I am having an issue with ETSA in SA after upgrading my solar system from a 1.1 kw to a 3.5 kw system on hearing the feed in tariff would be dropped from 30/9/11/. Approval was given by ETSA in August for the upgrade and our installer assured us there would be no problem if the unit was installed after 30/10/11. The unit was installed 14/10/11 due the fact that the panels had been held up in Perth. Our fist bill after instalation was a $300 credit. Then we received a letter from ETSA saying as we installed after 30/9/11 we would no longer received feed in tariff for either system. After reading the legislation it seems they are correct. Therefore our $10 thousand dollars has gone down the drain all due to a hold up in the delivery of some panels. Any feed back would be great on this issue.
upgraded system loses feed in tariff in SA
(7 posts) (4 voices)-
scott drew
MemberCouple of points, where you have typed 30/10/11 did you mean a different date?
Why have they denied you a feed in tariff for all of your system? Did you used to get a feed in tariff for your 1.1kw system?
I would be having a look at your contract or paperwork that you signed from the installers. Was there a date that they said they would get it done by? From your post above you have not said it was your fault the panels were delayed so I assume it was the installers or suppliers. You may be able to sort something out with them, but I doubt it.
My suggestion would be look into getting the lot taken off grid and telling the energy company to go screw themselves. If they wont play the game why should you even be connected to them? Find out if it is viable to have a battery system hooked up to your new strings of panels and run the system that way.
Posted Sunday 1 Apr 2012 @ 4:15:24 am from IP # -
Bushwalker
MemberSounds like you need to make some noise, probably a lot of noise.
Your issue is not with ETSA, but with the installer.
Whilst it may not have been the installer's fault that the panels were delayed, it certainly is the installer's fault for not understanding the cut-off date and not completing the installation before the cutoff date.
Start here: http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/consumeradvice/false.html
Small Claims Tribunal has a $6k limit, so this may have to go to court if you cannot get it sorted with the solar company. You may well need a lawyer (I am not a lawyer though, please check anything I have said with a qualified lawyer) The OBCA should be able to let you know if and when this would be required.
Consumer affairs will require that you attempt to resolve the dispute with the trader first. Start this by polite and courteous letter explaining what has happened and that the installation delay was not of your doing, was the result of what appears to be misleading advice from the company, yet has cost you the ability to recoup your sizable investment. State facts, not accusations. It is far better to resolve things amicably and out of court.
Ask for reparation and make it clear that you intend to take the matter further if you cannot get satisfaction.
Good luck!
Posted Sunday 1 Apr 2012 @ 7:03:56 am from IP # -
TonyT
MemberMy reading of the SA legislation is that if an existing PV system was expanded, even if it was expanded before 30/9/2012, the feed-in tarrif of 44cent/kWh was lost for the pre-existing part and that the FIT was not applicable for the new part.
Posted Sunday 1 Apr 2012 @ 10:39:12 pm from IP # -
Bushwalker
MemberTonyT said:
My reading of the SA legislation is that if an existing PV system was expanded, even if it was expanded before 30/9/2012, the feed-in tarrif of 44cent/kWh was lost for the pre-existing part and that the FIT was not applicable for the new part.Where do you see that, Tony? This part seems to say that upgrades are eligible up to 30/9/2011:
When the scheme was amended in June 2011, the government focussed on ensuring it would be available to as many customers as possible, while limiting the costs associated with the scheme.
To do this it is necessary to limit the amount each customer can benefit from the scheme, so conditions were introduced to:
exclude systems run for profit
cap the amount that can be exported to the grid per day
to impose a limit of one eligible system per customer
only allow upgrades until 30 September 2011.Any upgrades completed after 30 September 2011 will make you ineligible for any feed-in tariff.
I wonder if Roger had read this or was relying on the installer's information?
Posted Monday 2 Apr 2012 @ 12:45:16 am from IP # -
Rodger
MemberThanks for all the replies. We were unaware of the date of cut off for installation and did not understand the legislation and relied on the installer. We are having a meeting this week with the installer to seek compensation. Failing this we will be seeking legal advise. Hopefully this can be resolved.
Posted Sunday 8 Apr 2012 @ 7:37:36 am from IP #