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Water, energy and environment

South Australian solar hot water rebate


Please note the South Australian solar hot water rebate scheme is ending.  
  • Solar hot water services installed after 30 June will not be eligible for a rebate. 
  • Applications for installations completed by 30 June 2013 close on Wednesday 31 July 2013. 
  • Rebate payments will end on Thursday 15 August 2013.

Concession card holders who install a new solar water heater or a new electric heat pump water heater may be eligible for a $500 solar hot water rebate from the South Australian Government.

Download, print and fill out the application form (PDF 206KB).

If you would like a copy of the application form posted to you please contact the Energy Advisory Service.

On this page:

Applicant eligibility
Installation requirements
Water heater requirements
Ineligible installation and dwelling types
How to apply
Other rebates and incentives you may be eligible for

Applicant eligibility

To be eligible for the solar hot water rebate, you must hold at least one of these Australian Government concession cards:

  • Centrelink Health Care Card
  • Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card – Totally and Permanently Incapacitated (TPI)
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card – War Widow (WW)
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs – Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA)

The following cards are not eligible for the rebate:

  • Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
  • State Seniors Card, Medicare Card
  • Department of Veterans’ Affairs White and Orange cards.

You must be the owner or part-owner of the home and it must be your principal place of residence on the day the water heater installation is completed. Your principal place of residence is the main place you live, sleep and conduct daily life.

Rebates are limited to one per residence.

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Installation requirements

For a new home or an additional water heater installation
For an established home replacing an existing water heater

For a new home or an additional water heater installation

If the installation:

  • occurs in a new home, or
  • you install an additional water heater which does not replace an existing water heater,

the type of water heater you can install depends on the availability of natural gas or LPG in the street.

Availability of natural gas or LPG in the streetWater heater eligible for the rebate
Gas is available in the street Gas-boosted solar water heater
Gas is not available in the streetGas-boosted (LPG) solar water heater

Electric-boosted solar water heater

Electric heat pump water heater

Find out more about these efficient types of water heaters.

For an established home replacing an existing water heater

 

Type of water heater being replacedWater heater eligible for the rebate
Natural gas or LPG water heaterGas-boosted solar water heater
Conventional electric water heaterGas-boosted solar water heater

Electric-boosted solar water heater

Electric heat pump water heater
All other types including oil and combustionGas-boosted solar water heater

Electric-boosted solar water heater

Electric heat pump water heater

Find out more about these efficient types of water heaters.

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Water heater requirements

To be eligible for the rebate, the water heater must:

  • be installed by a qualified and licensed tradesperson
  • be new and have a warranty of five years or more on all major component parts including frost protection if required in affected regions
  • be eligible for a minimum of 18 small scale technology certificates (STCs) in the Clean Energy Regulator's zone 3, regardless of the zone in which it is installed.

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Ineligible installations and dwelling types

Installations for purposes other than the supply of domestic hot water are not eligible for a rebate - eg water heaters for heating swimming pools.

Installations in these types of premises are not eligible:

  • rental properties
  • commercial, industrial and business locations
  • public and co-operative housing
  • retirement villages
  • aged care facilities
  • holiday homes
  • caravans, mobile homes and houseboats.

Retrofits and second-hand water heaters including water heaters with second-hand component parts are not eligible installations.

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How to apply

Rebates are only available for water heaters installed by 30 June 2013. 

Applicants must lodge their rebate application by 31 July 2013 or within six months of the date the installation is completed, whichever comes first. This date is shown on the certificate of compliance.

Step 1: Complete the application form

Download, print and fill out the the application form (PDF 206KB).

If you would like a copy of the application form posted to you please contact the Energy Advisory Service.

Make sure the form is fully completed and signed as incomplete applications will be returned to applicants without processing.

Step 2: Copy supporting documents

Attach copies of the following documents:

  • electrical, gas or plumbing certificate of compliance
  • tax invoice or lease maintenance agreement for the water heater installed
  • a scan or photocopy of your eligible concession card, and
  • a copy of either your:
    • SA Water account or local government rates notice that is less than four months old
    • Revenue SA Emergency Service Levy Assessment or a Certificate of Title.

Step 3: Post the form and documents

Post your application to:

Solar Hot Water Administrator
DMITRE Energy Markets and Programs
PO Box 1264
Adelaide SA 5001

Please allow four to six weeks for processing and delivery of the rebate cheque.

The South Australian Government reserves the right to change the rebate amount or any other aspects of the guidelines or cancel the scheme at any time.

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Other rebates and incentives you may be eligible for

See Rebates for installing an efficient water heater for an overview of the available rebates and incentives.

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More information

On this site
Choosing an efficient water heater


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