The Government has announced that on 30 June 2012, the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme will close. The Government has paid over $320 million under the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme to help more than 250,000 Australian households replace older, more carbon polluting hot water systems with renewable, climate-friendly alternatives.
To be eligible for the rebate before the scheme closes, systems must be installed, ordered (and a deposit paid) or purchased on or before 28 February 2012.
Applications lodged up to 30 June 2012 will continue to be processed. Applications received after 30 June 2012 will not be eligible.
The Government is continuing to support households to install climate-friendly hot water systems through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. Under this scheme, solar and heat pump hot water systems are assigned a number of Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) and retailers usually offer an upfront discount on systems in exchange for the STCs. For information on REBS visit: www.climatechange.gov.au/solarhotwater.
For information on the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme visit: http://www.climatechange.gov.au/ret.