Seeing red at green rebates

Port Macquarie News
Friday 23/5/2008 Page: 8

ELECTRICIAN Jamie Harrison fears means testing the solar panel rebate scheme will put the environmentally friendly energy option out of reach for some people. In a federal budget move criticised by environmentalists and the solar industry, only households earning less than $100,000 qualify for the $8000 rebate on solar panels. A Port News article on Wednesday incorrectly said solar power rebates had been removed. The rebates are means tested.

Meanwhile, Mr Harrison, Harelec's business manager, expects to achieve accreditation in July as a solar panel installer at the completion of a Global Sustainable Energy Solutions course and three-day practical exam. He then will be eligible to fill out rebate paperwork verifying the work was done by a qualified installer. The accreditation was a logical progression from the company's use of energy efficient lights, Mr Harrison said.

The Port Macquarie electrician is concerned the rebate means test will limit the number of people who can afford solar panels. But he still feels there is a market for the work. "The people that can afford it tend to earn the high amount of money," Mr Harrison said. "I thought it was about reducing the reliance of carbon-based energy and doing the right thing for the environment." It costs about $11,000 to install solar panels in the average house.

Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett has declared the means test on solar panels is here to stay as pressure mounts for a post-budget backdown. Mr Garrett played down concerns from some sections of the solar industry that the means test would ruin businesses and force job losses.