Government Incentives

Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme - Australia wide

The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme creates a financial incentive for individuals and small businesses to install eligible small-scale renewable energy systems such as solar panel systems, small-scale wind systems, small-scale hydro systems, solar water heaters and air source heat pumps. It does this through the creation of small-scale technology (STC) certificates which Renewable Energy Target liable entities have a legal obligation to buy and surrender to the Clean Energy Regulator on a quarterly basis.

Small-scale technology (STC) certificates can be created following the installation of an eligible system, and are calculated by the amount of electricity a system produces or displaces.

Positive Energy calculate the Small-scale Technology (STC) certificates at the time of signing your contract and deduct the rebate from the overall price of your solar PV System.

Electricity Feed-In Tariffs - Queensland and New South Wales

The renewable energy feed-in tariff pays eligible New South Wales and Queensland households and small businesses for the excess electricity they generate from small-scale solar (photovoltaic or PV) wind turbine or hydro  systems.

If you already have a renewable energy generation system installed on your home or just about to have a system installed and aren't receiving a feed-in tariff but want to, you'll need to contact your energy retailer to determine your eligibility.

Feed-in credits or payments you receive may have implications if you receive any Centrelink or other benefit payments, they may also be considered as assessable income by the Australian Taxation Office.

Energex Peaksmart Air-conditioning Program - Queensland

The Energex PeakSmart Air-conditioning Program provides eligible South East Queensland households and businesses with financial incentives of up to $2,000 for purchasing and installing up to five PeakSmart-enabled air conditioners per household or business premises.

Households benefit by accessing the PeakSmart financial incentives well as helping to reduce peak electricity demand (periods placing the highest demand on energy use-such a hot summer days).

Positive Energy can assist you in completing the installation paperwork to enable you to complete your claim.

For more information, click here.

Energy Savings Scheme - NSW Commercial

The Energy Savings Scheme reduces electricity consumption in NSW by creating financial incentives for organisations to invest in energy savings projects.  Energy savings are achieved by installing, improving or replacing energy savings equipment.  

The Energy Savings Scheme is governed by NSW legislation. It places a mandatory obligation on Scheme Participants to obtain and surrender energy savings certificates, which represent energy savings.  The development of the policy framework is the responsibility of the Office of Environment and Heritage and the Department of Industry.

There are a range of activities at commercial and industrial sites that may be eligible under the Energy Savings Scheme.  These may include:

  • efficiency improvements or line upgrades at industrial sites (eg, chemical plants, manufacturing plants, mills)
  • behavioural changes in the way energy is used in schools or hospitals
  • installation of efficient large refrigeration and cooling systems at retail and commercial sites, and
  • replacement of out of date equipment, or modification and efficiency improvements to existing equipment.

Common equipment level, or end-user equipment focused, energy savings opportunities can be found in:

  • compressed air systems (that are oversized or leak)
  • variable speed drives (VSDs) fitted to inefficient motors
  • modifications to large refrigeration systems
  • replacement or modification of HVAC Chillers and systems
  • decommissioning or retiring of old plant made redundant by more specialised equipment
  • installation of high efficiency motors
  • installation of power factor correction capacitors

There is also a Commercial Lighting Energy Savings Formula (Commercial Lighting) used to calculate energy savings from upgrades of existing lighting, including:

  • general purpose building lighting
  • lighting for roads and public spaces, or
  • traffic signals.

For more information, click here.