Government schemes can cut the cost of rooftop solar
Solar Rebates & Incentives in the NT
Australia’s Federal, State, and Territory governments have introduced various solar rebates and incentives to boost the renewable energy sector. Renewable energy is essential for reducing carbon emissions and combating global warming.
Initially, these policies were born out of necessity. Electricity generated from rooftop solar panels and wind turbines helped decrease the need for additional capacity. Alongside traditional, aging fossil-fueled power stations, this combination ensured that energy demand was met.
Before the shift to privatization, government or semi-government agencies built, funded, and operated the infrastructure that provided virtually all our power. Even after privatization, Australia continued to offer direct and indirect government subsidies for fossil fuel-based energy sources.
From both a financial and environmental perspective, it made more sense for the government to encourage households and businesses to invest in small-scale solar. This approach not only helped meet the growing demand for power but also contributed significantly to emissions reduction targets.
While it may seem that governments are being generous with their solar rebate and incentive programs, the reality is that these initiatives are cleverly designed to be largely funded by the traditional fossil-fueled power industry.
Governments require major power companies to generate a portion of their capacity from renewable sources. If they fail to meet these requirements, they must subsidize those who are willing to do so – and that includes people like you!
These incentive programs have been instrumental in the rapid adoption of solar energy across Australia, including the Northern Territory. This widespread adoption is helping to make solar even more competitive, fueling further growth.
The first key incentives for solar come from subsidies under Federal and NT Government schemes, which help cover the cost of your PV panel installation.
Additionally, you can benefit from ongoing solar incentives through the NT Feed-in Tariffs, which pay for the surplus electricity your system generates.
(Government support)
Solar Incentives
- Small Scale Technology Certificates (effective rebate on system under 100kW)
- Large-scale Renewable Energy Target program subsidy for large commercial installations
- NT Government Assistance for Residential & Business Solar
- NT Home business abttery grant for Residential & Business Solar batteries
Government Incentive Programs We Can Assist You With
How to Claim STC Incentives
If you decide to claim the incentive yourself, be prepared for a potentially daunting paperwork process. That’s why most new solar households choose to assign their STCs to their installer and let them handle the process.
At Sunoxi, we have a documentation specialist familiar with the STC process, making it seamless and hassle-free for you.
To qualify for STC benefits, your system must be designed and installed by a Clean Energy Council accredited professional. Additionally, your solar panels and components must be approved for use in Australia by the Clean Energy Council. Sunoxi is fully accredited and uses only Clean Energy Council-approved panels and components.
Super FiT
From 1 July 2025, we’ll offer a new Super FiT from 3pm to 9pm daily at a rate of 18.66 cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh). The Anytime FiT of 9.33c/kWh applies at all other times.
Super FiT applies to eligible residential and business customers with an electronic interval (smart) meter only.
Eligibility
To receive Super FiT, residential and business customers must:
- Have a solar system less than 30kVA;
- Consume less than 750 megawatt hours per year; and
- Have an electronic interval (smart) meter installed at the property.
Smart meter customers
Smart meters provide regular usage data and the time-of-day solar power is exported. This is used to calculate how much export will be credited as Anytime FiT or Super FiT.
Solar customers with smart meters don’t need to do anything to start receiving Super FiT. The new rate is automatically applied to billing periods from 1 July 2025.
Mechanical meter customers
Mechanical (basic) meters have a cumulative total for solar exported. A basic meter can’t track the time-of-day that solar is exported. Basic meter customers who want to receive Super FiT will need to upgrade to a smart meter.
Power and Water is upgrading old mechanical meters to smart meters across the Territory by 2029. There are costs associated with upgrading your meter earlier than scheduled. Visit the Power and Water website for more information.
Gross meter customers
Solar customers with gross meters export all their solar power to the grid, rather than consuming it at their property first. All electricity used at a gross meter property is drawn from the grid. Gross meter customers are ineligible for Super FiT.
Power and Water has been upgrading gross meters across the Territory. All gross meter customers would have received correspondence from both Jacana Energy and Power and Water about their upgrade.
The gross meter upgrade program has ended and the scheduled period for a free meter upgrade has now closed. Any remaining gross meter customers will need to pay for the cost of reprogramming or upgrading their meter.
Meter upgrades
You can contact us as your electricity retailer to request a meter upgrade. Meter upgrades are installed by the network provider, Power and Water.
Power and Water is upgrading basic meters to smart meters across the Territory by 2029. If you want your meter upgraded sooner, you will need to pay for the cost of upgrading your meter earlier than scheduled. These charges will be applied to your next bill after your upgrade.
Premium FiT
Premium FiT was grandfathered in 2020 for new solar customers. Premium FiT customers have been gradually transferred to Anytime FiT since 2022. There are no plans to extend or reinstate Premium FiT.