Environment and Resource Management

Frequently asked questions

Contractor

When was the Expression of Interest for the tender process advertised?

7 May 2008.

What was the closing date for tenders?

29 May 2008.

Who is the Contractor?

eco-Kinetics is the successful contractor and will administer the program.

How was the contractor selected?

The selection process was conducted in accordance with Queensland Government Purchasing guidelines and was overseen by an independent Probity Auditor.

Who is the Installer?

The installer is local person who actually installs the solar power system on your house. The installer has been accredited by the Clean Energy Council and engaged by eco-Kinetics to help install the systems in your area in a timely manner.

What are the contact details of the contractor installing my photovoltaic system?

eco-Kinetics can be contacted via email qshp@eco-kinetics.com.

When is the Solar Homes Program likely to finish?

The Queensland Government expects all systems to be installed by 30 June 2009. eco-Kinetics will be using local installers to help install solar energy systems in a timely manner. Please note that as there are 1000 systems to be installed, it may be some time before you are contacted. You can check your reference number against the progress of installation on the department website or eco-kinetics website.

I was not successful or waitlisted in the Solar Homes Program. How can I still get a solar power system?

You can contact eco-Kinetics or any other installer of solar power systems to obtain a quote on supply and installation of a system. You can find these in the Yellow Pages or you can look at the Clean Energy Council list of accredited installers for one in your area.

A supplier will advise you regarding the suitability and other specifications for the capacity and type of system you could install on your home.

You may be eligible for an Australian Government rebate under the Solar Homes and Communities Plan (previously the Photovoltaic Rebate Program). Call the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts on 1800 808 571

You may also be eligible for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) on your system. Talk to your installer or check the website of the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator to find out more about RECs.

Whom should I contact if I am not satisfied with service of the contractor?

Please contact eco-Kinetics or your installer in the first place. If you are not happy with the outcome, contact the Clean Energy Council on telephone 03 9929 4100 or email info@cleanenergycouncil.org.au or email the department on renewable.rebates@qld.gov.au

Process

When was the successful contractor announced?

The successful contractor was announced on 23 July 2008.

How was the ballot conducted?

An external auditor was involved in the development and carrying out of the ballot to ensure that the process was fair and equitable.

What is the status of the ballot?

All successful and unsuccessful applicants were contacted in late May 2008.

Why was my application unsuccessful?

There may be a number of reasons why you were unsuccessful. For example you may not live in an eligible area, the house may not be your principal place of residence, you may be renting, or you may already have a PV system.

I have been advised that I am on the Solar Homes Program waiting list. What happens next?

If for any reason a successful applicant is unable to have a system installed, the person at the top of the waiting list will be contacted to determine if they are still interested in having a solar energy system. Depending on how many people are unable to install a system, and where you are on the waiting list, you may or may not be contacted.

The progress of installations will be updated on this website. You should check the website calculator to determine the status of installations in relation to your Solar Homes Reference Number.

What is the installation process?

eco-Kinetics have contacted QSHP participants to obtain completed and signed pre-approval, Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), and Connection of the Inverter to the Electricity Grid forms, a copy of a drivers licence (or other form of identification), you're a rates notice, and an advance payment of $185.

eco-Kinetics will then send your application to the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts for assessment and pre-approval.

When your pre-approval application has been approved for an Australian Government rebate, eco-Kinetics will contact you to organise a site survey and determine the suitability of your house for a solar power system.

The suitability of your house will be determined on the basis of sufficient roof area to accommodate the panels, the pitch of the roof, the orientation of the roof (sufficient area should face the sun) and whether the roof is heavily shaded and therefore does not receive sun.

If your house is suitable, the installer will make arrangements to install your system.

When the installation is complete your installer will help you to fill in the installation report and submit it to DEWHA for the rebate to be paid to the contractor.

eco-kinetics will organise all the paperwork necessary to obtain the rebate if you are eligible. Go the Queensland Solar Homes page of the eco-Kinetics website www.eco-Kinetics.com and enter your reference number and postcode. This will give you a step-by-step process and all the forms you require. Follow that process and contact eco-Kinetics if you have any queries.

What does a 1kW solar system consist of?

What equipment will I get when the system is installed at my house?

The 1kW system will have a number of solar panels which will be mounted in a frame on your roof. An inverter and a meter will also be wired into your current electricity service.

eco-Kinetics will provide items that conform to the relevant standards and meet the 1kW requirement.

The proposed system is International Electrotechnical Commission approved and conforms to Clean Energy Council regulations. The systems have a two year warranty, the panels have a performance warranty of up to 25 years, and all meet Australian Standards.

What is standby power?

Standby power is the electricity that is still used by your appliance even when you have turned the appliance off.

What is involved in the energy audit?

As a participant in the Solar Homes Program you will also receive an energy audit of your house . More information will be provided shortly but it will not involve the provision of free Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) or other activities covered in the ClimateSmart Homes Service program.

How will my system and electricity meter operate?

Only net metering is available to the home owners under the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme announced on 1 July 2008. For more information on the Solar Bonus Scheme please contact the Department of Mines and Energy on 07 3237 1508 .

Your electricity retailer will bill you for the electricity you use and pay you for the excess electricity you may generate. Check with your energy retailer for information on charges and payments.

Whom should I contact for the maintenance issues regarding the system?

You should talk to eco-Kinetics or your installer about maintenance requirements. Alternatively you can contact another accredited installer to inquire about maintenance contracts and costs. Generally a solar power system requires minimal ongoing maintenance.

Why I am asked to provide a copy of the driver's licence and rates notice?

To be eligible for the Australian Government rebate you need to provide proof of your identity and that the house is your principal place of residence.

Will this affect my privacy?

eco-Kinetics has committed to keep all your private information confidential under all circumstances.

Australian Government Rebate under the Solar Homes and Communities Plan

Do I need to be eligible for the Australian Government rebate to be able to get a solar energy system under the Queensland Solar Homes Program?

No. You can still get a solar energy system under the Queensland Solar Homes Program even if you are not eligible for an Australian Government rebate, but you will have to pay the full cost of the system.

What is the Australian Government rebate threshold?

The Australian Government $8,000 rebate is not available to those households with a taxable family income of $100,000 or more. For more information on the Australian Government rebate phone 1800 808 571.

Will the Australian Government rebate still be available to me if I am unsuccessful under the Solar Homes program?

If you meet the eligibility requirements of the Australian Government Solar Homes and Communities Plan, you could obtain a rebate of $8,000 for a 1 kW system. Please check the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website for information and guidelines on the rebate.

What are the eligibility criteria for an Australian Government rebate?

You should check the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts website for information on the rebate guidelines and eligibility criteria.

What happens if there is a change in the value and/or nature of the Australian Government rebate?

All applications are assessed by the Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts on the basis of the criteria and the rebate amount that apply at the time of application.

What if I am not eligible for the rebate?

If you are not eligible for the Australian Government rebate and wish to withdraw from the Solar Homes Program, please email the department at renewable.rebates@epa.qld.gov.au and quote your Solar Homes reference number. Alternatively you may wait until you are contacted by the installer to make a decision on whether or not to continue.

Can I register again if I have withdrawn from the Solar Homes program?

No. Once you have withdrawn, your position will be taken by the next waitlisted applicant.

Pricing/costs

Why do I need to provide $185 to eco-Kinetics?

This is an advance payment that signifies your commitment to obtaining a solar power system.

Is $185 refundable?

Yes. If for any reason, you do not have a system installed, eco-Kinetics will refund the amount

Will there be any additional costs?

The Queensland Solar Homes Program solar power system price is based on a 'standard installation'. Please refer to 'What is a standard installation? for more details.

Your installer will assess the suitability of your house and advise you of any additional costs to install your system. Additional costs may be required to install another meter box, mounting frames and additional roof bracing. See 'What is a non-standard installation? for more information.

What is a standard installation?

The installation will be classed as a 'standard installation' at a cost of $8185 if the following criteria apply:

What is a non-standard installation

A non-standard installation is one that includes a variation or additional items from the criteria in a standard installation. This includes:

A 'non-standard installation' will incur additional costs which your installer will discuss with you at the time of initial inspection of the property and provide you with an estimate of the cost involved. You can then decide whether or not to proceed with the installation.

You can also seek independent quotes from other qualified electricians and get the necessary changes done before the installation of the solar system.

You may wish to upgrade the 1kW system to a larger system at the time of installation of the system provided through the Solar Homes Program. You should discuss your requirements with your installer at the time of the initial house inspection. Any additional system requirements will be at your own expense.

I have one/more item(s) that makes it a non-standard installation, what should I do?

The installer will discuss any additional items/requirements with you at the time of initial inspection of the property and provide you with an estimate of the cost involved. You can then decide whether or not to proceed with the installation.

You can also seek independent quotes from other qualified electricians and get the necessary changes done before the installation of the solar system.

Can I upgrade the 1kW system?

You can upgrade the 1 kW system at any time. However, the full cost of the upgrade will be at your own expense as you will not be eligible for a rebate under the current Australian Government Solar Homes and Communities Plan.

You may wish to upgrade the 1kW system to a larger system at the time of installation of the system provided through the Solar Homes Program. You should discuss your requirements with your installer at the time of the initial house inspection. Any additional system requirements will be at your own expense.

My system is eligible for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). What does this mean?

Solar energy systems are eligible for Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Under the Solar Homes Program, all RECs are to be given to the contractor. This will help to reduce the cost of your solar energy system.

More information on RECs.

Solar Bonus scheme (feed in tariff)

How can I find about the Solar Bonus Scheme (feed-in-tariff)?

The Queensland Government Solar Bonus Scheme is a program that pays domestic and other small energy customers for the surplus electricity generated from roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that is exported to the Queensland electricity grid.

The scheme rewards customers whenever they generate more electricity than they are using - not just the balance at the end of the quarter, but whenever generation exceeds consumption during the day.

More information on the Solar Bonus Scheme.

Future actions

Is the Queensland Government going to continue the QSHP?

The QSHP is a pilot program designed to test the current market demand in terms of industry development and provide a means to make solar power systems more accessible to Queenslanders by reducing up-front costs.

The overwhelming response demonstrates that there is significant community interest in installing a solar power system.

The program will be evaluated against any shift in the renewable energy market. A significant market shift would indicate that further Government involvement is not required.

Last updated: 19 January 2009

Solar Homes Program

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