Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Dec 17, 2008 12:37 pm http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24813448-29277,00.html
Solar panel means test to be scrapped December 17, 2008 01:06pm MORE households will qualify for up to $7500 to install solar panels under changes to a Federal Government rebate. The Government announced it would scrap an unpopular means test, which restricted the rebate to households earning less than $100,000. The means-tested rebate was worth up to $8000. Under the new system, to come into force in July next year, the rebate will be smaller but everyone - households, businesses and community groups - can access it, regardless of income. The maximum rebate, for an average-sized 1.5 kilowatt system, will be about $7500. A smaller-sized 1.0 kilowatt system will attract a rebate of about $5000. The value of the rebate will fluctuate and it will decline from 2012. The Government came under attack from environmentalists, some solar industry chiefs and the Federal Opposition for introducing the means test in this year's budget. It was seen as discouraging some people from going green, and a step backwards for the solar industry. Environment Minister Peter Garrett, in announcing the changes, said peopl loved solar power. "Australians want to do their bit to take action on climate change," he said. "This (new system) will provide more Australian households with the opportunity to go solar, and the industry with a strong footing for long-term growth." The current system will stay in place until July, when the new system will take over. Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 2Dec 17, 2008 12:43 pm Yay! Might make a 2kw system a little more affordable and something on our purchase list After 4 years - we're in! Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 4Dec 17, 2008 12:59 pm mikkyG ... Under the new system, to come into force in July next year, ..... Hmmm, my building contract already included solar, if my handover is in july, will I be still eligible? Interested to find out the details... Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 6Dec 17, 2008 1:02 pm Such a good news... great Blog - http://clageonewhouse.blogspot.com/ Building Thread - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=10886&hilit=milan I am in, with my husband and my beautiful bunny Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 7Dec 17, 2008 1:06 pm stonecutter1309 Yay! Might make a 2kw system a little more affordable and something on our purchase list Ditto! Rant ---> Slightly OT, why are so many of these means test 'all or nothing'? Because I have had a go and work at night packing shelves for extra money my family has been penalised by :-
missed out on the recent handout - I know the Family Tax Benefits are on a sliding scale but the hand-out wasn't and, of course, up until todays decision we were going to miss out on the solar grant as well while others on only slightly smaller incomes were getting the full $8,000 End of Rant 'We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.' - Winston Churchill Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 8Dec 17, 2008 1:33 pm I hear that rant! Baby bonus is the one that irks me - why should those of us who are productive in society miss out on the same incentive those on welfare/dole get for having a baby
(Sorry to go OT!) After 4 years - we're in! Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 9Dec 17, 2008 1:53 pm Good to see them finally come around to common sense and go back to the original policy of the previous government. A bit late though for all the workers in the solar panel industry who lost their jobs because this ridiculous means test saw sales grind to a halt.
Funny how they call it a new system and sing its praises. Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 11Dec 17, 2008 2:00 pm eho mikkyG ... Under the new system, to come into force in July next year, ..... Hmmm, my building contract already included solar, if my handover is in july, will I be still eligible? Interested to find out the details... Just delay your builder... wait a minute, from stories in the forum, there's no need do that, it happens automaitcally Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 12Dec 17, 2008 2:03 pm Casa2 eho mikkyG ... Under the new system, to come into force in July next year, ..... Hmmm, my building contract already included solar, if my handover is in july, will I be still eligible? Interested to find out the details... Just delay your builder... wait a minute, from stories in the forum, there's no need do that, it happens automaitcally I want to cry.... Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 13Dec 17, 2008 9:29 pm stonecutter1309 I hear that rant! Baby bonus is the one that irks me - why should those of us who are productive in society miss out on the same incentive those on welfare/dole get for having a baby (Sorry to go OT!) The one thing we've discovered about the baby bonus that we didn't know is that it's based on your income six months after the baby is born. So for us, where my wife earns twice as much as I do, our income will be reduced by 2/3 when she takes time off work to have a baby. Then we'll qualify for the baby bonus. Plus we'll (according to our financial advisor) qualify for Family Tax Benefit parts A and B. Not sure how (both of us are gainfully employed in well-paying work), but we'll take whatever we can legitimately get from the government to make the transition to a single income easier. --Mike Everything I know, I learned from SBS. LATEST: Frame Complete http://metricon-mercer.livejournal.com Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 14Dec 18, 2008 6:00 am We built with H3nle* the house came with solar panel, moved in 4 months ago can we still apply for rebate next July(when the new policy income over 100k is abolished)?? Also whats the best way to know if the solar panel works? (for hot water). thanks. Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 15Dec 18, 2008 7:48 am borg eho, is that solar hot water, or solar electricity???? I have solar hot water. I am trying to find out if the new system is for solar panel only or is applicable to HW too. I can't find any confirmation. But I am highly suspicious it is for panel only. That would be a shame. Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 16Dec 18, 2008 8:03 am yep - new rebates are for PV electricity only (not HWS) After 4 years - we're in! Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 17Dec 18, 2008 8:24 am I think this is stupid. Why discriminate solar HWS? Isn't the purpose to encourage green energy?? I believe there are far more people with solar HWS than just solar electricity. Hmm...maybe that's why.....its gonna cost more to include HWS too. Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 18Dec 18, 2008 8:28 am There are already rebates for people replacing an existing electricity HWS with Solar.
It's the same situation with water tanks - - Existing house - get a tank - rebate available - New house - get a tank - no rebate and required as part of BASIX The world is unjust and unfair - but like I tell my students - you just have to get over it and be thankful that you can afford to put solar HWS on your roof. After 4 years - we're in! Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 19Dec 18, 2008 8:36 am You are right. i was a bit overreacting. Thank you for steering me back onto the righteous path
I was actually thinking putting more solar panels for electricity when I did my plan. But it was very expensive so I scrapped that idea before I research more into it. Maybe I will pick up that idea again further in the future. Building Clarendon Brighton - Done and moved in Sept 2009 Re: Solar panel means test to be scrapped 20Dec 18, 2008 8:59 am eho - it will be come cheaper again once the govt moves to gross feed in tarrifs rather than net (you'll make back the money you spent on panels in about 6 yrs rather than 20!) After 4 years - we're in! We were lucky in that our old house was so small (86 square metres) compared to the new house, they were able to take enough readings around the old backyard house before… 8 37160 Three options 1 Ask the liquidator 2 Find another PD customer and ask the source of their report 3 Pay for new report 3 12345 Hi Building Expert, Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated, there is also a code of conduct for building surveyors which they need to follow as well. I am looking… 4 3680 |