Solar panel image: B137,CC BY-SA 4.0
Households in the Northern Territory waiting on details of the NT’s recently announced new energy efficiency subsidy can now start getting solar quotes.
In late November, and coinciding with the release of the NT Government’s Roadmap to Renewables report, Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced $4.5 million in funding for co-contribution grants of up to $1,000 for households to undertake energy efficiency upgrades; including the installation of solar panels and battery systems.
The full details of what’s been named the Smart Energy Grant were published a few hours ago.
The Smart Energy Grant operates on a 50-50 co-contribution basis (25% co-contribution for those in the NT pensioner and carer’s scheme), for grants of up to $1,000 exclusive of GST on items including:
- Solar power system installation
- Boosting the capacity of an existing solar panel system
- Solar battery storage installation
- Solar or energy efficient pool pump
- Installation or replacement of a solar hot water system
- Replacing a residential electric hot water system with an electric heat pump system
- Replacing light fittings with energy efficient LED lighting
- Energy efficient air conditioner replacement (existing system must be at least 6 years old and new system must meet minimum star ratings.
- Smart meter or energy monitoring devices
The NT grant is in addition to Australia’s existing major solar subsidy that can reduce the cost of system by thousands of dollars.
“The Territory Labor Government knows that the best way to grow population is to create jobs and reduce the cost of living – and this investment in renewable energy does that,” said Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison.
Starting today, households interested in taking advantage of the program can start sourcing solar quotes from businesses in the Territory. Then, from January 2, 2018, an application for a grant can be submitted online. If the application is approved, a voucher will be issued. Work cannot start until the voucher has been received and installation must be completed within three months after the voucher issue date, although there is a possibility of extension.
In order to be eligible, quotes must be sourced from solar installers that:
- are a ‘Territory enterprise’
- employ <50 staff (which includes directors and owners).
- have been operating in the Northern Territory for at least six months.
- meet the other minimum requirements set out in the terms and conditions.
Further details of the Smart Energy Grant program can be viewed here.
Applications close on 31 January 2019 or when funds are exhausted, whichever is sooner – and based on the popularity of previous voucher programs, it’s quite possible it will be sooner.
After a long absence of activity on the renewable energy front, the Northern Territory Government seems to be really getting into gear for working towards its target of 50% renewables for the Territory by 2030. Earlier today, we reported $5 million in funding has been announced for the Intyalheme Centre for Future Energy (ICFE), which will be located at the Desert Knowledge Precinct in Alice Springs and act as the knowledge infrastructure for the NT’s big renewables push.
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