No Off Grid Rebates? Any Other Disgruntleds?

The Age’s Paying the price of going solar spells out some problems. Linda, a western Victorian reader, has also alerted us to the problem of doing the right thing but being ineligible for any of the Green Loans available if you’re not connected to the grid.

Linda and her partner ‘have done everything green since they bought their property 13 years ago’, but now she’s fairly certain they are ineligible for any of the Green Loans available. Linda is interested in others’ comments and experiences, as, in her words ‘It sucks!’

Paying The Price Of Going Solar In Smiths Gully, NE Melbourne

Cameron Heap says:

“When our family made the move to solar energy four years ago, we didn’t realise we would suffer at the hands of the banks for this decision.

We built our home on an eight-hectare property in Melbourne’s north-east. We had to spend either about $50,000 to connect to the electricity grid or the same amount on a stand-alone solar power system. We decided to be fully independent and install solar power, solar hot water, grey water recycling, water tanks and composting toilets.

We have been trying to refinance our mortgage since the February fires to better prepare our home for this fire season. Fortunately, the fires stopped just short of our home but we need to make a few improvements as we may not be as lucky next time.

We have an above-average family income and a perfect repayment history; we have now been advised that we meet all the criteria for a loan except one – our home is not connected to the grid. Our property is in their words unsaleable and has no value as security. Until these attitudes change, Australians will never make the changes needed to save our planet.”

Off Grid Rebates Info

Energy Matters reporting on ‘Remote Solar Power Rebates’ says:

Please note: The Australian Government announced on June 22, 2009 the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) is closed to new applications except in Western Australia. Off grid installations in other states are covered by the new Solar Credits scheme, offering up to $7,500 in rebates.

Energy Matters also states that with the Australian Solar Credits Program you can get a ‘huge discount’ on a solar energy and wind power systems thanks to the Australian government’s new solar panel credits program subsidy.

Solar Credits In Australia

This new program applies to off grid and grid connect wind and solar power installations only – solar hot water rebates rebates operate under completely different schemes. Click here and scroll down for Solar Credits FAQs.

If you didn’t qualify for the $8,000 SHCP rebate scheme or missed the deadline for SHCP or RRPGP, you could qualify for the Solar Credits Program. Energy Matters offers a Solar Credits Maximiser deal and they have an online quoting tool.

It seems the Solar Credits scheme is part of the Renewable Energy Target bill, legislation that was passed on August 20, 2009. This means that if you were to install a system now, you are now able to receive the rebate…

BUT

what about people like Linda who have been doing the right thing for 13 years?

For More Info Contact Energy Matters

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Please get in touch if you can contribute to this discussion…