The Environment
The below is from the Governments Department of Climate Change Office in its unaltered form:
Renewable Energy Target
The RET expands on the previous Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET), which began in 2001.
Enhancements to the Renewable Energy Target
In June 2010, the Parliament passed legislation to separate the RET into two parts, which commenced on 1 January 2011 – the Large‑scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) and the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). The changes provide greater certainty for households, large-scale renewable energy projects and installers of small-scale renewable energy systems. Further details on the RET arrangements are available in the fact sheet and from the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator
Combined, the new LRET and SRES are expected to deliver more renewable energy than the previous 45,000 gigawatt-hour target in 2020.
The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency commissioned McLennan Magasanik Associates to produce a report on the Impacts of Changes to the Design of the Expanded Renewable Energy Target (PDF 437 KB).
Solar Credits
Solar Credits provide additional support to households, businesses and community groups that install small renewable energy generation units, such as rooftop solar panels, and small scale wind and hydro electricity systems.
On 5 May 2011, the Government announced changes to the Solar Credits multiplier which will apply from 1 July 2011. Solar Credits fact sheet.
Support for households installing renewable energy systems
The SRES has been designed to assist households, small business and community groups with installation of eligible renewable energy systems. The Solar Credits mechanism, in the SRES provides additional support for small generation units such as solar panels. Further details are available in the Support for small-scale renewable energy systems fact sheet.
Guide to installing solar panels
There are a few simple steps consumers should take before deciding to have a solar panel installed. These include: researching suitability of panels; understanding the installation contract; and getting a Clean Energy Council accredited installer to design a system to meet a consumer’s particular circumstances.
Helpful information is available in the 
For a more detailed guide that covers issues related to solar PV installations, please see the Clean Energy Council website
Partial Exemption for Emissions-Intensive Trade-Exposed Activities
In recognition that the RET scheme will increase costs to firms that carry on emissions-intensive trade-exposed (EITE) activities, the RET legislation includes provisions to provide partial exemptions from RET liability in respect of acquisitions of electricity used in carrying on EITE activities. These partial exemptions will be provided for all activities that qualify for assistance under the EITE assistance program as it was set out under the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).
The Department has released an Explanatory Paper which details the assessments of eligible EITE activities that have been made under the program to date.
Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator
The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator oversees the implementation of the RET scheme. The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency handles policy issues on the legislation.
For more information about the RET, including factsheets, registration and accreditation forms, please visit the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator
Other support for renewables
The government has a range of rebates available to householders wishing to make their homes greener.
There are also grants and funding for businesses and communities.
