Solar Homes Program
- Queensland Solar Homes Program
- Tender outcome
- How long will it take to get the system installed
- The Australian Government's Solar Power rebate
- Who is the Installer?
- Solar power system details
- Installation process
- Payment arrangements
- Installation progress
The Queensland Solar Homes Program is now fully subscribed.
If you are interested in installing renewable energy in your home, please contact an accredited installer 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.
Queensland Solar Homes Program
On 5 March 2008 the Queensland Government announced the Queensland Solar Homes Program to provide 1kW solar power systems for 1,000 households in south-east Queensland and the regional council areas of Cairns, Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Fraser Coast.
All applicants were advised of the status of their application by letter at the end of May 2008.
eco-Kinetics, the successful contractor to install the 1kW solar systems has commenced installations of the solar power systems.
Tender outcome
The successful contractor, eco-Kinetics, was announced on 23 July 2008 with a price of $8185.
Australian Government rebates may reduce this cost depending on your eligibility.
eco-Kinetics has been contracted to provide a standard 1kW solar power system for each of the 1000 successful Solar Homes Program participants at a cost of $8185. This price takes into account the Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) - a form of "currency" that can be earned when you install eligible renewable energy equipment - which will be retained by eco-Kinetics.
For more information on Renewable Energy Certificates, contact: The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator at www.orer.gov.au
eco-Kinetics can be contacted by email qshp@eco-kinetics.com
How long will it take to get the system installed
In most cases, the time taken to install a system under the Queensland Solar Homes Program is dependent upon the processing of the pre-approval application by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA). Generally DEWHA has a processing time of 6 weeks. It is in your interest to provide the necessary documentation and a deposit of $185 to eco-Kinetics to enable application to be made to DEWHA as soon as possible.
eco-Kinetics has committed to finish all 1000 installations by 30 June 2009, however wet weather and Australian Government processing times may effect the program's completion date.
The Australian Government's Solar Power rebate
Please note that the 2008 Australian Government budget established a means test for applicants for the Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP) previously Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP). From 14 May 2008 the current rebate of $8,000 will not be available to those households with a taxable family income (applicant + spouse) of $100,000 or more as determined in the last tax year. This may affect your ability to participate in the Solar Homes Program. For more information on SHCP phone 1800 808 571.
Who is the Installer?
The installer is a 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.
Solar power system details
For $8,185 (excluding RECs) you will receive the following:
- A 1kW solar power system comprising:
- Photovoltaic array (solar panels)
- Inverter
- Cable and electrical components
- Roof mounting system
- Installation
- An energy audit of your house
- An ecoman standby power saver. This plug-in device can be installed between electrical equipment (e.g. TV, DVD player, computer, kitchen appliances etc), and the power outlet. The ecoman senses when devices are in standby mode and automatically disconnects the power after five minutes, saving energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The cost of $8,185 (excluding RECs) assumes that your house is suitable for a standard installation.
The installation is classed as a 'standard installation' if the following criteria apply:
- The house is single and/or double storey;
- There is sufficient room in the existing meter board for the additional metering;
- There is sufficient room in the existing main switchboard for additional switchgear (circuit breakers etc.);
- There is no need to upgrade any existing wiring or add a safety switch; and
- The roof mounting frames are suitable for flush mounting of panels.
A non-standard installation is one that includes a variation or additional items from the criteria in a 'standard installation'. This includes:
- Any structural upgrades required under relevant local government and building codes - at cost;
- Mounting frames which require extra spacer struts for roof pitch adjustments in excess of 5 degrees - $160;
- An additional switchboard - $59;
- Additional electrical work/wiring upgrade - $56/hour;
- An additional meter box is required to house the meter;
- Import/export meter - approx. $300. Electricity meters are installed by the network provider under a direct contract with the householder. eco-Kinetics will arrange the power meter installation but the contract will be directly between the network provider and the householder; and
- Additional solar panels (i.e. a larger system). Note that this may also require a different inverter.
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, for all items except additional panels.
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.
Installation process
In August, eco-Kinetics contacted all QSHP participants by email (or by mail if you do not have an email address) and asked you to provide an advance payment of $185 and copies of your driver's licence and rates notice. This is a requirement of the Solar Homes Program.
Wherever possible eco-Kinetics is using installers from your area to help install all systems in a timely manner.
In the first instance the installer will assess the suitability of your house for installation of a system. Suitability 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 for a standard installation and if you are eligible, and receive pre-approval for the current Australian Government rebate under the Solar Homes and Communities Plan (previously the Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP)), the solar system will be installed at the contracted price of $8,185. For more details on the Solar Homes and Communities Plan call the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) on 1800 808 571.
When you have this pre-approval, the installer will make arrangements with you to install your system.
When the installation is complete your installer will help you to fill in the installation report and will submit it to DEWHA for the rebate to be paid to the contractor.
You do not need to complete the pre-approval forms and send them to DEWHA. eco-Kinetics will organise all the paperwork necessary to obtain the rebate if you are eligible.
Step-by Step installation guide* for a standard 1kW installation
- eco-Kinetics will contact you and provide you with part-completed rebate pre-approval forms for you to complete and sign.
- You complete your part of the pre-approval form, include a copy of your rates notice and your driver's licence, and $185 and submit it to eco-Kinetics.
- eco-Kinetics will process your pre-approval form and submit it to DEWHA for the pre-approval.
- You will hear the outcome of the pre-approval from eco-Kinetics
- eco-Kinetics will organise a site inspection of your home and advise you whether or not it would be a standard installation. If not you need to discuss the alternatives and costing with eco-Kinetics or any other privately arranged installer.
- An eco-Kinetics installer will organise a date with you to install the system, provide you with an 'ecoman' standby power saver and conduct your home energy audit.
- You complete your part of the installation report form, the installer and eco-Kinetics complete their parts of the form.
- eco-Kinetics submits the installation forms to DEWHA and the rebate is paid to eco-Kinetics.
*Please note that the above is a guide only and the actual process may vary a little from case to case. If you are unsure of anything, please read the FAQs, contact eco-Kinetics or write to renewable.rebates@epa.qld.gov.au
Payment arrangements
If you are eligible for the current $8,000 Australian Government Solar Homes and Communities Plan rebate, eco-Kinetics requires you to pay the additional $185 prior to the installation taking place. This $185 cost is refundable if for some reason the installation does not take place at your home.
If you are not eligible for the Solar Homes and Communities Plan rebate, eco-Kinetics will require you to pay $8,185, the full cost of the system and installation.
Installation progress
The installation progress so far in each region is:
| Region | Installations Underway |
Installations Completed |
|---|---|---|
| Fraser Coast | 10 | 25 |
| Toowoomba | 14 | 34 |
| Rockhampton | 5 | 20 |
| Cairns | 4 | 35 |
| SEQ | 130 | 286 |
Last updated: 27 April 2009