Solar for Apartments information for retailers

Retailers must seek approval from the applicant’s Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) to connect and export self-generated solar to the grid. The process and technical details for grid connection vary depending on the DNSP.

You must also advise the applicant of any export constraints. This needs to happen before you submit the quote through the portal.

Nominated authorised retailers will be contacted to upload a quote in the portal. Information you must provide at this step includes:

• the final solar PV system design (including the eligible products to be installed and the system’s capacity and expected energy generation)
• the total costs for supply and installation of the solar panel (PV) system
• the value of small-scale technology certificates (STCs) applied to the project
• the location on the building where the solar panel (PV) system will be installed
• the final number of participating lots
• any relevant connection details
• the annualised return on investment/payback period for the total purchase and installation in accordance with the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC)
• quote expiry date (please allow sufficient time for the OC to approve the quote when you set the quote expiry date).

Payback period assessment – how to prepare it

To be eligible, a demonstrated payback period within 10 years for the cost of the solar panel (PV) system and installation is required. This must be calculated at the apartment level and stated on the final quote. You must:

• base the payback period assessment on the total cost for supply and installation of the system after any small-scale technology certificates (STCs) have been applied and prior to application of the program funding
• prepare it in line with the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) requirements. Go to the NETCC website for more information.

You will be asked in the portal to provide information about how you prepared the payback period assessment. This includes stating the solar energy self-consumption rate used for the system performance estimate.

We will email the applicant with the quote details. The applicant’s owners corporation will need to approve the quote, or ask for any changes.

When the quote is uploaded, we will allocate funding towards the installation. The applicant then has 70 days to approve the quote by completing an OC Quote Approval Form (mandatory) which we email to them.

If the quote is not approved within this timeframe the rebate funding allocation will be cancelled.

If the quote expiry date is set earlier than the 70-day rebate expiry date, the retailer must update/cancel the quote. The applicant will then be prompted to approve the new quote.

We will assess the application and notify the applicant and retailer of the outcome. The installation must be completed within 120 days of the funding being approved.

At least 24 hours before the installation, the retailer must enter this information in the retailer portal:

• the installation location
• the installation date
• certifications of the installer involved.

We may take compliance action if this information is not provided. Information on how to provide this information is in the user guide.

Once the installation is complete, the retailer needs to submit a payment request and upload compliance documentation with the final invoice.

For direct connected and solar sharing systems you must provide:

• 1 STC Assignment form for the building/whole system – the OC must sign the STC Assignment form as the system owner
• 1 COES per residential lot

Both technology types require an itemised invoice.

For guidance on STC Assignment forms, go to the Clean Energy Regulator website. For guidance on COES, go to the Energy Safe Victoria website.

We will then pay the retailer, and the OC will pay any outstanding balance to the retailer.

Grants are provided to OCs once milestones are met.

Milestone 1

The first payment is made to the OC after an invoice from the retailer to the applicant that the eligible system has been ordered.

It must include:

• the costs for the eligible system;
• and any deposits/payments made towards installation for the project.

Example of milestone 1 invoice

Milestone 2

The second and final payment is made to the OC when evidence of installation is provided.

To support this, the retailer should provide an invoice detailing a summary of the activity undertaken the following to the OC.

Example of milestone 2 invoice

• One STC Assignment form for the building/whole of system (applies to direct connected and solar sharing systems) – the OC must sign the STC Assignment form as the system owner.
• A Certificate of Electrical Safety for the supply and installation of the Solar System for each participating apartment lot.

Retailers must provide us with an installation schedule for compliance and audit purposes. This is required by the Retailer Terms and Conditions.

After the customer signs the funding agreement, retailers will receive an email from us with an online form requesting:

• the installation location
• the installation date and time
• certifications of the retailers and installers involved.

We may take compliance action if you fail to provide the information requested.