Energy Matters Forums

[MichaelB]

Many people in rural communities were bitterly disappointed by the abrupt axing of the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) in all states except WA, which provided up to 50% rebates on the cost of wind and solar power equipment.

Off grid installations are now covered under the Solar Credits program, but in many cases, it provides nowhere near the support.

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is looking at the possibility of providing additional financial support to off-grid renewable power generation and are encouraging input from individuals, businesses and organisations to inform the review process.

Read more here:

http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.p ... cle_id=623

Here's our chance to have a say!

It's my understading Energy Matters will be making a submission and we'd love to see *everyone* who has been negatively affected voicing their opinion too!

Making a formal submission will have the most impact, but if you don't have the time to, leave your comments on the rebates situation below (e.g. how its affected you) and we may be able to include it in our submission.

This is a very important review from COAG - we may not get another opportunity to get better rebates for folks away from the mains grid, so please be sure to let others know about it too!

[sharyn70]

Isn't this just typical of what has happened over the last couple of months of this government. Yep they sound all green but their just vote grabbers and now they let down the people that really want to make a difference in their lives and the environment, we believed them when we cast our votes !!!

Firstly we purchased a house with no grid connected electricity, this is ok we planned to connect a offsite solar system anyway and had allowed for this in our budget, we have a diesel generator onsite and this will do for the meantime until we get the quotes sorted. So that's ok, my husband and I had saved up for a system large enough for our family (we are a green minded family so not over done), we had gained a couple of quotes for the new system, only a matter of days later the rebate was pulled over night on the monday morning. It was a $60k system which would have cost us $30k with the rebate, that we could afford, but 60k now, I think not. We could get a half the size system but we would still have to run the generator during times of clothes washing and power tool use. Due to the uncertainity of any of the rebates and lack of incentive we decided to keep running our house on diesel until we see something sorted that looks after the rural communities, at least diesel credits are still going (but don't hold your breath it might be next).

I am glad that this topic has been bought up for review, as there are probably heaps of people that found themselves in the same situation as us.

We have been told we need to take action on climate change, but for the ETS, maybe we should be subsidising all this money already spent on this to go towards helping people and business not rely on the fosil fuels, like me. All these cut backs in programmes that would help the environment have been abolished or cut to the point where they aren't worth it, this is probably to cover their butts when the next budget comes out, I think they have spent to much and the ETS is just away they pull themselves out of the crap they have us in now. But wait there's more, now the schools solar rebate have copped it to.

For our family it was extremely disappointing and frustrating and the lack of notice for these rebates to be pulled was just not fair. We want to do the right thing for our family and our kids, we have raised our kids to be energy efficient and to remember sometimes it's the little things we do everyday that count.

So lets encourage people to put solar panels on our roofs, everyone should be able to access to electricity of some form no matter where they happen to live or their financial status.

[phmorrow]

I was one of the lucky ones who got my application in in time (one week before the rebate got axed).
I can't see how anyone can consider putting in a renewable system now, in spite of the post by "franks" on the greens Safe Climate Bill forum, the price, $30,000 to $60,000 depending on household size will put a complete stop to any thought of off grid renewable systems.

Off grid solar is a great resource. No emissions, silent power, no bills, no blackouts (that is a real consideration in the country where the grid is far from reliable), Forget gas fridges, the gas has to be compressed and bottled, then transported by road and they really struggle in hot weather.

Modern electric fridges are remarkably efficient, even 240V, though low voltage fridges are amazing (the low voltage compressors are unbelievably efficient).