Local solar retailers and installers, along with their customers, have been feverishly preparing for the next round of solar panel rebates set for release this coming Monday 2 September.
Nationals Member for Ovens Valley, Tim McCurdy said that many businesses had been fearful of a repeat of July and August where customers missed out due to the small number of rebates and an over-the–top application process.
“As we know businesses closed, employees were let go and others were left with an uncertain future,” Mr McCurdy said.
“News has recently come through via Solar Victoria that the Labor Government has finally listened to the solar industry and the Liberal Nationals calling for changes to the solar panel rebate program.
“There will be an increase in total rebates for the financial year and they will be released twice a month.
“Retailers and installers are also able to upload quotes at any time, regardless of whether the rebate allocation has been exhausted or not.
“Let’s hope that September starts to get the solar industry back on its feet but let’s not forget those who have lost everything over the past few months.
“For them it’s little too late.”
Mr McCurdy said that while the changes were a small step in the right direction for the industry, the pressure was still on the customers to make their online application.
“One business has indicated to me, given their experience over the last two months, that customers need to be pretty tech-savvy to get through the process” Mr McCurdy said.
“Customers need a mobile phone model less than a year old, need to understand every nook and cranny in the settings and have to be amateur selfie photographers.
“They need a strong and stable internet connection, own a scanner/printer and be able to decrease the size of an attachment to below 5MB.
“And there is a whole other process if you don’t have a “valid” rates notice.”
Mr McCurdy said that customers who were unsure of the rebate application process could contact Solar Victoria for advice. There is also an option to complete a manual application.
