Energy Industry Lifeline
With the energy crisis now in full swing, the government has thrown a lifeline in to help ease the pain of Victorians. See how much you can save with these government incentives!
Extended Solar for Business Program
This program has been running since May 2021 and has been extended to 3 years. This program helps small businesses install solar systems that have up to a 30kW inverter. Over these 3 years 15,000 solar rebates will be accessible to businesses wishing to hedge their energy overheads and create a sustainable future.
This program can help businesses in two ways,
1. Up to $3500 off your installation if it is over $7000 net costs (inc. GST and any contribution for the STC rebate). If your installation is less than $7000 net costs, then only 50% of these costs can be claimed through the Solar for Business Program.
E.g., if the net cost is $10,000 then the rebate is capped at $3,500, but if the net cost is $5,000 then the rebate is $2,000 (50% of the net cost).
2. Interest-free loans from between $1,000 to $5,000, that is payable over 12 or 24 months. It can also be paid back earlier in a lump sum.
The eligibility for the $3,500 rebate is the following:
* You are either an owner occupier, associated entity, or renter.
* A business owner (including a company, trust, partnership or not-for-profit) that employs between 1 and 50 full-time employees (not including the business owner).
* Premises is eligible under the Australian Valuation property Classification Code (AVPCC). Your AVPCC can be found on your Council Rates Notice. If your AVPCC is not on the list, contact Solar Victoria on 1300 376 393.
* Have not previously received a Solar For Business rebate for the ABN you have used in the application.
* System has been installed by a Solar Victoria’s approved Solar Retailer
* System equipment is on the Solar Victoria approved product list
* The system was installed after the 28th of May 2021, or if you are expanding or replacing a system installed before the 1 st of November 2009 (early adopters). If you are an early adopter and want to apply for this with an existing system you will lose your Premium feed-in Tariff.
* Your business must be connected to the grid and have it’s own National Meter Identifier (NMI)
Please note if you run a franchise, the above criteria apply to your individual ABN, not the franchisor’s.
Also, if you run a business from your residential property, you can still be eligible if your property has an eligible AVPCC.
The eligibility criteria may seem difficult but it is quite easy to prove it. The following documents must be supplied during your application and all businesses can easily obtain them. They are:
* a quote from an approved solar retailer
* contact details of a business representative
* the business ABN
* WorkCover Employer Number
* Certified Rateable Remuneration
The Interest-Free Loans are also easily obtained, provided by DELWP and administered by the State Trustees. There will be a monthly direct debit from your preferred account and can also be changed later if required.
As a business, a pre-approval will need to be completed before the installation date. Once the approved Solar Retailer has completed this application, repayments will start 30 days after the installation.
If you can’t make a repayment then Solar Victoria will look to restructure your loan agreement under the “hardship policy”.
These two loans are fantastic for freeing up valuable resources that can be used for other business assets while still receiving the benefits of solar!
If you need any more information, please consult eric@freeengineer.com.au
Power Saving Bonus Program
This program now has been extended and is now open again from the 1st of July 2022 to the 30th of June 2023.
This program has been designed to help Victorian households who are feeling the increase in the cost of living. This one-off payment goes straight into your nominated bank account and is easily obtained. Taking only about 15 minutes, head over to the Victorian Energy Compare website and start today.
The application can only be done if you meet the following requirements:
* You are the electricity account holder
* Have a recent residential electricity bill
* Visit the Victorian Energy Compare website or contact one of our participating outreach partners.
The Victorian Energy Compare outreach partners can help you in person or over the phone, and for more details click here, Community Outreach Partners.
Therefore, if you are renting you may still be eligible.
Once your application is completed a response will be sent within 10 days of submission and if you still haven’t received anything you can contact Victorian Energy Compare Team at info.vec@delwp.vic.gov.au.
If successful, the payment should be received within the next week.
For more information, please visit https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/psb-faq
This article is brought to you by Solarpedia and Free Engineer, your local Solar Energy Team, steering Australia in the right direction of sustainable energy. For more information contact eric@freeengineer.com.au or visit our website at https://www.freeengineer.com.au/