Courier Mail
Wednesday 10/6/2009 Page: 4
A PREMATURE change to solar energy rules created havoc and confusion yesterday as customers were given just eight hours to complete and post their applications to claim an $8000 Government rebate. Customers thought they had until the end of the month to claim for solar panels but Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced in the morning they would have only until the end of the day.
Solar retailers reported a chaotic day as home owners scrambled to make the new deadline before a new policy came into force which would give customers less money back. Murry Craig, owner of Solar Centre at Darra, said: "It came right out of the blue. There had even been an indication that the old rebate scheme might be extended."
Stewart McAllister, 62, of Albany Creek, missed the deadline. "It sucks," he said. "I was hoping for solar electricity to cut my bill and reduce my carbon footprint." He said under the old rebates he would have been $3766 out of pocket but now he would have to find $9500. The old rebate, claimed by more than 80,000 people since December 2007, was open only to households earning under $100,000 per year and was not available to businesses.
The new system removes the means test, includes businesses and aims to boost solar energy sales by giving extra credits, known as renewable energy certificates, to offset upfront costs. Rupert Posner, director of not-for-profit organisation The Climate Group, said the problem with the old solar rebate scheme was that "it could not afford to be successful".
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