Jacana’s sneaky backflip to quietly extend time limit on solar panel applications

JACANA has done a sneaky backflip and quietly extended the period for companies to get in applications for solar panels installation

Jacana hasbackflipped and quietly extended the period for companies to get applications for one-for-one feed in tariff solar panel installation in until midnight, April 14

JACANA has done a sneaky backflip and quietly extended the period for companies to get applications for one-for-one feed in tariff solar panel installation in until midnight, April 14.

However the change, which unusually has not been publicly announced by the Territory Government, comes with a catch.

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The solar installer has to demonstrate, with any application, that the works were committed to, in writing, prior to April 5, 2020.

The backflip of sorts, comes after a flood of angry businesses blasted Jacana and the NT Government for implementing changes last Sunday without any notice being given to solar installation companies.

The April 5 change sees a reduction to the feed-in tariff, from about 23.7c per kilowatt/hour down to a new standard of 8.3c per kilowatt/hour, mean homeowners wanting to install solar will spend more than three times as long paying it back before they start to make money.

NT Solar companies were up in arms saying the changes had put an end to negotiations they were having with potential customers.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison this week denied the solar industry would be hit by the tariff reduction and said residents would benefit in the long run.

“It’s actually going to be a really good package for people in the long run when it comes to not only doing the right thing by the environment but also their hip pocket,” she said.

The government has been maintaining a hard line on the unannounced changes, however an “important update” appeared on Thursday on Jacana’s website.

“Important update - 8 April 2020:

We have received advice from the Northern Territory Government that the premium Feed-In-Tariff rate will be applied to ANY application (including modifications to existing systems) if the solar installer can demonstrate that the works were committed to, in writing, prior to 5th April 2020.

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Applications will need to be submitted to Power and Water Corporation by midnight 14 April 2020.

Approval to export electricity into the grid will continue to be subject to the technical requirements and approval of the network provider, Power and Water Corporation, as per the usual process.”

Ms Manison also said her Government’s new battery-focused scheme would also encourage

residents to invest in battery systems to ensure they weren’t wasting excess energy from solar panels.

Territory households and businesses will be able to apply for $6000 grants to buy and install solar power systems and batteries under the new scheme.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the new solar and battery grants would help create more jobs during the coronavirus crisis.