Government Funding Program
Important Information
On 8 March 2010 the energy efficiency and renewable energy functions of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts were transferred to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Contact details for the National Solar Schools Program remain the same until transitional arrangements are finalised. Please keep an eye on the website for updates.
The program will re-open to new claims early in the 2010-11 financial year so we encourage you to continue planning your project.
Government Funding Initiative
The Australian Federal Government provides grants of up to $50,000 (GST exclusive) to every Australian school to install solar and other renewable power systems, solar hot water systems, rainwater tanks and/or a range of other energy efficiency measures. The program operates from July 2008 until 30 June 2015. For further information about this program please visit http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/renewable/nationalsolarschools/
The Victorian Resource Smart Solar in Schools initiative rebate provides additional funding towards solar. Schools are eligible for rebates for solar PV systems between 2kW and 5kW systems in size. This is to encourage Victorian schools to maximise their impact on climate change. For further information about this program please refer to the website at www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au
How to register for the NSSP grant
To register you need to complete the online registration request on the NSSP website. Registrations can only be made by employees of the school. Once you have completed this form, you will receive an email to acknowledge your registration request. You will be provided with a Project ID which you must keep safe as you will need to quote it if you contact the NSSP for any reason.
Education institutions that are not eligible for a grant are kindergartens, early childhood centres, preschools, TAFE colleges and universities.
Eligibility and Funding
Schools installing a new solar power system with a minimum size of 2kW or who are installing a minimum 2kW extension to an existing system will be eligible for a grant of up to $50,000 (GST exclusive).
If no solar power system or a system of less than 2kW is installed, a grant of up to $30,000 (GST exclusive) is available to be spent on eligible items.
A multi-campus school that has a combined campus population of 1,000 or more full time, enrolled students is eligible for an additional NSSP grant. Combined primary and secondary schools are deemed to have multiple campuses even if they are co-located. The level of funding is determined by the installation of a 2kW solar power system.
A multi-campus with more than 1,000 students or more may choose the following:
• Two solar power systems of at least 2kW each, for which it is eligible for up to $100,000 (GST exclusive)
• One solar power system of at least 2kW, for which it is eligible for up to $80,000 (GST exclusive)
• No solar power system or a system of less than 2kW, for which it is eligible for up to $60,000 (GST exclusive)
Feed-in Tariff
Green Voucher
For schools that have claimed a grant under the Green Vouchers for Schools guidelines, a NSSP grant is available for up to $50,000 (GST exclusive) less the amount of Green Vouchers funding received. The remaining NSSP grant can be spent on any eligible items.
Plan your project
Once you have registered and received confirmation that your school is eligible for a NSSP grant and you know the maximum amount of funding for your school, you can begin planning your project.
Lodging your claim form
The grant is a one off payment and claims are to be made only by employees of the school. To access the claim form you need to go to the NSSP website and download this form from the “lodging your claim” area. [Is this a repetition of a section above? JS]
When completing your claim form you must show the GST inclusive amount and the amount of GST separately.
Project Completion
You are required to send in an installation report providing photographs of your completed project. You must account for your grant expenditure and keep proper accounting records for all project expenditure.
Please be aware that Nu Energy will assist and support you through this process to closure.
NEEC – curriculum
National Solar Schools Hotline: 1800 703 831.
Systems up to a maximum of 5kW systems to encourage Victorian schools to maximize their impact on climate change. For further information about this program please refer to the website at www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au.
How to register for the NSSP grant
To register you need to complete the online registration request on the NSSP website. Registrations are to be made only by employees of the school. Once you have completed this, you will receive an email to acknowledge your registration request. We will be provided with a Project ID which you must keep safe as you will need to quote it if you contact the NSSP for any reason.
Education institutions that are not eligible for a grant are kindergartens, early childhood centers, preschools, TAFE colleges and universities.
NSSP Guide lines
