Factsheets

Sunrise shines light on solar panel rebate restrictions

Jun 30 02:24pm

- Sunrise starts new petition to encourage government to offer solar rebate to ALL households

The Rudd government’s decision to limit who can access the solar panel rebate will prevent thousands of Australians from going solar.

With a full solar installation costing around $10,000 per house, a rebate of $8000 will still leave a bill of thousands for a household where the combined gross incomes cannot, under the planned restrictions, exceed $100,000.

We at Sunrise believe this is a mistake. We believe our nation needs stronger leadership on global warming and we are looking for other Australians to join us in having this rebate available to all.

A nail in the coffin

On Sunday, the federal government announced they will not review its decision to means test for the solar panel rebate after Treasurer Wayne Swan said, "There is a limit on the amount that the government can spend.

Sunrise acted in 2006 to reinstate the solar rebate when the Howard government was to remove it. Now, the Rudd government is seeking to limit the uptake of the rebate when those households earning over $100,000 are widely believed to be the most likely group to take up the rebate.

A single metre long solar panel costs $629 and a complete solar panel package for the average house costs around $10,000 fully installed.

The ACF feel similarly about the restrictions, stating the means test “is going to stop thousands of Australian families from installing solar panel on their roofs, and put a big dent in our emerging solar industry.”

The ACF is also encouraging members to send a letter to Mr Garrett, expressing disappointment that the Government has announced new restrictions on the solar panel rebate program “at a time when Australia should be ramping up its efforts to tackle climate change.”

The controversial move to limit the $8,000 solar panel rebate to households earning less than $100,000 a year has been referred to the Senate's environment committee.

The committee, examining the impact on jobs in the solar industry and on emissions reduction, is due to report by August 15.

More info

SIGN THE SOLAR REBATE PETITION NOW

Solar Panel Rebates - why we're starting a petition – by Sunrise Exec. Producer Adam Boland

Energy efficiency on a budget – Sunrise

World Environment Day – Yahoo!7

Yahoo!7 GREEN – Yahoo!7

Search Solar Panels on Yahoo!7’s Alpha – Yahoo!7

8 Comments Report Abuse

1. lauder_paul - Jun 30 07:06am

I was lucky enough to be selected for the Qld State Government Solar Homes Program but cancelled my application when Labor announced means testing of the rebate as I fell just outside the limit. I wonder if the Qld govt will reconsider the original applicants if Rudd backflips on this.

2. leticiamccartney - Jun 30 07:20am

To all those people that have added the comment to reduce/remove taxes on batteries and conversions to electric cars - let's leave the debate to solar panels, please. There is a wealth of information out there that electric or hybrid cars are just as damaging to the environment. Keep to solar panels

3. rotty5904 - Jun 30 12:28pm

its strange that in this day and age the only people that might have some disposable income and are willing to help the enviroment are the the ones that are being stopped from helping because of a means test, they should have some sort of sliding scale to help the ones who want to help

4. brian.halberg - Jun 30 11:04pm

We need to take this even further. There should be limits to the amount of water, electricity and other energy sources used by each household. Currently if someone has enough money, they can simply buy more, regardless of cost, and consume it. We need to be saying that there are limits...more....

5. brian.halberg - Jun 30 11:06pm

.....so if you go over your limit for water and want more then put in rain water tanks. If you've used your quota for electricity, put on solar panels. Have you used up your quota for natural gas, then install solar heating. we need to start setting limits to our consumption!

6. brian.halberg - Jun 30 11:18pm

leticiamccartney are you serious?!! How can a vehicle that is pure battery electric (not a hybrid) and derives its charging from the sun or wind be just as damaging to the environment as one which burns carbon long since locked away below ground?!!! Madness!!!

7. maddisonr1 - Jul 01 08:23am

People on that much money can surely afford to pay the full price on solar power. I am sure they did think twice about what they spend there money. I think the means test is fair.

8. laurieh@rocketmail.com - Jul 02 12:05pm

The price quoted for solar installation is only for a 1kW unit which will reduce your use by around 6 units/day. To have maximum impact we are installing a 3kW unit which will cost around $33k before the rebate. My wife is studying, so it will be difficult, but we want to make a difference.

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