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19th February 2010

Changes to Federal Government Solar Hot Water Rebate

The Federal Government announced today that a new household Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme will assist households to save money on power bills and reduce their carbon emission.

This new Scheme will replace the Home Insulation Program and the Solar Hot Water Rebate Program both of which are discontinued as of close of business today 19 February 2010.

From 20 February 2010, the rebate on solar hot water systems is reduced from $1,600 to $1,000 and the rebate on heat pump systems is reduced from $1,000 to $600.

Transitional arrangements have been put in place for people who paid for or ordered their hot water systems prior to 20 February 2010.

Eligible solar or heat pump hot water systems purchased or installed prior to 20 February 2010 may be eligible for a $1,600 rebate for solar hot water or $1,000 for heat pumps, if proof of purchase or installation prior to 20 February 2010 is included with the application.

For further information contact:

• Solar Depot - (08) 8382 7555
• Dept of Envionment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Solar Hot Water Rebate Line - 1800 808 571
• Dept of Envionment, Water, Heritage and the Arts Website: http://www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/solarhotwater/index.html
• To view the media release; please visit http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/garrett/2010/mr20100219.html

19th February 2010

Solar panel checklist

As debate continues over the safety of solar panels, Solar Depot (BCSE approved installation firm) has issued a nine point checklist to help anyone who is considering installing a solar panel system.

The respected Lonsdale supplier, established more than seven years ago, advises potential solar customers to always:

• Visit www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/accreditation/approvedproducts for an up to date list of approved solar panels and inverters
• Ensure the hired contractor is a Clean Energy Council supplier and installer and are a licensed electrical contractor in South Australia. For a list of approved solar installers visit http://www.bcse.org.au/cec/accreditation/findaninstaller
• Check that the panel frames for installation are rigid and made of non-corrosive materials, such as aluminum and stainless steel
• Ensure that the installation firm has approval from ETSA Utilities to connect the system to the Grid. An application (FORM A) for the property must also be raised for the Electricity Retailer to install a feed-in enabled electricity meter. This is an electronic meter with a screen that displays 009
• Check that the installation is neatly installed.
• Ensure the contractor demonstrates and explains how to operate the system and that you are confident with the procedure
• Ensure you are aware of and comfortable with the warranty conditions of the system.
• Ensure you have and check the contact details for the installation firm
• Shop around and request customer references

Solar Depot Managing Director Troy Ryan said: "Installing a solar power system is a commitment. It is essential to feel comfortable and safe with your contractor and to fully understand the installation process.

"Questions should be asked and customers should be satisfied with the answers given. Doubts should not be ignored. A registered installation expert, such as Solar Depot, should be happy to discuss any of your concerns without expecting a commitment."

Solar Depot installs solar hot water, grid connect and solar pumps.

17^TH February 2010

SUNGRID RESPONSE TO ABC'S LATELINE STORY: DODGY SOLAR PANELS SPARK FIRE CONCERNS

Video clip: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/

Transcript: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2010/s2822913.htm

SUNGRID KEY MESSAGES:

1. Sungrid is an Australian manufacturer and distributer of solar panels.

2. All Sungrid products are listed on the CEC website and meet or exceed the relevant Australian   standards, as set in mid 2009.

3. Sungrid is committed to excellence and employs a rigorous quality control regime to produce world class, high performance solar modules underpinned by industry leading warranties on quality, performance and power output.

4. Sungrid's 'product warranty' is second to none in the industry with a ten year parts and workmanship warranty on all its solar panels.

5. Sungrid's confidence in its product excellence is proven by the fact that the performance of its products is independently verified by the Research Institute for Sustainable Energy (RISE) at Murdoch University in Western Australia.

6. Sungrid wholly supports a ban on the import of uncertified solar panels (over 25W) and supports the review of installations to ensure that these have been carried out by appropriately qualified installers following the CEC guidelines for installations.

AuSES Vice President Simon Troman commenting on ABC TV today (18^th February) that:

• Installations were done to Australian Standards - and those standards were world leading.
• New installers were targeted for inspection at a higher rate than other installers.
• If installers were installing panels not to this standard, and certifying them as such, they were in effect committing fraud.
• The electrical industryhad a shortage of AC electrical installation inspectors (and those inspectors often did not have DC inspection certification), and this was not a problem faced only by the PV sector, but by the electrical industry as a whole.
• The program has been enormously successful.

Solar Credits Scheme

The Solar Credits Scheme replaces the old residential $8,000 rebate.  Refer to our "Rebate Update" page for full details.