Today, our Federal Minister for Climate Change (Penny Wong) and Minister for the Environment (Peter Garrett) announced that the Solar Homes and Communities Plan would end at midnight tonight.
Yes folks, the deadline was supposed to be 30 June, but in their wisdom they decided to give the solar industry only 8 hours notice that the solar rebate of $8,000 was ending earlier than previously announced. Maybe they should give the coal industry 8 hours to stop burning coal. That would only be only fair, wouldn’t it. The Solar industry must be up in arms given this remarkably stupid decision. I feel really sorry for them in these uncertain times.
So, anyone who has just ordered a very cheap system, you better have your paperwork for the rebate sent to the relevant authority in 4 hours or you will miss out. Maybe you will just have to wait for the new scheme (also a farce), but it is not available due to the Renewable Energy Target Scheme not yet passed through the Parliament, you haven’t got a snowballs chance in hell to get a subsidised system. Sure, the new scheme is not means tested, but there is less incentive in less sunny places in this country. The scheme is based on how many ‘peak sunlight hours’ your system will receive.
This decision just shows that the government is not serious about fighting climate change. The CPRS is window dressing so PM Rudd looks good on the world stage. What a bunch of frauds!
Mr Garrett, you should be ashamed to sell out to the coal industry, because from where I am standing, that is exactly what it looks like! With people like you in charge of environmental policy, it make me want to run for the Greens! I might even get a few votes. It is a pity that I would have to compete with the lovely Ms Gillard, who represents my electorate! Not a chance, in this, the heart of Labor voters.
I thought that was absolutely abysmal, cutting it off with practically no notice like that. One wonders if Penny Wong has misread the title of her portfolio and thinks she is supposed to be working FOR climate change, rather than AGAINST it?
We have a local bulk-purchase scheme in progress, and quite a few people had yet to send in their rebate forms. Now they’re up a river without a paddle.
I’m grateful I got in a while ago, but I feel sorry for all the well-meaning people that are going to miss out.
Let’s just hope they don’t completely sell us out on the pending NSW solar feed-in tariff.
Hey Darren, if your state government is anything like our coal loving one, your feed-in tariff is toast!
Gav
I just wish, the innovation with solar would be done in my place.
Regards,
Solar Enthusiastic Poem
Ouch, I was just talking to a friend who had been having hassles with her supplier, trying to get them to quote on the right thing. Every time they sent her a quote they stuffed something up. She got the final, correct, quote the day the rebate was shut off, and so they’ve missed out. She’s not a happy camper.
I was discussing this with my co-worker, and he and his wife were going to put this in, now they cannot afford it, and with the new scheme, it really isn’t worth it.
We are building a new home next year, and will be putting in solar power because we want to and I doubt we will get any rebates the way the gvt is going.
Hi Gav,
Got to say I love your new ‘look and feel’ of your blog. Sorry I haven’t been around much but I have been reading your posts by email.