Victorian solar panel rebate scheme to be boosted to help struggling installers

Households will be able to take advantage of an extra 23,000 solar panel rebates after a move to keep a steadier supply of work going for the booming industry. These are the changes to come.

An extra 23,000 solar panel rebates will be offered this year through the Andrews Government’s $1.3 billion scheme this year in order to help struggling installers.

And applications for rebates will be open every fortnight, rather than monthly, in a bid to keep a steadier supply of work going for the booming industry.

After months denying the scheme was causing hardship in some parts of the sector, Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said she had “listened to Victorians” and would also boost safety inspections.

“We’ve listened top Victorians and to the solar industry about how we can make Solar Homes even better. These measures will mean cheaper bills for more Victorians this year, and provide a shot in the arm for the industry.

David Bruce, the owner of Essential Solar in Melbourne, previously spoke out about the need for the scheme to change. Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

The popular scheme offers households up to $2225 cash back on a $4500 solar panel rooftop system, as well as an upfront loan for the rest of the cost that can be paid back over four years

The government had been making 3333 rebates a month available, saying the slow and steady pace was to ensure safety standards were met.

But workers and companies in the industry said the rollout was too slow because customers were holding off on installing solar until they got money back.

Early this month the 3333 rebates available for August were snapped up within two hours.

This meant that some companies without customers who successfully obtained a rebate on offer effectively had their order books frozen until the next round opened on September 1 — because households were waiting until their rebate was obtained before proceeding with installations.

Victorian solar installers rally outside Premier Daniel Andrews' Treasury Place office earlier this month. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

Earlier this year installers had rallied at state parliament and at Premier Daniel Andrews’s office to call for changes to the popular scheme.

They said the intervention by the government had caused a “solar coaster” effect because customers were holding orders until they had their rebates ticked off.

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In a sign the message was finally getting through, Premier Daniel Andrews said this month that he was open to adjusting the scheme.

“I am happy to look at expanding the number of installations each month but I will only do that if I can be completely confident that high quality can be observed,” he said.

Strict safeguards are attached to the rebate scheme, including audits of work done and a process for customers and installers to complete before money is paid out.

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