Yarra Ranges Journal
Tuesday 27/5/2008 Page: 4
SEVERAL people have already withdrawn from a Dandenong Ranges solar panel project after the Federal Government announced an income cut-off for the rebate. The Federal Government's $8000 solar power rebate will be available to households earning less than $100,000 a year. Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association president Peter Cook said the income cut-off would affect the DRREA's project to install solar panels in 150 households in three Yarra Ranges neighbourhoods.
"It's already meant several people have had to withdraw from the project. "We could have done three neighbourhoods; now we might be lucky to do two." Mr Cook said it was a big setback for renewable energy. "It's a disaster for the solar industry. "Most people who can afford to install the solar panels would have to have an income of more than $100,000 [and] now they won't be able to do it.
"People who wanted to do the right thing by the community and the environment won't be able to. If the Government wants to get its credibility back, it needs to increase the means test to $150,000 to stop copping flak from people like me." In media reports last week, Environment Minister Peter Garrett said the Government believed in solar power and wanted to see its use grow.
"We've got programs now, including this solar rebate program, which will ensure that there is enough demand in the Australian community in the long-term to get solar panels on the roof, to get solar hot water systems in houses and to make sure that we can continue to build a sustainable solar industry into the long-term." Mr Garrett rejected suggestions the decision to means test the solar panel rebate would destroy the industry.
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