Smart Energy Council

As another rally brings the voice of solar installers before Victorian lawmakers, signs are beginning to show that the pressure may be having an impact on the Andrews’ state government. The government has indicated that it may look to make changes to the plan – but whether that’s a result of installer pressure or public frustration is yet to be seen.

The Smart Energy Council has announced plans for a second rally to warn against the current Solar Homes scheme’s damaging effect on Victoria’s solar industry. This time, the protest will target Premier Daniel Andrews’ office.

The quota for rebates in the August round of the Solar Homes program has been snapped up in only 90 minutes. Solar Victoria reports there are “plenty of rebates still available” for rental solar grants, solar hot water and batteries – the latter in qualifying areas only. Industry bodies say that solar sector in “crisis”.

The Smart Energy Council and Solar Cutters assembled a group of installers to send the message that the Solar Homes rebate scheme is damaging the Victorian solar sector today. The rally was also supported by the Clean Energy Council (CEC), which has called for the Solar Homes rebate to be reduced, and the monthly installation cap ended.

The Smart Energy Council (SEC) promised action, and it isn’t bluffing. This Thursday, 25 July at 10:30am the Victorian solar community will rally on the steps of Victoria Parliament House. “The Victorian Government Don’t Get It!” goes the cry as solar workers lose their jobs and companies close in the aftermath of the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes Program, a sad lesson in the law of unintended consequences. 

The fallout of Victoria’s Solar Homes Program is verging on a “bloodbath” in the words of the Smart Energy Council (SEC) CEO John Grimes, who spoke at length in a SEC Webinar featuring over 200 Victorian solar industry actors about the adverse impacts of the program for both the industry and consumers. The SEC is now readying for action.

Following similar calls from other industry bodies, the Clean Energy Council has urged the Victorian government to review its landmark Solar Homes Program and warned about the serious effects its dynamics has on the industry.

Standards Australia has progressed AS/NZS: 5139 draft battery standard to the ballot stage for committee voting. The Smart Energy Council (SEC) believes the draft standard, while required to meet the needs of the fast growing battery segment, is not sufficiently thorough in addressing safety concerns.

The Australian Battery Performance Standard Project (ABPS) was launched in June of 2018 and has now advanced into its second and last stage after completing an intensive period of analysis and calibration. Along with the recently completed ITP Renewables testing, Australia will soon have comprehensive standards across the board. The ratification of performance standards would solidify Australia’s place as a front-runner in the global battery storage industry.

With a pronounced focus on safety and installer certification in the second round of Victoria’s landmark Solar Homes subsidy program, the Smart Energy Council (SEC) has renewed calls for its ‘whole of industry’ code to be incorporated into the program. SEC CEO John Grimes says that he broadly supports the focus on safety as “setting a high bar.”