Are You Eligible for the Victorian Solar Power Rebate?

If you’re a homeowner in Victoria then it’s your lucky day because you could be cutting your power bills in half thanks to a new Government solar energy program said to save households up to $890 a year on energy costs.

A media release from the Minister of Energy, Environment & Climate Change announced the Solar Homes program late last month which aims to reignite a solar ‘spark’ in almost 650,000 homes across Victoria in the space of 10 years.

What is the Solar Homes Package?

The Solar Homes program, which offers households up to $2,225 off their solar power installation, is predicted to cut carbon emissions by almost four million tonnes and generate 12.5% of Victoria’s 40% target for renewable energy by 2025.

A new independent agency, Solar Victoria, aims to work with industry members, regulators and training organisations to deliver the program, which will create almost 5,500 new jobs.

Could you be eligible for the Solar Homes rebate?

Rebates are only available for the first 24,000 homes, and for solar systems installed from 19 August 2018 to 30 June 2019. 9/10 Victorians who own their own home are eligible for this rebate, however you must meet the following criteria:

• Be the owner-occupier of a home in Victoria, Australia.
• Not have solar PV on your property OR be replacing your solar PV system that was installed before 1 November 2009.
• Your home must be valued at less than $3 million dollars.
• Your combined household income must be less than $180,000.
• Not-for-profit community housing providers will also be eligible to apply for a rebate on behalf of their tenants.

Choosing the right solar energy company

Solar Victoria encourage home-owners to select their solar power company carefully, ensuring that they:

• install a Clean Energy Council (CEC) Approved Product
• use a CEC Accredited Installer such as Solargain
• provide you with a completed copy of the Solar Provider Statement certifying that they:   
   
  • hold an unrestricted Class A Electrical Licence, registered with Energy Safe Victoria
  • have had no prosecutions registered with WorkSafe Victoria in the past three years (or with an equivalent authority in another Australian jurisdiction).

Beware of solar rebate scammers!

Solar Victoria have raised concerns about scammers targeting homeowners. The solar panel systems granted under this program should only be installed by accredited solar installers using approved products to ensure the highest safety standards, which means it’s more important than ever to ensure you’re dealing with the right company.

Stay cool and save money this summer with these clever ideas for cutting your power bill.

#1: Ensure your air con is ‘working smarter, not harder’

Resist the temptation to turn your air con on full-boar, in the hope that it’ll cool the room down faster. (All that does is chew up electricity!) Instead, set your air conditioner to around 25°C with a moderate fan speed. Slow and steady wins the race when cooling your home affordably.

#2: Stop the leaks and block out the heat

Be on the lookout for places where cold air can escape from your air conditioned room, like under doorways and via open windows. Place a rolled-up towel along the bottom of the door to keep the cold air in. Make sure all your windows are fully closed and draw your curtains or blinds to dramatically reduce the amount of heat entering the room from outside.

#3: Fans are your friend

Before you reach for the air con remote, consider switching a fan on instead. Fans are much more energy efficient than air conditioners, yet they can can be highly effective at cooling you down on a hot day. By keeping your fan blades free of dust, they'll be more aerodynamic and require less power to run. Bonus points if you remember to switch the fan off as you leave the room.

#4: Look after your air con and it will look after you

In the same way that you take care of your car by servicing it regularly, your air conditioner will perform better if it is serviced regularly too. Refrigeration mechanics use high pressure cleaners to remove mould, bacteria and other build-up from your air conditioner filters. If left unserviced, your air conditioner has to work a lot harder to cool your home, chewing up extra kilowatts along the way.

#5: Make the most of long summer days

Summer means longer days as the sun sets later in the evening compared with winter. Instead of sweltering inside around the dining table, head outside for a twilight picnic. Barbequing outside means you won't be heating up the kitchen with a hot oven or stove top. Spending time outside also allows you to save electricity by turning off the television, the computer and any unused lights inside. Make the most of this quality time with your loved ones by throwing a ball around with the kids or catching up on the day's events over a cold drink.

#6: Add whimsy to your garden at night

While you're enjoying an evening outdoors, imagine the ambiance that solar powered lanterns would add to your backyard, around the pool, strung from the trees and lighting the garden path. These lighting solutions cost nothing to run as they are powered by energy from the sun captured earlier in the day.

#7: Run your pool pump as efficiently as possible

Pool pumps have come a long way when it comes to energy efficiency. Most have the option of working off a timer, enabling them to run at cheaper times of the day, when electricity prices are lower. Some also feature energy saving modes, which use much less electricity than old-school pool pumps. While they may cost more upfront than conventional pumps, they'll save you hundreds of dollars in electricity costs in the long run.

#8: Flick the switch

It takes less than a second and requires minimal effort but in our busy lives it's easy to become lazy. Stop and think about all the electrical appliances in your home that are plugged in but aren't currently in use. Even in standby mode, TVs, washing machines, clothes dryers, kettles, computers, gaming consoles and phone chargers all consume electricity. Switch them off at the wall to stop this trickle of electricity from increasing your next power bill unnecessarily.

#9: Aim for the stars

When shopping around for new appliances, don't just look for cool features and on-trend styling. Make sure you check the energy efficiency star-rating on each appliance and use this to guide your purchase decision. While a washing machine with a lower star-rating may have a cheaper price tag than one with a higher star-rating, it's likely to cost you a lot more in electricity usage over the life of the appliance.

#10: Give your refrigerator some TLC

Left to its own devices, your fridge can be one of the biggest drains on your power bill. It's switched on 24/7, 365 days of the year. Make sure it's not costing you more than absolutely necessary by giving it some love this summer. If the seals have started to perish, replace them. If the top and back of your fridge are dusty, give them a vacuum. If the freezer is all iced up, defrost it. For optimum energy efficiency, set the temperature on your fridge to around 3-5°C and your freezer to around -18°C. And finally, if you can bring yourself to turn that old beer fridge off, you could save hundreds of dollars in electricity each year.

#11: Thaw meats the safe way

Save yourself from contracting food poisoning while saving money at the same time by thawing frozen meat in the fridge instead of in the microwave. Yes, you need to plan ahead. Yes, it takes longer. But by thawing meat in the fridge overnight it will defrost more consistently, as opposed to being partially cooked on the outside and still frozen in the middle. Plus, you won't be chewing up additional power by running your microwave unnecessarily.

#12: Clean filters = less work for your appliances

We've already recommended you give your air con filters a clean this summer. The same goes for the filters on your dishwasher and washing machine. By keeping your appliances clean, they don't have to work as hard and therefore they consume less energy. While you're at it, consider switching your dishwasher and washing machine to run exclusively on cold water. Doing so will save on water heating costs. Running these appliances only when you have enough dirty dishes or dirty clothes for a full load will also save you money on your electricity bill.

#13: Dry your wet washing for free

Speaking of dirty clothes, make the most of these bright, sunny days by drying your clothes on the washing line instead of in the clothes dryer. Not only will you dramatically reduce your energy consumption, but your washing will also receive a free dose of stain-removing, bacteria-killing sunlight.

#14: Heat your water for less

In the heat of summer there's no need for your water heater to be producing scorching hot water. (Who needs a hot shower at this time of year anyway!?!) Consider installing a tempering valve which limits the water temperature to your fixtures to 50 degrees. As most people shower between 38-41 degrees, there is still plenty of hot water available for steamy hot showers.

#15: Enjoy the benefits of solar hot water

Save money on your power bills by installing a solar hot water system. Why pay for electricity to heat your water when a solar hot water system can do it for free? You can even set the timer and thermostat on your solar hot water system to heat your water at off peak times, when electricity prices are cheaper.

#16: Save money by harnessing the power of the sun

One of the most effective methods of reducing your power bill this summer is to reduce your dependence on electricity suppliers and start using solar energy to power your home. By installing solar panels on your roof, you're making an investment in your financial future, potentially saving yourself thousands of dollars over the coming years.

#17: Take control of your energy consumption with battery technology

If you're already a solar power convert, have you considered adding batteries to your system, to achieve even greater control over your energy consumption? By embracing battery technology you can can store the electricity that your solar panels produce instead of sending it to the grid. You can then use the electricity you have stored in your batteries later in the evening and during peak times when it costs more to buy power from the grid. Summer is an ideal time to add battery storage to your solar power system, when your solar panels are most productive.

On 20 July 2017, STC prices have dropped dramatically, affecting every company across the solar industry, small or large, as well as PV customers all over Australia. This dip has caused the price of a 5kW solar system to increase by approximately $1000. So how do STCs work and when can you expect system prices to go down again?

What are STCs?

The solar industry benefits from a government incentive called the ‘Renewable Energy Target’ (RET). Under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, households and businesses with solar power systems up to 100kW, receive Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for every megawatt hour of renewable energy generated or displaced by an accredited solar panel.

How are STCs calculated?

The quantity of STCs your PV system entitles you to is the product of:

1. The total size of your system

Number of panels x wattage of each panel.

2. The rating of the solar zone you reside in

Australia is divided into 4 solar zones.

If you are unsure which zone you reside in, you can download the list of postcode zone ratings here.

3. The number of years remaining until the scheme is entirely phased out

So, if you install a 6.48kW system (including a 5kW inverter and 24 x 270W solar panels) in Perth in 2017, you will receive 6.48 x 1.382 x 14 = 125.37504 STCs.

You can easily simulate the number of STCs you’ll receive for your PV system using an online small generation unit calculator.

What is the value of an STC?

Like shares, STCs have a trading value, which fluctuates depending on supply and demand. Small-scale renewable energy system owners and registered agents have the option to sell STCs through the open market for an uncapped price, or through the STC clearing house at a fixed price of $40 (ex GST).

The process for trading STCs is as follows:

• All certificates must be created and registered in the REC Registry.
• The price depends on whether they are bought and sold in the open market or through the STC clearing house.
• Payment for certificates purchased in the open market is negotiated between the buyer and seller outside of the REC Registry.
• Payment for certificates purchased in the STC clearing house will be paid directly into the seller's nominated bank account.

There are various market reasons why the open market price differs from the clearing house or why the clearing house goes into surplus. Presently, there is an oversupply of STC production in comparison to the required production to reach the 2017 Renewable Energy Target. Therefore, the buyers (the electricity retailers) are able to negotiate lower prices and this is why the prices have dropped so drastically. At this point in time, no buyers will go through the clearing house when the open market price is sitting around $30.

It is important to note that STCs are sold in the STC clearing house only when there is a buyer, which means there is no guarantee on how long the STCs will take to sell. If there are more buyers than sellers, transaction of sale will happen immediately. However, if there are more sellers than buyers – as it is currently the case – or if there are no buyers at all, everyone trying to sell will enter a “first in best dressed” queue and will stay there until all STCs before theirs are purchased. The time they will be waiting is unknown.

What is the amount of the 'solar rebate'?

If you require rapid payment for your STCs, you can go through your retailer, who will offer a point-of-sale discount to have them assigned to them, or you can contact a registered agent, who can organise their creation and sale on your behalf. Most solar customers choose to exchange their STCs for an upfront discount on their PV system.

The lowest value STCs have held is $16, while their cap price is $40. Using the median price of $28 as a guide, the “rebate” you would receive for the 6.48 kW system described earlier is approximately 125 x 28 = $3500, which represents 30 to 40% of the price of a good quality system. Real-time STC market prices can be found online.

Our 3-step guide to saving money on power bills:

Step 1 - Going Solar

Here is a simulation of your potential savings compared to the same usage without solar power. Please note that solar power systems produce 2 to 3 times more energy in summer than in winter, so your summer bills are a lot lower in the summer months. However, we have taken that into account, and the consumption data provided below are yearly averages.

• If you install a 5kW solar power system on your roof, which produces 22.5kWh per day, your production for the September-October billing period (61 days) will be 1372.5kWh.
• If your household uses 10kWh of that production daily and sends the remaining 12.5kWh back to the grid, your usage will be 610kWh and your export, 762.5kWh.
• Considering you use 1100kWh of electricity bimonthly, if 610kWh are generated by your system, you only have to import 490kWh from the grid.

If you are on the A1 Home Plan

With the anytime tariff ($0.26474 per kWh), your consumption will then be $129.72. This represents $161.49 of savings in a single billing period.

The power you produce during the day is either used by your household or sent back to the grid (export). Synergy buys back your exported power at the REBS rate of 7.135 cents per kilowatt. Thus, if you export 762.5kWh, Synergy will owe you $54.40. So, on top of saving money when you use solar energy, you earn money when you feed that sun power back to the grid.

Your usage savings combined with your export earnings amount to $1295.34 of annual savings.

If you are on the SM1 Smart Home Plan

Your time-of-use (TOU) solar energy bill will show you the detail of your power usage and export:

• TOU consumption  
   

  Time of use	Usage	Unit price (inc GST)	Total
  Weekday peak	200kWh	$0.503471	$100.69
  Everyday off-peak	206kWh	$0.138697	$28.57
  Weekday shoulder	0kWh	$0.263681	$0.00
  Weekend shoulder	84kWh	$0.263681	$22.15
  $151.41

• TOU Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme  
   

  Time of use	Export	Unit price	Total
  Weekday peak	0kWh	$0.07135	$0.00
  Everyday off-peak	27.2kWh	$0.07135	$1.94
  Weekday shoulder	518.3kWh	$0.07135	$36.98
  Weekend shoulder	217kWh	$0.07135	$15.48
  $54.40

  In this example, switching to solar has saved you $168.12 and exporting your excess solar production to the grid has earned you $54.40 in just one bill. All in all, that is $1335.12 saved in a year.

  Your bill tells you when you export the most energy, but doesn’t give you the total amount of power your solar PV system has produced or the part you have used.

  However, depending on your inverter brand, you may be able to monitor your consumption. For example, if you have a Fronius inverter with a Fronius Smart Meter, you can keep track of your production and usage, and adapt your habits.

Step 2 - Load Shifting

Going solar is the first step to saving money and energy. Just by switching to solar and without doing any load shifting, you can expect to save about 25% on your power bills. However, depending on your usage, you may save a lot more.

As you know, solar panels are only efficient during the day so, if you wait to come home from work at night to start turning on your electric appliances, you’re not taking full advantage of your solar PV system. But if you move your consumption to the middle of the day, when the sun is out, you can really bring your power bill down.

Solargain has listed some examples of effective load shifting for you. Following these simple tips may save you 50% to 75% of your usual spend for the most committed.

Not only are you not paying for the power generated by your system, but you even get paid for any surplus that you export to the grid.

Step 3 - Battery Storage

All the energy that your solar power system produces during the day and that you are not using is sent back to the grid. Synergy buys that electricity from you at 7 cents a kilowatt and then sells it back to you at 26 cents a unit. Don’t you wish you could store this energy and use it when you need it?

If you are already making the most of your generated electricity and are still producing extra power, then you should think about storing that energy.

If you export too much to the grid during the day and you can’t increase your self-consumption, contact us online or call 1300 73 93 55 to discuss a battery option for your home.

LG has recently released the NeON 2, an award-winning solar module already labelled “the panel of the future”. From high performance to low degradation, great resistance, and superior warranty cover, the new model from LG ticks every box!

Whether you wish to make the switch to solar or to upgrade your current PV system, here are 3 good reasons to consider the LG NeON 2:

1. Produce more electricity and save more money

With extra wire busbars, double-sided cells, and better performance in hot weather and in low-light conditions, the NeON 2 is currently the most efficient solar panel on the market. It absorbs larger amounts of light during longer hours every day, resulting in higher power generation.

This allows you to use more energy from the sun and less from the grid. Plus, when you are ready to add a battery to your PV system, you can store some of the energy you’ve produced for later use, or send it back to the grid and be rewarded.

2. Increase the value of your property

LG’s NeON 2 is so efficient that less panels are needed to produce the same amount of power. This means you don’t need to install as many panels on your roof, saving you space for other appliances (such as a solar hot water system) or simply giving your roof a lighter look.

Besides its high performance, the new NeON module also has premium aesthetics. Its black cells & frame give it a smarter look, which will make your roof more attractive and your property more valuable.

Finally, the NeON 2 was designed to support future home features such as battery storage and electric vehicles.

3. Preserve the environment

Going solar will already participate in doing that, but choosing a sustainable panel manufacturer and solar installer will reduce your carbon footprint even further.

Last year, the Corporate Knights Organisation has ranked LG 44th of the 100 most sustainable corporations in the world. Moreover, the plant in which the NeON 2 modules are made is environmentally-friendly, with over 11,000 solar panels on its roof. The materials used to produce the panels are also free of ozone-depleting substances, in accordance with the Homogenous Substance Management system implemented by LG Electronics. Finally, the technology used in LG panels enables them to generate more clean energy than standard modules.

In addition to selecting a clean panel brand, ensure the company you choose to install or service your system is also eco-friendly. By commissioning Solargain, a Carbon Neutral Green Partner, you can rest assured that special attention is paid at every level.

Get in touch

For more information about LG and the NeON 2, please contact Solargain on 1300 73 93 55 or fill out our online enquiry form.

With higher feed-in tariffs, more affordable solar panels, increasingly productive PV systems and valuable STCs, now is the time to make the switch to solar!

5 compelling reasons to go solar:

• Rising energy costs

  As energy costs in Australia continue to soar, solar is considered a low-cost energy option.
  With electricity prices across the country set to further increase from July 2017, switching to solar now only makes sense.

• Continuing government incentives

  Upfront government incentives are still available and can account for a significant percentage of the upfront cost of the system so, even if you are not using all of the solar generated, you can receive a benefit for it from your retailer. Under the Federal Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, Small-scale Technology Certificates (or "STCs") are available as an upfront discount on eligible solar PV systems.

• Increasing feed-in tariffs

  The Victorian State Government will more than double the minimum feed-in tariff from five cents per kWh to 11.3 cents per kWh from 1 July 2017. This is available to solar and other eligible forms of renewable energy, such as wind, hydro or biomass, with a system size less than 100kW.

• Dropping panel price

  As technology and manufacturing processes improve, the price of solar panels has reduced throughout 2016 and into 2017. This means it is more affordable to install the larger solar power systems that your energy-intensive home demands, limited only by the size of your roof. Plus, a lower-cost system will pay for itself sooner.

• Available financing options

  Finance for solar systems is widely available and, in many cases, energy savings can be greater than finance repayments for solar.

Focus on rising feed-in tariffs

Lucrative feed-in tariffs were once the ultimate reward for homeowners that made the switch to solar power. Yet, in late 2016, several State Governments drastically reduced the generous incentives available to customers who feed their unused electricity back into the grid. However, feed-in tariffs are on the rise again!

In these times of rising energy costs, here’s a quick update on the current status of feed-in tariffs across Australia and some insights into why switching to solar is a wise choice for your home.

From 1 July 2017, Victorians with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems will see their feed-in tariff rise from the current minimum rate of 5 cents to 11.3 cents per kilowatt hour. South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory currently operate with no minimum feed-in tariff, while the Northern Territory currently offers a ‘dollar for dollar’ arrangement for their customers exporting their unused energy back to the grid.

There is currently no minimum feed-in tariff rate for solar electricity users in South-East Queensland. However, households in regional Queensland receive 7.448 cents for systems up to 30kW (up from a previous limit of 5kW). New South Wales consumers can earn between 5.5 and 7.2 cents per kilowatt hour for their excess electricity.

Tasmanian homes with a system up to 10kW (single-phase) or 30kW (three-phase) system can receive 7 cents per kilowatt hour. While in Western Australia, different feed-in tariffs apply depending on where you are located and which company supplies your power.

Start saving today!

As solar power incentives come and go, it can be difficult to estimate how much you can save by investing in solar. That’s where Solargain comes in. We have an in-depth understanding of exactly what incentives are available in your state. We can design a system to ensure you are taking full advantage of what’s on offer, saving you money long into the future.

To find out how you can benefit from solar power, give Solargain a call on 1300 73 93 55 or enquire online.

If you are shopping for solar, you may have been warned about phoenix companies which, like their namesake, are reborn from their ashes. But how much do you really know about them and, more importantly, about how to avoid them?

What is a phoenix company?

Although there is no legal definition of a phoenix company, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission, describes this practice as an illegal activity involving “t he intentional transfer of assets from an indebted company to a new company to avoid paying creditors, tax or employee entitlements.”

In order words, phoenix companies are commercial entities which have gone into voluntary administration or liquidation before reopening a new business with the same trading name, location and directors, leaving staff, suppliers and clients unpaid.

Phoenix companies are difficult to prove, but the ASIC, the ATO, the Department of Employment and the Fair Work Ombudsman have joined forced to fight against them by implementing processes for creditors and employees to recognize and report phoenix companies. However, if you have purchased a good or service from a Phoenix company, you need to turn to the ACCC.

Solar PV customers should be wary of phoenix companies, as the warranty with which their solar power system comes (usually 5 years on the inverter and 10 years on the panels) will become void if their retailer is put into administration or liquidation.

Don't wing it!

If you are currently in the market for solar, here are a few things you can look at to ensure you are dealing with a trustworthy company:

• The number of years the company has been in business: a basic ABN search will allow you to determine whether the retailer is genuine and how long it has been in the solar market.
• The company’s electrical licence number: solar providers are obliged by law to publish their electrical licence number on their website and any other advertising platform.
• Unbiased online reviews: websites like Product Review and Trustpilot compile independent customer reviews which will provide you with some feedback about the company you are thinking of doing business with.
• Finally, online discussion forums such as Whirlpool, can be a good avenue to get some of your questions answered by other solar users.

In addition, we have listed 10 questions to ask your prospective solar installer in order to avoid unreliable businesses.

Let us take you under our wing

Solargain provides maintenance and repair services to customers whose solar power systems were installed by companies which are no longer in operation.

Whether you are seeking a reliable company to install your solar power system or to look after your solar repair needs, contact Solargain on 1300 73 93 55 or fill out our online enquiry form.