Victoria government changes to rooftop solar rebate 2019

Victoria government hints at changes to rooftop solar rebate

Signs have been shown by The Victorian government  of meeting at least one of the demands of the solar industry, as calls for urgent changes intensifies to the state’s rooftop Photovoltaics rebate.

With plans coming for a“bigger” second public protest on Thursday,  against the Solar Homes scheme reports showed on Tuesday that Daniel Andrews the Victorian Premier had hinted at a possible amendment to its design.

Industry opposition to the policy – which offers a $2,225 discount on rooftop solar panels for households with an income of less than $180,000 a year, after the second month’s allocation of 3,333 rebates was completely exhausted in under two hours- it has reached fever pitch.

Solar retailers and installers  say that stop-start effect of the capped monthly offer is ruining their business of solar panels in the state – a claim is now being demonstrated in the latest installation data from the Clean Energy council Regulator.

The Smart Energy Council has stage a second public rally  on Thursday – this time they are supposed to target the Premier’s office –The purpose is to to again call for urgent changes to the design of the rebate.

The Premier is considering if he will be able to fix this terrible mess in solar in Victoria. join the rally tomorrow to save solar jobs in the region.

it will also be included in the demand to remove any red tape involved in applying for the solar rebate – and to at least divide the dollar amount into two halfs of the rebate – an overly  glitchy and complex  online application process and/or double the number available.

The body appointed to oversee the scheme, The state Labor government and Solar Victoria, have so far stood firm on its design, arguing that the scheme was achieving its primary goal of helping more Victorian households afford to install solar.

But with more and more stories emerging of solar businesses doing it tough and another public protest in the works   Andrews seems to be considering making concessions.

He said that he is happy to look at expanding the number of installations each month but he will only do that if he can be completely confident on observing high quality . The AAP reported on Tuesday.

“There’s a delicate balance to be struck here.”