Renewable Energy Certificates
Australia is divided up into zones based on how much renewable energy can be generated by a solar panel in a given area.
A system installed in Melbourne or Hobart (zone 4) receives fewer STCs than the same sized system installed in Sydney (zone 3) or Darwin (zone 2). This is because Melbourne and Hobart receive less sunshine, so less solar energy is produced by the system.
You can use the REC Registry calculator to determine your approximate level of subsidy.
The table below shows the level of financial support available from STCs on solar PV systems in the major capital cities of Australia.
| City | Zone | Rating | System size | Deeming period | Total STC entitlement | Total subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | 3 | 1.382 | x 3 KW | x 15 (Years) = | 62 | $2170 (62 STCs x $35) |
| Brisbane | 3 | 1.382 | x 3 kW | x 15 (years)= | 62 | $2170 (62 STCs x $35) |
| Canberra | 3 | 1.382 | x 3 kW | x 15 (years)= | 62 | $2170 (62 STCs x $35) |
| Darwin | 2 | 1.536 | x 3 kW | x 15 (years)= | 69 | $2415 (69 STCs x $35) |
| Hobart | 4 | 1.185 | x 3 kW | x 15 (years)= | 53 | $1855 (53 STCs x $35) |
| Melbourne | 4 | 1.185 | x 3 kW | x 15 (years)= | 53 | $1855 (53 STCs x $35) |
| Perth | 3 | 1.382 | x 3 kW | x 15 (years)= | 62 | $2170 (62 STCs x $35) |
| Sydney | 3 | 1.382 | x 3 kW | x 15 (years)= | 62 | $2170 (62 STCs x $35) |
Zone Rating x Rated Power Output (3 kW) x Deeming Period (15 years) = Total STC Entitlement. Figures based on the $35 STC rate. This is an approximate rate and the STC price will vary. For more information click here.
STCs and Solar Credits
The Solar Credits program is based on the Renewable Energy Certificate system, but with a certificate multiplier incentive offering up to 3 x the usual number of STCs issued for solar power systems up to 1.5kW.
The table below shows the level of financial support available from Solar Credits on solar power systems in the major capital cities of Australia:
| City | Number Of Solar Credits Due |
| Adelaide | $2170 (62 STCs x $35) |
| Brisbane | $2170 (62 STCs x $35) |
| Canberra | $2170 (62 STCs x $35) |
| Darwin | $2415 (69 STCs x $35) |
| Hobart | $1855 (53 STCs x $35) |
| Melbourne | $1855 (53 STCs x $35) |
| Perth | $2170 (62 STCs x $35) |
| Sydney | $2170 (62 STCs x $35) |
Environmental Upgrade Agreements For Landlords of Commercial Buildings
Did you know that you can upgrade your building and you may be eligible for assistance under the “Environmental Upgrade Agreement” from the NSW State Government.
Environmental Upgrade Agreements (EUAs) now make it easier to access finance for environmental improvements to existing commercial, industrial, strata scheme and large multi-unit residential buildings in NSW.
Under this agreement, a finance provider lends funds to a building owner for water, energy and other environmental upgrades, and this low-risk loan is repaid through a local council charge on the land.
Tenants of commercial buildings can be asked to contribute to the costs. However, these additional costs must be offset by their reduced energy and water bills.
How do EUAs work?
- The building owner, council and finance provider voluntarily enter into an EUA.
- The building owner agrees to carry out the environmental upgrade works.
- The finance provider agrees to advance the funds for the works.
- Council agrees to level environmental upgrade charges to pass repayments on to the finance provider (minus council’s processing fees).
What activities are eligible for EUAs?
Upgrade activities eligible for an EUA include improving energy or water efficiency, reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, recycling, pollution prevention or reduction, renewable energy projects and reducing car use by encouraging activities like walking and cycling.
Click here for up to date information regarding EUA’s.
ATO Tax Concessions
Small business entity concessions
Small businesses with an annual turnover less than $2 million may be able to access a range of tax concessions. This applies whether you operate your business as a sole trader, partnership, company or trust.
Eligibility
You need to work out whether your business is eligible for the concessions generally. Then you can choose one or more of the tax concessions that suit your business and check your specific eligibility. You should also check whether you are eligible each tax year.
Also a ATO entity concessions that may be relevant to either the super fund or the lease company depending on who purchases the system.
For current information please visit the ATO website.