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Solar Rebates NT
Solar Rebates NT
Written by
Rachel Gregg
Edited by
Ellie Garran
Reviewed by
Julia PaszkaCompare Electricity & Gas Plans
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Long story short
Solar savings are up for grabs
There aren’t any NT-specific solar rebates, but national schemes like the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) can help cut costs up-front.
The NT gets more STCs than most states
Because of the NT’s high level of sunshine, you’ll typically qualify for a higher number of small-scale technology certificates (STCs), which could mean a bigger discount.
Battery rebates won’t last forever
Solar batteries can cost more than your solar panels, but the Home and Business Battery Scheme offers up to $12,000 back before the end of 2025 (or until it runs out).
Get extra savings with feed-in tariffs
Some energy providers pay you for sending excess solar power back to the grid. It means getting paid for what you don’t use!
What solar rebates are available for NT?
Scoring a rebate on your solar panels in the NT is like pulling an extra fish – an easy win, just for choosing to make the most of the Territory’s sun! And what’s in it for you? A quick check of what’s out there (and if you’re eligible) it could mean breathing a little easier when it comes time to look at your installation bill.
While there aren’t any NT-specific rebates right now, there are still some national schemes you can jump onto to make switching as painless on your wallet as possible.
Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
For many, the hurdle to getting solar panels is the up-front costs. That’s where the SRES comes in. It takes a solid chunk off your bill by giving you small-scale technology certificates (STCs), which you can then sell.1For more information, see Clean Energy Regulator – Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme
The number of STCs you get depends on your system’s size, how much energy it’s expected to generate until 2030, and where you live. It might sound a little complicated at first, but once you see the nice discount, any questions might fly out the door. Since the NT gets plenty of sunshine throughout the year, you’ll typically qualify for more STCs than other states, meaning a bigger discount later on.
The best part? You don’t have to touch any paperwork if you don’t want to. Most installers will trade in your STCs and do all the heavy lifting, so all you need to do is enjoy that big figure taken off your final bill.
Am I eligible for the SRES?
Most NT households are eligible for the SRES, as long as you meet a few simple requirements. Other than choosing an approved system that generates 100 kW or less, there isn’t much else you need to do to be eligible. Just make sure to choose a Clean Energy Council–approved installer to make sure your system ticks off those quality standard boxes. If you meet those three criteria, getting that discount should be smooth sailing.
Is it worth getting solar in the NT?
Just like a home reno, solar panels are a big financial purchase you’ll want to consider long and hard. And while you might not get a fancy new tub and bathroom out of it, solar panels can be really beneficial in the long run (especially on your bills).
This is especially the case in the NT. Because of the amount of sunshine, top-enders get more STCs than the southern states do. Which means you’ll get a bigger discount for the same size system compared to someone in say, Victoria.
So, what would your bill look like if you’re eligible for the SRES? Well, let’s say you want to install a 6.6 kW system that costs about $7,731 – which is pretty standard for most households. In the NT, you’d get about 64 STCs with a current market value of $39.90, which means you’d get about $2,553.60, or about 1/3 off your bill. Not bad for making the most of the NT’s almost endless rays.
Are there other ways solar can save you money in the NT
If you’re keen to squeeze even more value from your solar panel system, there are a few ways to get some extra savings on your electricity bills.
Some electricity providers offer feed-in tariffs, which basically let you sell any unused solar energy from your home back into the main grid. Instead of your extra energy just sitting there while you’re out and about, you can get paid to send it where it’s needed.
But if you want to play the long game with your savings, there’s another option – solar batteries. Solar batteries let you store excess power during the day, so you can use it when the sun’s clocked off for the night. But here’s the catch: they’re pretty costly (about $9,000-$17,000).
That’s where the Home and Business Battery Scheme comes in. If you’re eligible, you could get up to $12,000 covered by the NT Government, but only until the end of 2025 (or until funding runs out). So, if a solar battery is on your wish list, you might want to act fast.
Helpful tip:
The direction your solar panels face can make a huge difference in their efficiency. In the Southern Hemisphere, north-facing panels soak up the most sun. But if your roof isn’t north-friendly, it’s not the end of the line. East or west-facing panels can still work, they might just generate a bit less power.
If your home gets a little bit of sun from all directions, multiple inverter channels (north, east or west-facing panels) can help balance it out. Just chat with your installer about the best set-up for your roof to get the most bang for your buck.
Julia Paszka
General Manager – Utilities
Make the sun do the heavy lifting for your home
Why let the Territory’s endless sunshine go to waste? With solar rebates up for grabs, you could be paying less for power and more towards more exciting things like new fishing hooks for trips out to the Daly. But what’s the hook without the rod? To make sure your solar panels work at their best, you’ve got to make sure your electricity plan is there to back it up.
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