September 8th 2010
Eskom has adopted the same stance of the Australian goverment in regards to Solar water heating | Solar Geysers in the form of rebates and approved installers like SolarTech, but Eskom need to do the same on Solar Electricity supply see article below:
In May 2010 the Austratlian Energy Department in regards to Solar Geysers wrote to the 25,000 pre-approved applicants with pre-approval expiry dates of 6 July 2010. The purpose of the letter was to
remind these applicants of the pending deadline for the installation of their systems. No extensions will be granted.
The Department appreciates the patience of all Solar Geyser & Solar Electricity installers who are involved in applications for the Solar Homes and Communities Plan.
How applications are being processed
Due to a high level of demand, the Department has been checking, cross-checking, weeding out duplicates, matching applications which were separated when submitted, sorting, uploading and processing
a large number of applications.
Applications have been checked for whether they met the deadline for closure of the program and completeness including:
Applicant signature
Solar Designer or installer signature
Accreditation of designers and installers
Whether an accredited solar Geyser or photovoltaic system is included
Disclosure of income, home ownership or residency
Duplication of previous application or rebate.
Rules for installation
Installations must be completed by the expiry date on the pre-approval letter that has been received or be ineligible for a rebate.
Installations must have permission from the relevant electricity supply authority to connect the system to the grid.
Installers, designers and systems must be accredited by the Clean Energy Council at the time of installation.
The Department allows applicants to switch Solar installers provided the installer is accredited.
Once a Solar Geyser or PhotoVoltaic system is installed by the expiry date, you and the applicant must complete and submit an installation report within eight weeks. An installation report is sent with the pre-approval letter
and also available for download on the Receiving your rebate page.
The Solar installation report must include:
Copies of receipts for the purchase of equipment and installation costs. Receipts must include labour and equipment costs as separate items, be dated and include the Australian Business Number of
your supplier and installer. A sample invoice is available for download below.
Photographs showing the panels installed, the number of panels and the inverter. On the back of one of the photographs, the accredited installer or system owner must sign a statement certifying the
address of the property pictured and that installation has taken place. On inspection of the photos, the program manager may require further works to be carried out before making payment.
For systems connected to the electricity grid, a certificate of compliance must also be signed by a licensed electrician.
Once a completed installation report is received by the Department, payment of a rebate will take up to six weeks to arrive in the nominated account.
Ensuring quality installations
The Australian Government has seen a high level of professionalism from the solar industry and expects this to continue.
Given demand under the program, the Department is strengthening its compliance program and will be monitoring applications and installations carefully as well as undertaking random audits of
installations to verify standards.
Information outlining how to check a system, how to report concerns and how to switch installers is also being made available to applicants.
Concerned applicants who are unable to come to an agreement with their installer will be asked to provide their feedback to the Department, their relevant fair trading organisation and the Clean
Energy Council who has the ability to remove accreditation.
Investment in renewable energy
The Government is investing in Australia's renewable energy industry.
This investment includes:
All eligible home and business wind, hydro or solar installations since 9 June 2009 may be able to receive extra renewable energy certificates through Solar Credits to assist with the upfront
costs. Find out more at the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator or call 02 6159 7700.
A five-fold increase in market share with the expanded Renewable Energy Target generating an estimated $20 billion in investment.
Putting a value on environmental costs through the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme
Support for research and commercialisation through the Australian Government's $4.5 billion Clean Energy Initiative including $465 million to establish the Australian Centre for Renewable Energy
and $1.365 billion for the Solar Flagships program, helping establish Australia as a world leader in solar technology.
