QUEENSLANDERS CAN TRIUMPH IN A SOLAR STATES OF ORIGIN

Premier Anna Bligh has called on Queenslanders to emulate the Maroon’s winning attitude to make Queensland Australia’s Solar State.

Ms Bligh and Federal Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet were in Arana Hills today to highlight the collective support provided by the Queensland and Australian Governments for householders to switch to solar hot water.

“Support available under both the state and federal government programs means Queenslanders can get around $3000* in rebates towards new solar hot water systems” said Ms Bligh.

“That means there’s never been a better time to go solar in Queensland and I am calling on Queenslanders to do the bright thing and make our State the Solar State.”

“We know that Queensland has the best football team in Australia - at this stage there’s no debate about that.

“Five series wins show that we like to aim high in Queensland. On solar we aim to beat New South Wales and the rest of the country too.”

The latest Australian Government figures show that since January this year, 26,358 households had converted to solar hot water systems in NSW, 10,571 in Qld, 3272 in Victoria, 1319 in WA and 630 in Tasmania.

“The State offers generous incentives for solar hot water with rebates of $600 or $1,000 for pensioners and low income earners,” said the Premier

“That’s part of a $60 million Queensland Government Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme which was part of a $115 million solar package, that’s a key element in the State Budget.

“By the end of this week, which is the first week since the new programmed opened, around 100 rebates will have been paid and that number will continue to rise in the weeks ahead.

“Queensland is already thrashing New South Wales in the uptake of Solar PV – the systems that contribute to general household electricity.

“Latest figures show more than 23,100 households have gone solar in Queensland thanks to Federal Rebates and the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme.

“That’s nearly 2,000 more than in New South Wales – despite them having a much bigger population and we want to do the same thing with Solar Hot water.”

The Australian and Queensland Government rebates, provided today to pensioners Peter and Judy Heindorff of Arana Hills in Brisbane’s northern suburbs, represent significant milestones under both federal and state programs.

The Heindorff’s are the recipients of the 170,000^th Australian Government solar hot water rebate to households since November 2007.

“Since Federal Labor was elected the Australian Government has provided more than $243 million in rebates to households who have replaced inefficient electric storage water heaters for solar and heat pump systems,” Mr Combet said.

“Replacing an electric storage hot water system with a solar system saves about four tonnes of carbon emissions per year – the equivalent of taking an average sized car off the road.

“And in additional to reducing carbon emissions, switching to solar hot water helps households save money on their power bills.”

Mr Combet said Queenslanders who switched to solar could also claim a rebate under the Australian Government’s Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme.

“Under the Australian Government’s program householders receive assistance of around $2,000 for replacing an electric hot water system with a new solar hot water system, given generous rebates and the additional value of renewable energy certificates,” Mr Combet said.

“This support provided to Mr and Mrs Heindorff is a practical example of how the Queensland and Australian Governments are working with households to tackle climate change.

“Queenslanders ought to be congratulated for their strong take up of solar hot water systems.

“Of course the federal rebate scheme is available to householders around the country, so I’d also encourage Australians in other states to get on board and get solar hot water installed.”

Queenslanders who want to take advantage of the state government solar rebates can call 13 GET SOLAR (13 438 76527) or visit www.qld.gov.au.

There are strict eligibility criteria under the schemes and installations must be undertaken by suitably licensed contractors, plumbers, electricians and gas fitters.

Applicants should make sure they fill out the application forms correctly in the rebate guideline and their suppliers and installers should also ensure they provide all the required details.

Further information about the Australian Governments Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme – Solar Hot Water rebate is available at: www.climatechange.gov.au

Media Contact 07 32244500 (Qld Government)

Media contact - Tim Fitzsimmons (Greg Combet) 0447 202 469

* Eligible pensioner: Total Incentives – solar hot water system (not heat pump)

Eligible non Pensioner: Total Incentives