Solar for rentals trial Queensland

Renters and landlords get up to $3,500 solar rebate under a limited 1,000 package trial by the Queensland Government.

For those lucky enough to qualify for this trial, we have assessed the full details of this offer and have put together a quick reference guide for landlords, tenants and rental agents.  GI Energy has been following the rental solar issue for some time now and have included information that is not available on the QLD Government website.

In addition to the information provided, GI Energy has developed a high level of support services to rental agents, landlords and tenants to negotiate a fair agreement and execute a simple installation process.

If you do not qualify for this round of the trial, we will be inviting you to register for updates on future offers.  We understand that being left out can be frustrating, so we will be keeping a list of tenants, landlords and agents who would like to know when other offers arise.

Details of the trial

On the 6th of March, 2019, the Queensland Government released 1,000 solar for rental packages. Closing date for applications are set for 30th June, 2020 however the popularity of other recent Queensland Government trials saw launch limits of 1,500 solar+battery packages sold out in 4-6 weeks.

Applicants are required to install a solar system and then apply for the rebate before June 30, 2020.  A pre-qualification process will help you

Who is eligible for this trial?

Participating landlords must have their tenants’ consent to participate and meet the eligibility requirements.

Property and lease requirements:

• located in the Gladstone, Bundaberg or Townsville local government areas
• detached or semi-detached with its own roof space and electricity meter
• currently tenanted with a rent (before solar) of no more than $350 per week

Any current rental agreement must be mutually cancelled and renewed by a minimum 12 month rental agreement that includes a fair rent increase.

A fair rent increase agreement is the key element to the success of this trial for landlords and tenants.  There are clear and strong benefits for both landlord and tenant that will be covered in more detail below.

There are specific terms and conditions templates provided by the QLD Government (see our rental agent article).

GI Energy will also be assisting applicants and agents in the negotiation of a fair rent increase by providing tenant savings estimates based on current tenant energy bills, and by providing the landlord with a sound understanding of the investment benefits of this trial in the quoting process.

Solar and monitoring requirements:

• Solar systems must be new and cannot be upgrading, replacing an existing solar system
• Solar systems must be a minimum of 3kW
• Installation must be performed by an approved solar supplier (GI Energy is an approved supplier)
• Solar systems must be fitted with solar monitoring technology that enables the tenant to access:
  • Energy production of the installed solar system
  • Energy consumption of the property
  • Solar power exported to the grid
  • Estimated or calculated savings from solar

It is important to note that GI Energy provides ongoing tech support to the landlords, tenants and agents.   This includes app setup, savings configuration settings and joint monitoring access for problem diagnosis/resolution and maintenance guidance.  Whilst the landlord is the owner of the system, GI Energy will engage the tenant with the same level of support and guidance as a solar owner.  This support will minimise the workload for agents and landlords and provide an opportunity for maximum savings for the tenant.

Rebates offered to eligible applicants:

• 3kW solar systems – $2,500
• 4kW solar systems – $3,000
• 5kW+ solar systems – $3,500

How to participate in this trial

The best way to proceed with this trial is to start by assessing the opportunity and the benefits you can achieve.  These articles will help you discover what this trail means for you.  They include calculators and advice to assess the financial benefits of this trial.

1. Landlords – a winning solar investment strategy
2. Tenants – benefits of shared solar
3. Rental agents – agency advantages of rental solar

If both tenant and landlord would like to proceed;

• The landlord should obtain a quote for the solar system from an approved supplier.  GI Energy is an approved supplier and can provide a quote
• The tenant can request a savings estimate from GI Energy to provide potential savings estimates (recommended)
• Negotiation and agreement of a fair rental increase needs to occur – see our article on calculating the benefits to start negotiations
• The tenant will need to complete a consent form
• The landlord should satisfy themselves with an eligibility check and trial registration
• Arrange the installation and payment of the solar system and monitoring solution
• Any existing rental property agreement needs to be cancelled and a new 12 month rental agreement with the fair rental increase terms added
• The landlord should apply for the grant by submitting the following documentation
  • tenant consent form
  • new lease
  • recent rates notice
  • solar system invoice
  • proof of payment

Whilst there are a few steps to get everything in place, we believe this process is fairly straight forward.  With agreement from all parties and support from GI Energy and the Queensland Government, you’ll find applying for this trial very rewarding and well worth the time spent setting it up.  The benefits of free solar energy are being enjoyed by over 2 million Australian properties.

This trial is a fantastic opportunity to share solar savings between landlord and tenant.  It will also help the Queensland Government work towards lower energy bills for all renters in the future.

What if my landlord or tenant does not know about this trial?

This trial provides a unique financial opportunity for everyone involved. Communicating the benefits to another party can be very difficult and potentially frustrating if you are keen to move forward.  We have created a simple form that will respectfully communicate your interest to your landlord or tenant.

By submitting this form to your rental agent, they can pass it on to the other party involved.  The form is designed to direct your tenant or landlord to our articles so they can discover the benefits of this trial for themselves.  The form also provides a feedback option for your landlord or tenant to communicate a response (yes, no, more info/time needed etc).

[Please note – due to the sudden release of this trial these forms are not yet available – we aim to have them available soon]

What if I don’t qualify?

We understand the disappointment of not qualifying for Government rebates.  There are several Government departments trailing solar schemes for rental and Government housing around Australia.  The purpose of a trial is to test the ongoing viability of a rebate scheme.  Once a successful trial has been completed, it’s likely that a widely available scheme will be released.

GI Energy is committed to quick and effective communication of new solar rebates for everyone.  If you would  like to fill in the form below, we can keep your details on record and let you know about future QLD Government solar incentives that may help you.

Register your interest

Fill in the form below and we’ll provide the assistance you need.

• If you do have agreement with your landlord or tenant, we’ll be in contact to help you through this process soon.
• If you think you might qualify, but don’t have agreement with your landlord or tenant, we will help you navigate your way to a possible solution via email updates.
• If you don’t qualify, we will register your interest in future solar rebate schemes.

With all registrations, GI Energy respects your privacy and will manage your contact information responsibly.

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