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The Commonwealth, through the Australian Greenhouse Office and the Government of South Australia through Energy Division introduced the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP).
The program provides rebates of up to 50% of the initial capital costs of renewable energy installations in remote areas of South Australia.
In August 2006 the Prime Minister announced an additional $123.5 million over four years from July 2007 to extend the RRPGP nationally. Around $328 million will be available over the life of the RRPGP.
Residential and Medium-Scale (RM) Sub-Program
The Residential and Medium-Scale (RM) Sub-Program commenced on 23 July 2007 and provides rebates for households, communities, not-for-profit, business, government and other organisations, in those areas of Australia not close to a main grid, to support the installation of renewable generation systems (where existing RRPGP sub-program are not available).
Rebates of up to 50% of the capital cost of renewable generation and essential enabling equipment are available to applicants that fully comply with the eligibility requirements and procedures outlined in the RM sub-program guidelines. Residential and Medium-scale sub-program guidelines and the application forms are available at the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website.
Renewable Energy Water Pumping Sub-Program
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program - Renewable Energy Water Pumping sub-program provides rebates for business, government and other incorporated organisations, to support the installation of renewable energy water pumping systems in those areas of Australia not close to a main-grid. The sub-program aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing reliance on diesel fuel for remote water pumping applications.
The Renewable Energy Water Pumping sub-program provides rebates for the renewable energy components of water pumps that displace diesel engine powered pumps in off-grid applications.
Sub-program guidelines and the application forms are available at the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website.
Applications in South Australia should be made to:
Remote Power Administrator
Energy Division
Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure
P.O. Box 1
WALKERVILLE SA 5081
Please download the Residential and Medium-Scale (RM) Sub-Program and Renewable Energy Water Pumping (REWP) Sub-Program guidelines and application forms from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website below.
Renewable Remote Power Generation Program: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/rrpgp/index.html
For more information please contact The Remote Power Administrator on (08) 8226 8891.
| Q | What RRPGP funding is available? |
| A | Funding is available under the Residential and Medium Scale (RM) sub-program and the Renewable Energy Water Pumping sub-program. Some limited funding is still available in the RAES-subsidised Public Generators Scheme. |
| Q | Does the scheme just cover photovoltaic systems? |
| A | No, the RRPGP covers all recognised and proven forms of renewable energy. For South Australia most of the systems will be solar photovoltaic, solar thermal or wind turbine. Other possible systems include geothermal, biomass conversion, hydro systems, and more. |
| Q | What level of funding is available? |
| A | The Residential and Medium Scale (RM) sub-program grants covers up to 50% of all capital costs directly associated with the installation of a renewable generator that replaces or augments a diesel generator. Rebates are capped at a maximum of $200,000. The Renewable Energy Water Pumping sub-program provides rebates to businesses, government and other incorporated organisations for renewable energy components of water pumps that displace diesel engine powered pumps in off-grid applications. Rebates are capped at $30,000. Please refer to program guidelines for further details. |
| Q | Are there any limitations on the equipment for grant eligibility? |
| A | At least 30% of total expenditure must be spent on the renewable generator(s) and essential enabling equipment, including the inverter (for example, if your system expenses total $40,000, then the cost of the renewable equipment must exceed $12,000). All major equipment must be new and not second-hand. |
| Q | Are there any limitations on the designer or installer for grant eligibility? |
| A | The RAPS system must be designed by a Clean Energy Council (formerly BCSE)-accredited RAPS designer, or someone who is eligible for professional membership of the Institution of Engineers, Australia and has experience in the design of remote area power systems. The installer must be a BCSE-accredited installer and all work carried out on voltages in excess of 115 VDC or 50 VAC must be carried out by a licensed electrical contractor. |
Australian Government
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Website 
Other States
Queensland - Environmental Protection Agency
Western Australia - Sustainable Energy Development Office
Northern Territory - Dept of Primary Industries, Fisheries and Mines
Tasmania - Dept of Infraestructure, Energy and Resources
NSW - Dept of Energy, Utilities and Sustainability
Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme