Overview

The Victorian Government Solar Hot Water rebate can help households in regional Victoria with a point of sale discount of up to $1,600 to replace or improve the efficiency of an existing hot water system.

A similar solar hot water rebate for households in metropolitan Melbourne is also available. If you're unsure which rebate you are eligible for, you can use the Region Checker tool on the Sustainability Victoria website.

Key eligibility

To qualify for this rebate you must:

• be replacing an existing natural gas, LPG, solar, solid fuel or oil fired water heater with a solar system
• purchase the system from a participating manufacturer, retailer or plumber
• install the new system at your principal place of residence, or at a residence where there is a permanent tenant and the electricity and gas bills are in the tenant's name
• install the new system in an existing home where the water heater has been in use at that address for at least 12 months or for 5 years if you are replacing an existing solar system with a new one
• only apply for one rebate per residence.

If you're replacing an existing electric storage hot water heater with a gas-boosted or electric-boosted solar hot water system, you can only apply for the Victorian Government Solar Hot Water rebate if you're ineligible for the Australian Government Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme - solar hot water rebate because:

• you received assistance under the former Home (or Home Owner) Insulation Program
• you had foil insulation installed under former Home (or Home Owner) Insulation which hasn't been removed under the Foil Insulation Safety Program.

Homeowners, landlords and renters are eligible for the rebates. If you're renting, you'll need to have your landlord's permission to have the new hot water system installed.

A number of other conditions apply. Check your eligibility on the Sustainability Victoria website.

Items covered

Rebates are available for:

• replacing your natural gas or LPG water heater with a gas-boosted solar hot water system
• adding solar to an existing natural gas or LPG water heater by installing a solar hot water preheater
• adding solar to a conventional off-peak electric water heater by installing a retrofit kit
• replacing your existing solar, solid fuel or oil-fired water heater with a solar hot water system. You must install a gas-boosted system if you have natural gas available in your street.

You might be able to save even more with the Australian Government's Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs).

Next steps

Make sure you understand the full program information on the Victorian Government resourceSmart website.

For more information, you can also call the free information service on 1300 366 195 or email rebates@sustainability.vic.gov.au.

Solar Hot Water Rebate - regional Victoria

www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au/for_households/rebates_3096.html