ACT Sustainable Household Scheme: Solar + Batteries Clarification

Thinking of buying solar and batteries with the assistance of an ACT Sustainable Household Scheme (SHS) loan? Here’s something important you should know.

The SHS supports households in Canberra reduce their energy use and costs, and contributes to the Territory’s goal of transitioning to net zero emissions by 2045. Under the scheme, zero interest loans are provided to eligible participants on a range of equipment and improvements, among which are:

• electric heating and cooling
• hot water heat pump systems
• evacuated tube solar hot water system
• ceiling insulation
• new and used electric vehicles
• EV charging infrastructure
• home batteries
• rooftop solar power systems

A household may borrow a cumulative maximum of $15,000 over the life of the Scheme. For example, you could get solar panels installed initially, then apply for another loan for a reverse cycle air conditioner down the track.

The minimum loan application is $2,000. Participants have up to 10 years to repay the loan and as well as being zero interest, there are no upfront costs or fees. But there are plenty of terms and conditions – after all, this is Canberra.

Clearing Up Solar + Battery Loans Confusion

Among the criteria for most categories is the “unimproved value” (UV) of the property (land aspect) at which items will be installed. The UV of a property can be determined by visiting Access Canberra and entering in the address.

The UV ceilings vary depending on the product category.

For rooftop solar products (Category A), the UV of the property in any year from 2022 must be at or below $450,000¹. In this November 2024 guide from the ACT Government, it also classifies household battery storage systems as Category A (page 2), but further along in the guide it states the UV eligibility for Category B and D products *and* solar batteries is $750,000 or less (page 5).

Little wonder folks get confused. And it’s not unusual for a solar power system and home batteries to be installed at the same time, which can reduce overall cost. But what happens in this scenario in terms of SHS eligibility?

SQ’s Jono contacted the Sustainable Household Scheme team about the situation with the example of $20,000 solar and battery system, with the solar aspect costing $8,000 and the battery, $12,000. The reply:

“In your example of a $20k system consisting of $8k solar and $12k battery, if the household was eligible for both solar and battery (UV at or below $450,000), they may apply for a $15k loan. If the household was only eligible for the battery (UV higher than $450,000 but at or below $750,000), then they may only apply for a $12k loan to cover the battery.”

And what if an installer doesn’t itemise the quote to break down the solar and battery aspects? Jono was told the loan provider (Brighte) reviews all applications for such systems, and may ask vendors for further information.

So, there you have it. In addition to the guide mentioned above, you can also check out other terms and conditions on the Sustainable Household Scheme website to see if it might work for you.

According to the ACT Government, thousands of Canberra homeowners have participated in the Scheme since its launch in 2021. Beyond the $200 million committed by the ACT Government already, a further $80 million will be invested in the initiative.