Solar

Australia enjoys abundant sunlight. By using solar or photovoltaic (PV) cells we can capture this sunlight and turn it into solar energy without emitting any harmful substances into the environment.

Solar energy is the radiant energy of the sun, which can be converted into other forms of energy, such as heat or electricity. There are two main types of solar electricity generation: PV cells and solar thermal plants.

Solar thermal electricity generation
Solar thermal generation systems collect solar energy as heat to raise steam for use in an otherwise conventional thermal electricity generating plant (steam turbine).

Photovoltaic (PV) cell electricity generation
Solar PV technology collects and converts solar radiation directly into electricity. This is the more advanced and reliable technology, but also the most expensive of the two technologies. Learn more about photovoltaic systems.

In the ACT region, solar energy systems are also commonly used for heating water and swimming pools. Learn more

Grid-connected solar energy systems

If you are interested in installing a small, grid-connected solar generator to your home or office there are important guidelines you must follow when planning to connect to the electricity network. Make sure you understand these requirements before committing to the purchase of a solar system by reading our information on connecting green energy systems.

If are an ActewAGL electricity customer living in NSW with an annual electricity consumption of up to 160 megawatt hours (MWh), and you are planning to install a grid-connected solar generator, you may be eligible to participate in the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme.

If you live in the ACT and wish to install a grid-connected generator you may eligible for the ACT feed-in tariff.

If you do not receive the ACT feed-in-tariff you may still be eligible to receive payment for the renewable energy that you generate through our Solar Buyback scheme.

The Solar Credits program is a federal government incentive scheme available to those with domestic grid-connected solar systems. This program works on the exchange of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).

Whether or not you decide to install a solar generator, why not opt for ActewAGL's green energy program, Greenchoice for your electricity account? By paying only a small additional amount on your electricity bill each day, we will purchase energy on your behalf from renewable energy sources like mini hydro, wind power and biomass power plants.