Save Now with Solar - 19th April 2012

Are you considering going solar? If so, now is the time to take action. Ergon Energy has recently advised customers and installers to lodge Inverter Energy System (IES) applications early to secure the maximum number of solar credits from the Federal Government.

IES applications should be lodged and approved before a system is installed. The IES application secures a network agreement with Ergon. This allows you to install a system at your home and export electricity back to Ergon. You will need your electricity bill and rates notice to complete the application.

The Federal Government allocates Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) based on the size of the system. For the first 1.5kW of a system there is currently a multiplier of 3. On 1 July 2012 this multiplier will decrease to 2 reducing the number of STCs by 31.  Each STC generates a financial discount off the cost of your system.

Ergon’s, PV Industry Alert stated: “We are expecting a significant increase in the rate of IES applications prior to the 30 June 2012, when the Federal Government’s Solar Credits rebate is reduced. Ideally, all applications for systems intended to be installed before that date should be lodged by Monday, 30 April 2012.”

Ergon says they will work hard to process applications received after the 30 April, but application numbers rise significantly at this time of year creating delays. Due to the sheer volume of solar PV applications already received and the increased number of requirements, Ergon is already experiencing technical assessment delays.

For further information about the Solar Credit Scheme, please visit the Federal Government website: 

http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/renewable-target/need-ret/solar-credits-faq.aspx