Solar for low income households

Are you a pensioner and interested in solar energy? You may be eligible for a free 3 kilowatt solar system installed on your home. You will need to meet specific criteria and reside in one of the five trial regions outlined below.

The Solar for low income households trial helps eligible households access affordable clean energy by providing them with free solar systems. A solar system can help you unlock long term savings on your household electricity bills by up to $600 a year.

“Solar is great to have on your house, and it’s environmentally friendly too, because you’re using the sun.” Dave and Isobel, Participants

What’s the offer?

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.

Solar is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint and you can save up to $600 a year on your household electricity bills. That’s up to twice as much as the Low Income Household Rebate of $285 a year.

Am I eligible?

This offer is available for up to 3,000 low-income households in selected NSW regions.

To be eligible, you must:

• currently receive the Low Income Household Rebate
• agree not to receive 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:
  • Central Coast
  • North Coast
  • Sydney – South
  • Illawarra – Shoalhaven
  • 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

Before applying

To help you decide if installing solar is the right choice for you:

• read the program guide for important information about the eligibility criteria and your role and responsibilities in the trial.
• read the frequently asked questions.

How to apply

1. Click on the Apply Here button below. We recommend you use Google Chrome as your preferred browser.
2. Follow the steps to Register your account to access the application form. You will need to enter your details and create a password.
3. Complete the Eligibility check, Eligibility application and Consent sections.
4. Submit your application.

To complete your application, you will need to upload the following:

• a Council rates notice or similar evidence to confirm that you own your home. If you don't have a Council rates notice, please contact the Solar for Low Income Households team below to discuss alternate forms of evidence.
• 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

If you need assistance to complete and submit your application form, call Service NSW on 13 77 88 or visit your nearest Service NSW centre.

Next steps

Once you have submitted your application and your eligibility is approved:

1. We will notify you by email and send your details to the approved solar installer in your area.
2. The installer contacts you to arrange a house suitability assessment.
3. The installer organises your contract and installation of your free solar system.
4. Your solar system is set up and you’re moved off the Low Income Household Rebate. The installer provides you with training on how to use your system so you can benefit from using solar energy.

Approved installers information

The approved installers for the five eligible 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

These installers are responsible for supplying and installing the solar systems.

No other companies are authorised to carry out installations under the trial.

Case studies

Read more here  about how solar savings took the sting out of a difficult year for Dave and Isobel.

Read more here about how Catherine couldn’t believe her good fortune after qualifying for a free solar system

Watch more here about why Bob took up the offer of a free solar system through the trial to access renewable energy and save on power bills.

Other ways to save on your electricity and
gas bills 

To help you more easily compare energy deals, visit Energy Made Easy. This is a free service to find the best available plans for your household based on your energy usage.

Get in touch

If you have any further questions about this offer:

• read the frequently asked questions
• call 13 77 88 to speak to a specialist at Service NSW
• contact the Solar for Low Income Households team by filling out this form.