Thursday 21 August 2008

Demand for solar hots up

Sunday Mail Brisbane
Sunday 3/8/2008 Page: 25

THE Federal Government has shed some sunlight on its controversial means-tested solar rebate, with new figures showing the program is proving popular. Environment Minister Peter Garrett said yesterday applications for the $8000 rebate had grown at a significant rate since the renewed scheme was announced in the May federal Budget. In response, the Opposition, which has relentlessly attacked the Government for means testing the rebate, accused Mr Garrett of planning to lift the rebate income level from $100,000 to $150,000 in a face saving exercise.

"We've seen record growth in the number of solar rebate applications lodged since the Government acted on budget night to better target the rebate to those earning less than $100,000," Mr Garrett said. "An average of 522 applications have been lodged weekly since the Budget, with 794 in one week alone." He said this rate of application was higher than in any single week before the Budget and was 150 applications a week more than the average in the four weeks before the Budget.

Opposition climate change spokesman Greg Hunt said he expected Mr Garrett to announce he would raise the income bar on the means test. "Some industry sources believe Mr Garrett will soon announce the Government will increase the means test on the solar panel rebate program from $100,000 to $150,000," Mr Hunt said. "(This will) not scrap the means test, simply tweak it. It still makes it harder for many people who want to install solar in their homes. It would still treat the rebate as welfare, not a positive incentive to boost the renewable sector."

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