Solar Installation – REC’s

[Ian K]

Renewable Energy Certificates (REC's) are produced under the Australian Government’s Mandatory Renewable Energy Scheme (Renewable Energy Electricity Act 2000) which seeks to encourage additional renewable energy production and provides an added incentive for customers installing a renewable energy system.

We found, as individual purchaser’s, it was possible to get 3 REC’s issued to our Solar Installation on our new ATV, which we onward assigned to a trading company and that paid for a tank of Diesel. Kedron did not assign at van point of sale.

Home address was used in the paperwork. You must claim within 12 months of van delivery, have the panel manufacturer, output, part number and serial numbers, and proof of installation against a chassis number is also required. Only a five year deeming period, not fifteen, can be claimed as Kedron are not BCSE accredited (The owner can then claim again in another 5 years and then a third lot again 5 years later, totaling 15 years.)

Our 4 solar panels totaled 0.52kw x 1.185 (Zone 1 factor for Victoria) x 5 years = 3 REC’s . The zonal factor is higher in more sunnier states and possibly will result in a higher number of REC’s being issued. The value of a REC varies and was at the time worth $46 each.

The trading company we used was Green Energy Trading but I am sure there are many others. http://www.greenenergytrading.com.au/ The forms are downloadable on the site.