Government cancels solar rebate Takes industry by surprise New rebate has to pass parliament. HOUSEHOLDS wanting to lock in a generous rebate on solar panels by Government have just hours to do so. Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced applications for the $8000 rebate to be set by today. The abrupt end to the scheme has taken some in the solar industry by surprise.
Households who had installed solar panels on their top roofs will be able to apply for a new rebate announced by Government which will be part of the Renewable Energy Target scheme. But they can't do so until laws to set up the RET pass Parliament. The laws will be introduced to Parliament next week. The value of the new rebate will vary over time and according to area of resident
Based on current prices, homes in most cities would get $7750 for an average-sized system, whereas homes in less sunny cities like Melbourne and Hobart would get $6650.Mr Garrett said the new rebate was good news for holders because it was available to all homes and businesses.
The old rebate is only available to households earning less than $100,000. "Now is the time for the Government to provide a new kind of support to build this industry further,'' Mr Garrett said as he detailed the changes in Melbourne. But Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt accused Mr Garrett of "quietly guillotining'' the old rebate, which he said the industry expected would run until June 30.
"Peter Garrett today scrapped the $8000 solar panel rebate and caused solar chaos,'' Mr Hunt said.
"Overnight the minister has cancelled the $8000 solar rebate without argument with the industry and in breach of an express budget commitment less than a couple of weeks ago.'' Dane Muldoon, owner of The Solar Guys in Brisbane, announced the existing rebate had a deadline till June 30 and "everyone in the industry accept that".
Mr Muldoon said consumers were relying on having a few extra weeks to access the scheme and people were now caught short. "Nobody is aware about it till today. There was no consultation.
"The phones have been ringing off the hook and there are lots of pissed off people." He said removing the means test was a good thing but was uncertain it would counter the lower rebates under the new scheme.
Solar Panels Adelaide
Households who had installed solar panels on their top roofs will be able to apply for a new rebate announced by Government which will be part of the Renewable Energy Target scheme. But they can't do so until laws to set up the RET pass Parliament. The laws will be introduced to Parliament next week. The value of the new rebate will vary over time and according to area of resident
Based on current prices, homes in most cities would get $7750 for an average-sized system, whereas homes in less sunny cities like Melbourne and Hobart would get $6650.Mr Garrett said the new rebate was good news for holders because it was available to all homes and businesses.
The old rebate is only available to households earning less than $100,000. "Now is the time for the Government to provide a new kind of support to build this industry further,'' Mr Garrett said as he detailed the changes in Melbourne. But Opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt accused Mr Garrett of "quietly guillotining'' the old rebate, which he said the industry expected would run until June 30.
"Peter Garrett today scrapped the $8000 solar panel rebate and caused solar chaos,'' Mr Hunt said.
"Overnight the minister has cancelled the $8000 solar rebate without argument with the industry and in breach of an express budget commitment less than a couple of weeks ago.'' Dane Muldoon, owner of The Solar Guys in Brisbane, announced the existing rebate had a deadline till June 30 and "everyone in the industry accept that".
Mr Muldoon said consumers were relying on having a few extra weeks to access the scheme and people were now caught short. "Nobody is aware about it till today. There was no consultation.
"The phones have been ringing off the hook and there are lots of pissed off people." He said removing the means test was a good thing but was uncertain it would counter the lower rebates under the new scheme.
Solar Panels Adelaide
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