Solar for low income households

Program update: How we are responding to COVID-19

All our approved installers have implemented measures to reduce the likelihood of coming into contact with or spreading COVID-19. These include minimising face-to-face contact and maintaining physical distance, adhering to strict hygiene practices and responding quickly to updated information and instructions from the Federal and NSW Governments. Please contact your installer if you have any questions or concerns around the controls they are implementing. Visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latest-news-and-updates for up to date information on COVID-19 and how to keep yourself safe.

Woman and dog in front of house with solar panels in regional NSW.

Introduction

We are trialling a new way of helping people on low incomes reduce their electricity bills by installing 3 kilowatt solar systems on their homes.

Who is eligible?

This trial is only available to up to 3000 low-income households in selected NSW regions.

To be eligible you need to meet the criteria, this includes:

currently getting the Low Income Household Rebate
agreeing not to get the rebate for ten years
hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card
own your house
not already have a solar PV system
live in one of the following regions:
            o          Central Coast
            o          North Coast
            o          Sydney – South
            o          Illawarra – Shoalhaven
            o          South Coast
if you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household.

CHECK THIS LIST OF POSTCODES TO SEE IF YOU'RE IN ONE OF THESE REGIONS

The process

You apply online.
We pass your details to the solar installer.
The solar installer gets in touch to assess your house.
The solar installer organises your contract and installation.
Your solar system is set up and you’re moved off the rebate.

Before applying

You must read the program guide before applying. It has important information about the eligibility criteria and your role and responsibilities in the program. It will help you decide if installing solar is the right choice for you.

Solar for low income program guide (PDF 1MB)

How to apply

Select the ‘apply here’ button (google chrome preferred browser).
Sign up with your email address and create a password.
Answer the questions to check your eligibility.

To apply you will need:

a Council rates notice or similar evidence to confirm that you own your home
a recent electricity bill to confirm that you are receiving the Low Income Household Rebate
an image of your Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans' Affairs Gold Card to confirm it is valid and up to date.

Apply here

Solar installer information

The installers for the five regions are:

North Coast	SAE Group	6638 9439
Central Coast	Origin Energy	1300 791 468
Sydney – South	Origin Energy	1300 791 468
Illawarra – Shoalhaven	Origin Energy	1300 791 468
South Coast	SolarHub	4488 4220

The three installers are responsible for supplying and installing the solar systems.

No other companies have been authorised to carry out installations as part of this program.

Help

If you have any further questions about this program, you can:

see our frequently asked questions (PDF 101KB)
contact a specialist at Service NSW on 13 77 88
contact the program team by filling out this form.

The Department of Planning, Industry and Environment will keep your personal information for the sole purpose of emailing you updates about the Solar for Low Income Households trial.

Privacy notice

Please see the program’s privacy notice here.

Page last updated on 12 August 2020