• Solar Bonus Scheme
• Queensland Solar Hot Water Program
• Pool filtration system RIS

Queensland Solar Hot Water Program

NEWS: Closure of the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program

The Queensland Solar Hot Water Program is integrally linked to the Federal Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate.

Regrettably, due to the Federal Government's decision to end its program on 19 February 2010, the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program can no longer operate. As a result, the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program was suspended effective 20 February 2010. A decision was made on 9 March 2010 that the suspension would not be lifted and the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program would be closed. 

The decision by the Federal Government to end its program and introduce a new scheme means that the former Federal solar hot water rebate of $1600 will reduce to $1000 under a new Federal Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme. Likewise, the former Federal heat pump rebate of $1000 will reduce to $600 under the new Federal scheme. This leaves a large funding gap.

This reduction would have meant that the Queensland Government would have to find over $100 million to meet the original Queensland Solar Hot Water Program target.

If you have registered interest/applied for the Program but not signed a contract to install a system

Due to closure of the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program, if you have only registered interest in the program, you will not be able to proceed. If you have also forwarded an application to participate in the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program, but you do not have a signed contract with a supplier to install a system, on or before 19 February 2010, your application will not proceed.

The Queensland Government remains committed to solar technology and is investigating the development of an alternative scheme as soon as possible. If you have registered interest or forwarded an application to participate in the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program, we will endeavour to give you priority to apply for any new scheme. More information will be available shortly.

If you have a signed contract (on or before 19 February 2010)

If you and your supplier have signed a contract to install a solar hot water heater under the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program on or before 19 February 2010 and are awaiting an installation, please be assured closure of our Program will not change or affect this contract.

Once your installation has been completed, please ensure that you lodge your application for the Federal Government's $1600 rebate as soon as possible as this must be received in Canberra by 19 March 2010. Please be aware, you must still lodge your application even if you cannot meet the 19 March 2010 deadline. If it is not received in time due to circumstances beyond your control, the Queensland Government has given assurances that you will not be disadvantaged by the reduction in the Federal Government rebate.

If you believe you are in this situation, please contact the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program Hotline on 13 25 23.

If you have had an installation completed

Receipts are being sent to those who have already had an installation completed under the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program, so they can lodge their application for the full $1600 Federal rebate, which needs to be received in Canberra on or before 19 March 2010.

Please be aware, you must still lodge your application, even if you cannot meet the 19 March 2010 deadline. If it is not received in time due to circumstances beyond your control, the Queensland Government has given assurances that you will not be disadvantaged by the reduction in the Federal Government rebate.

If you have already had a system installed under the Program, you will still be able to access any additional information or advice with your supplier and closure of our Program will not change or affect any warranty given for your system under your installation contract.

If you have questions about the operation of your newly installed solar hot water system, you should contact your allocated supplier in the first instance.

If you have any concerns regarding the lodgement of your Federal rebate application please contact the Queensland Solar Hot Water Program Hotline on 13 25 23.

Federal Government Solar Hot Water Rebate

Following your installation, and once you have received your final receipt from the Queensland Government, you are required to submit your Federal Solar Hot Water Rebate application straight away as it must be received in Canberra on or before 19 March 2010. Please complete the following:

• Attach a copy of your deposit receipt or a copy of your contract (dated on or before 19 February 2010) and your final purchase receipt from the Queensland Government to your application form.
• Ensure sections 3 and 4 of the Federal rebate form have been signed by your installer. 
• Post your application to the Federal Government at the following address:

Solar Hot Water Rebate
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601

Further information on the Federal Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate is available on
1800 808 571.

IMPORTANT: Transitional arrangements until 19 March 2010

Please see the link below to the Federal Government website if you would like more information on the transitional arrangements.

http://www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/solarhotwater

Last Updated 12 March 2010

Downloads:
Solar Technology Fact Sheet 
(PDF 473 Kb)

Links:
Phase out of electric storage hot water systems
Federal Rebate Information