, the systems and components that are approved and eligible under the small-scale renewable energy target, and the financial benefits you may be entitled to.
Read more information about
what you need to know if installing solar panels..
Criteria
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
Criteria
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.