1,000 extra subsidy packages have been added to the Queensland Government’s solar and storage scheme – but it’s likely they won’t last long.
Grants of $3,000 and interest-free loans of up to $10,000 for 1,000 solar + battery storage systems, along with grants of $3,000 and interest-free loans of up to $6,000 for 500 battery systems were made available just a couple of weeks ago.
According to the State Government, approximately 1200 applications have been lodged so far for the original 1,500 packages. While another thousand packages are being made available, it expects these to be snapped up by December 15 based on current rate of uptake.
It’s not clear what the split is between the packages, but the original tranche of 500 battery-only subsidies meant that it was available to less than one-tenth of one percent of owners of existing systems in the state.
“My advice is to get your quote and apply before it’s too late,” said Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham. “This is about helping Queenslanders reduce their power bills, reduce our emissions as we make the transition to a renewable future.”1
Batteries And Installers Must Be QLD Government Approved
The subsidy is only available for QLD government approved battery systems, and these batteries must be installed by an approved supplier – a list of both can be viewed here. Details of some of the approved batteries can be found on SolarQuotes’ solar battery storage comparison page.
Eligibility details for battery-only grants and loans can be viewed here and for solar + battery systems here.
Dr Lynham also stated that should all the packages be taken soon as he expects, Queenslanders can still apply and be placed on a waitlist in the event that some of those approved drop out for whatever reason.
According to the most recent data available from Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator (current as at September 30), 2,245 concurrent solar + storage installations have occurred in the state since 2014; however some installations may have flown under its radar. The Regulator also doesn’t track numbers relating to batteries retrofitted to existing systems.
While Queensland is yet to set any sort of energy storage target, it has a target of 1 million rooftops or 3,000 megawatts of solar photovoltaics across the state by 2020.
Solar-Only Loans Still Available
Solar-only interest-free loans are also still available in Queensland under another related program. This loan is for up to $4,500 and must be repaid within 7 years. Unlike the solar/storage scheme, eligibility is quite narrow. Among its criteria, participants must receive Family Tax Benefit B and have electricity bills totaling more than $1,000 over the past 6 months, or more than $2,000 over the past 12 months.
Footnotes
- SQ’s Ronald has argued on a number of occasions battery systems won’t reduce emissions ↩
About Michael Bloch
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hi
i recently applied and got the $3000 grant for a solar battery, but after getting quotes from every single participying company and am disgusted of their quotes.
some of the companies actually increased the quote and think that $3k is for them, and do not understand that its to help the consumer.
the quotes are highly varying and when i compare to the car battery capacity, which has to be lighter, smaller, stronger, safer etc. (new tesla roadster to have a 200kWh) as compare to the battery that i’m after of about 6kWh for anywhere from $7 to $9k. if you compare to what the car batter costs, then the car would be many hundreds of thousands- just for the battery..
i’m so upset, i will be waiting for a few months, and will try again.
or at worst, will not go ahead with the battery purchase..
very angry that the batteries are being charged at a premium in Australia… and not what they are actually worth..
has anyone brought this point up and what is being done about it
thanks
arthur