Ecological Homes Website Links

Federal Government - Solar Hot Water systems installed in new dwellings or replacing an old electric storage heater qualify for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) issued by the Office for Renewable Energy Regulator (ORER). Solar heaters typically are eligible for between 10 and 64 RECs, depending on the type of system and your location. The RECs are only issued once and cover all the energy that the system will produce over 10 years. See www.orer.gov.au for more details.

NSW - no state rebates for solar hot water (only RECs)

Victoria - The government is also offering a rebate of up to $1500 on solar hot water heaters (if you do not qualify for RECs). The rebate is available when you replace your existing gas or solid fuel hot water system with a Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria (SEAV) approved solar hot water system. The amount of the rebate depends on the type of system purchased. Sustainable Energy Authority Victoria www.seav.vic.gov.au

Queensland - Up to $750 for solar hot water systems (dependent upon efficiency if you do not qualify for RECs). Up to $100 for replacement panels and tanks. See - Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.qld.gov.au

WA - WA offers a rebate in addition to the Federal Government's RECs scheme - which makes installing a solar hot water system in WA a particularly attractive proposition. The rebates are: Gas-boosted for any home: $600 Electricity-boosted for new homes only: $300 First homeowners receive an additional $200 Systems installed in off-grid areas receive an additional $200 One panel solar hot water systems receive $200 less. See WA Sustainable Energy Development Office www.sedo.energy.wa.gov.au

SA - $700 for a new system with a panel collector area of 3.5 sq m or greater (nominal two panel system). $500 for a new solar hot water system with a panel collector area of 1.75 sq m up to 3.49 sq m (nominal one panel system). $700 for a heat pump system. $500 for any solar retro-fit kit or pre-heating system. See Energy SA www.sustainable.energy.sa.gov.au

ACT - Environment ACT offers rebates of up to $1,600 for solar hot water systems on top of the RECs rebates making it one of the best states to install a hot water system. See Environment ACT for more details www.environment.act.gov.au

NT - no additional state rebates for solar hot water (only RECs)

Tasmania - no additional state rebates for solar hot water (only RECs)

2) Solar Power (Photo-Voltaics)

Federal Government - The Federal Government offers a rebate for both grid-connected (urban areas) and stand-alone systems (remote areas). The minimum system size or addition to an existing system is 450W. For new residential systems the rebate is calculated at $4 per Watt and is capped at $4000 (equivalent to 1.0kW), the cap is $8000 equivalent to 2 kW for community-use buildings. For upgrades the rebate is calculated at $2.50 per Watt and is capped at $2500 (equivalent to 1.0kW). The system must be installed by an accredited installer. The installation must be at your principal place of residence. Major equipment items in the installation must be new (not second-hand).

The Photo-Voltaic Rebate Program administered by the Greenhouse Office www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/pv

No additional state or territory Solar Power rebates exist.

3) Rainwater Tanks

Federal Government - no federal government rebates exist for rainwater tanks.

NSW - Sydney Water provides the following rebate on water tanks: 2000 - 3999 litres: $150 tank rebate plus $150 if a toilet and/or washing machine are connected to the tank. 4000 - 6999 litres: $400 tank rebate plus $150 if a toilet and/or washing machine are connected to the tank. 7,000 + litres: $500 tank rebate plus $150 if a toilet and/or washing machine are connected to the rainwater tank. Sydney Water www.sydneywater.com.au

Victoria - The Victorian State Government currently offers rebates on the following water-saving products: Greywater permanent tank system: $500 Rainwater tank (600L minimum): $150 Rainwater tank-to-toilet connection: $150 Dual-flush toilet: $50 AAA showerhead: $10 Water conservation audit: $30 High-pressure cleaning device: $30 see www.ourwater.vic.gov.au

WA - The WA State Government's Waterwise Rebate program was introduced in 2003 and is one of the most comprehensive in the country. It covers the following items: Garden bores: rebate of $300 or 50 per cent of the installation cost (whichever is cheaper). Greywater reuse systems and aerobic treatment units: $500 or 50 per cent of purchase and installation costs (whichever is cheaper) when the unit is installed by a qualified plumber. Rainwater tanks: rebates are available for tanks with a capacity greater than 600L. A 600 - 1999L tank will qualify for a $50 rebate. For tanks with capacity greater than 2000L, a $150 rebate applies. If your tank is larger than 2000L and you connect it to your toilet and/or washing machine you are eligible for a further $150. Water-efficient showerheads: rated AAA or better draw a $10 rebate. see WA Water Corporation www.watercorporation.com.au

Queensland - The Queensland Government doesn't offer any state wide rebates on water. But many local councils offer rebates on tanks and water-saving devices. The Gold Coast Council, for instance, offers rebates on water tanks, AAA-rated showerheads, swimming pool covers, water flow regulators and AAAA-rated washing machines. Check with your local council to find out if rebates are available in your area.

ACT - $150 for a tank between 2000 and 3999L. $300 for a tank between 4000 and 8999L. $400 for 9000L plus. $150 extra if your tank is connected to your toilet or washing machine. You can also get a rebate on water-efficient showerheads. See Think Water ACT www.thinkwater.act.gov.au

Tas/NT - Some local councils in Tasmania are offering rebates on a wide variety of water-saving products. For instance, Hobart City Council offers rebates on: Water audit for property: $20 Replacement of single-flush toilet with dual-flush toilet: $40 Installation of rainwater tank for toilet flushing: $220 Water-efficient washing machine: $60 Water-efficient showerhead: $10 Check with your local council for details of their schemes.

No rainwater tank rebate exists in the NT.

Renewable Energy (solar power, solar hot water, wind power, geothermal, wave power, hydro power, etc)

Alternative Technology Association www.ata.org.au

Solar House Day www.solarhouseday.com

Rainbow Power Company www.rpc.com.au

Jackgreen (green energy - NSW only) www.jackgreen.com.au

ENF - an industry focused database of solar power companies that provides the latest solar business and technical news plus a list of government solar power contracts www.enf.cn

Miscellaneous

Eco Real Estate www.eco.com.au