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Environment and Water | June 14, 2019

Kealy – concerns remain about solar panel rebate debacle

The Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has raised her ongoing concerns regarding the solar penal rebate scheme with the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change.

After intense scrutiny and complaints from the solar industry and customers when applications for solar panel rebates closed on 12 April this year, the Andrews Labor Government has back-flipped and reopened applications.

Ms Kealy said the Government had obviously crumbled under the pressure of a broken promise they made to Victorians in September last year for rebates to be available until June 30 2019.

Ms Kealy raised her concerns with the Minister in Parliament last week after being contacted by a number of constituents who had installed a solar panel system and were being forced to wait weeks and in some cases months to receive the promised solar panel rebate.

“One local resident was informed last week by Solar Victoria that there would be a four to six-week delay in processing the rebate documentation,” Ms Kealy said.

“These delays are making things financially very difficult for these people and their families.

“I am also deeply concerned that changes to the solar panel rebate scheme due to come into effect on 1 July will not address the key issues that have plagued solar installation businesses since the rebate cap was applied overnight.

“From 1 July solar rebates will be paid directly to the installer rather than the customer, which will rely on Solar Victoria processing claims in a timely way.

“Experience would suggest timely payments is not Solar Victoria’s greatest strength.

“I urged the Minister to address this issue immediately to ensure local solar panel installation businesses are not financially disadvantaged any more than they already have been and no more jobs are lost.”