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[ACT] Solar Rebates for Low Income Home Owners (Pensioner Concession Card Required)

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ACT Energy Consumer Policy Consortium media release,
Tuesday 19 December 2017.

Solar rebates for low income homes welcomed

Eligibility: The program is available to home owner occupiers who are in possession of an Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card

A consortium of business, conservation and community groups has welcomed the launch of a new program to assist low income households install solar panels today by the ACT Government.

According to the ACT Government, the program will help Canberrans living in low income households significantly reduce their energy by offering participants a rebate of up to 60% on costs for the supply and installation of a rooftop solar photovoltaic system with estimated savings of $300 to $900 a year. The subsidy will also cover upgrades for a switchboard and smart meter if required. Participants will have access to an interest free loan to pay back the remaining installation costs over a three year period.

Not many people I think would be eligible but for those that are, I think its not a bad set up - I could be wrong. I just did a copy & paste. Hopefully some will benefit.
Asset tests are still something that needs to be considered as well and have changed drastically from 2016 - 2017. Please see the link below as it shows you how much you can own in assets before government allowances become effected.
E.g - Single homeowners part pension assets must be less than (in 2016) - $793,750 (in 2017)$542,500

https://www.catholicsuper.com.au/retirement/centrelink-aged-…

Members of the ACT Energy Consumers Policy Consortium have today welcomed the announcement.

According to Carmel Franklin, Director of Care Financial Counselling, “Low income households need support to adapt to more extreme weather events and to reduce their energy costs. Without this assistance we see growing hardship associated with bill shock and poor health caused by inadequate temperature control in cold winters and hot summers.”

The Canberra Business Chambers, Ron Thompson, also welcomed the announcement stating that, “Reducing household budget pressures from energy bills leaves money for other essential items and builds capacity to spend money in the local economy.”

The Conservation Council’s Larry O’Loughlin noted that, “The ACT Climate Change Council has recommended the ACT Government accelerate the transition to zero net emissions from 2050 back to 2045. Measures like this announced today are needed to ensure we reach this earlier target date.”

Edwina Robinson, Executive Director of SEE-Change, said that, “Government investment in reducing carbon footprint is both urgent and supported by the community.”

Welcoming the focus on low income households, Susan Helyar, Director of the ACT Council of Social Service, said that, “Middle and higher income households in Canberra have been provided with significant subsidies to invest in solar panels. It is vital that lower income households are given better access to this technology and infrastructure.”

More information about the program can be found here:
https://www.actsmart.act.gov.au/what-can-i-do/homes/Actsmart…

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closed Comments

  • Whereas in NSW, let's give rebates to people who can afford their electricity bills.

  • +3

    May want to add something like:
    Eligibility: The program is available to home owner occupiers who are in possession of an Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card

    • sounds good, like i said though - copy and paste XD edited, thanks

  • +1

    Am I eligible?

    To be eligible you must:

    1)Hold an Australian Government Pensioner Concession Card and;
    2)Be a homeowner in the ACT.

    • Seems targeted

    • +3

      This is the worst kind of descrimination! The kind against me!

    • +1

      Sweet! Just need to find a pensioner and ask if I can hold their pension card (might take a selfie as well), and then I will be eligible!!

  • -2

    Low income in ACT?

    How does that apply, aren't most on the taxpayer take already?

  • +1

    Is there a similar Vic scheme ?

  • +1

    There are some Victorian municipal councils who are offering subsidized solar installation for concession card holders.
    Check out Positivecharge.com.au. for listing. Not for profit organisation. Also offer free Victorian Residential Efficiency Scorecard check by accredited assessor.
    Phone 1300 236 855 or 9385 3885.

  • Does anyone know what the income cut off is for a concession card?

    • Searching the internet will get the exact figure but it's quite high at around $86,000/year.

      • Bad Guess - just under $51K for concession card (1,956.80pf) (single). Keeping in mind you can get concession card with a $1 PF pension ie your other income is $1955.80PF .

        Pension itself starts being reduced when income exceeds $168PF

        • Couple? Solar needs high electricity usage to be worthwhile. Electricity needs to be used as it's generated rather than exported to see a good return.

          Single pensioners in a small household of one would not find the payback of solar to be worth the investment. A health care card reduces electricity usage charges to quite reasonable levels without the need for any panels. I personally get 17.5% off by having a health care card and daily supply charges are capped. They tend to be low users of electricity and paying so much to install the panels just to save $300 per year (as per their own figures) just isn't worth it. If they don't use the electricity they've generated they're paid a tiny amount to export the excess which doesn't cover the cost of the panels/inverters/etc in the first place.

        • @mysterytal:

          Single pensioners in a small household of one would not find the payback of solar to be worth the investment.

          you hit the nail on the head.

          each household that takes up this deal will be a solar power generator bot.

  • Canberrans living in low income households

    what is considered a low income household in the act?

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