News | Solar Gippsland "Rockys Solar" Design & Installation Specialists

March 2, 2020 By Rocky's Solar 6 Comments

Solar Victoria Battery Rebate Now Widely Available

Today Solar Victoria has announced some big changes.4

After persisting for a long time with a problematic process, applications for new rebates have been simplified by eliminating the need to provide copies of ID documentation and instead just requiring details from the acceptable ID documents to be entered in during the application.

The battery rebate has also become available in many more areas of Gippsland including Sale, Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Maffra and lots of towns in between (see list of postcodes below).

Adding a battery to your solar system will give you the security of back up power during a grid outage as well as savings on your electricity bill. The solar battery rebate is for an amount up to $4,838 which significantly reduces the cost of adding battery storage to your solar system.

Solar Victoria Battery Rebate Eligibility Criteria:

The postcode of your property must be on the Solar Victoria Battery Rebate eligible postcodes list.
You must have an existing solar system, 5kW or greater,with no existing battery storage
You must be an owner-occupier
The combined income of home owners must be less than $180,000
Your property must be worth less than $3 Million.
You or the property address have not already claimed the Solar Victoria Solar PV Rebate
Must choose a battery listed on the Solar Victoria Approved Batteries list
You must have pre approval from your Distributor (AusNet Services) to add battery storage to your solar system

If you live in one of the following postcodes and have not already claimed the Solar Victoria Solar PV rebate you may be eligible for a Solar Victoria Battery Rebate.

Find out if your postcode is in one of the eligible areas using the list below:

Gippsland locations include:

3818

Ripplebrook, Jindivick, Hallora, Drouin West, Drouin South, Drouin East, Drouin, Athlone.

3820

Bona Vista, Lillico, Warragul

3821

Shady Creek, Tetoora Road, Rokeby, Seaview, Nilma, Nilma North, Ferndale, Lardner, Crossover, Ellinbank, Buln Buln, Buln Buln East, Brandy Creek, Bravington, Warragul South, Torwood, Warragul West.

3822

Gainsborough, Darnum, Cloverlea

3823

Yarragon South, Yarragon, Allambee

3824

Trafalgar East, Trafalgar, Tafalgar South, Childers, Thorpdale South, Narracan

3835

Thorpdale

3844

Callignee, Blackwarry, Callignee South, Callignee North, Carrajung Lower, Carrajung, Flynn, Carrajung South, Flynns Creek, Kornalla, Loy Yang, Mount Tassie, Traralgon, Traralgon East, Traralgon South, Tyers

3850

Sale, Wurruk

3851

Flamingo Beach, Fulham, Dutson, Dutson Downs, Cobains, Darriman, Bundalaguah, Clydebank, Loch Sport, Longford, Kilmany, Lake Wellington, Glomar Beach, Golden Beach, Giffard, Giffard West, Stradbroke, Somerton Park, Seaspray, Seacombe.

3858

Buragwonduc, Crookayan, Dawson, Denison, Arbuckle, Billabong, Howitt Plains, Licola, Licola North, Reynard, Gilum, Glenfalloch, Glenmaggie, Heyfield, Yangoura, Worrowing, Seaton, Sargood, Winnindoo, Tamboritha

3859

Newry, Maffra West Upper, Tinamba West, Tinamba

3860

Nap Nap Marra, Riverslea, Monomak, Moroka, Woolenook, Wrathung, Toolome, Valencia Creek, Wrixon, Coongulla, Bushy Park, Maffra, Koorool, Briagolong, Boisdale

3862

Cobbannah, Cowa, Budgee Budgee, Hawkhurst, Hollands Landing, Crooked River, Dargo, Moornapa, Miowera, Meerlieu, Llowalong, Stratford, Stockdale, Perry Bridge, Munro, Wongungarra, Waterford

3864

Glenaladale, Fernbank

3865

Lindenow

3871

Allambee Reserve, Allambee South, Baromi, Darlimurla, Delburn, Dollar, Mirboo, Mirboo North

3875

Banksia Peinsula, Bairnsdale, Broadlands, Bengworden, Calulu, Bullumwaal, Deptford, Clifton Creek, Eastwood, East Bairnsdale, Fairy Dell, Ellaswood, Forge Creek, Flaggy Creek, Hillside, Iguana Creek, Goon Nure, Granite Rock, Marthavale, Melwood

3878

Eagle Point

3880

Paynesville, Ocean Grove, Boole Poole, Raymond Island

3882

Nicholson

3902

Johnsonville, Bumberrah

3903

Swan Reach

3904

Metung

3909

Kalimna, Nyerimilang, Nungurner, Toorloo Arm, Lake Bunga, Kalimna West, Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyres Beach

3954

Koonwarra

Full list of eligible postcodes:

3018, 3023, 3024, 3027, 3029, 3030, 3038, 3048, 3059, 3063, 3064, 3096, 3106, 3116, 3137, 3140, 3153, 3156, 3173, 3179, 3180, 3197, 3198, 3201, 3211, 3212, 3216, 3217, 3218, 3219, 3221, 3222, 3223, 3224, 3225, 3226, 3227, 3228, 3230, 3231, 3232, 3235, 3240, 3241, 3275, 3281, 3282, 3283, 3284, 3286, 3287, 3321, 3328, 3329, 3330, 3331, 3332, 3333, 3334, 3335, 3337, 3338, 3340, 3341, 3342, 3345, 3351, 3352, 3357, 3360, 3363, 3364, 3370, 3377, 3427, 3428, 3429, 3430, 3431, 3432, 3433, 3434, 3435, 3437, 3438, 3442, 3444, 3446, 3450, 3451, 3453, 3458, 3460, 3461, 3467, 3498, 3500, 3515, 3523, 3550, 3551, 3555, 3556, 3557, 3558, 3570, 3607, 3608, 3630, 3658, 3631, 3663, 3664, 3665, 3666, 3669, 3677, 3685, 3687, 3690, 3695, 3697, 3698, 3699, 3711, 3712, 3713, 3714, 3715, 3717, 3719, 3720, 3722, 3723, 3730, 3740, 3741, 3744, 3747, 3749, 3750, 3752, 3753, 3754, 3755, 3756, 3757, 3758, 3759, 3760, 3761, 3762, 3763, 3764, 3770, 3775, 3777, 3778, 3779, 3782, 3783, 3803, 3804, 3805, 3806, 3807, 3808, 3809, 3810, 3812, 3813, 3814, 3815, 3816, 3818, 3820, 3821, 3822, 3823, 3824, 3835, 3844, 3850, 3851, 3858, 3859, 3860, 3862, 3864, 3865, 3871, 3875, 3878, 3880, 3882, 3895, 3896, 3898, 3900, 3902, 3903, 3904, 3909, 3910, 3911, 3912, 3913, 3915, 3918, 3919, 3922, 3923, 3925, 3926, 3927, 3930, 3931, 3933, 3934, 3936, 3938, 3939, 3941, 3942, 3943, 3944, 3945, 3946, 3950, 3951, 3953, 3954, 3975, 3976, 3977, 3978, 3979, 3980, 3981, 3984, 3987, 3988, 3990, 3991, 3992, 3995, 3996

February 21, 2020 By Rocky's Solar Leave a Comment

Buy Solar Local, Avoid Heartache

Rockys Solar CEC Accredited Electrician Brayden Granville installing solar in Gippsland.

State and Federal rebates have brought the cost of installing solar within the grasp of most home owners, but Brett Hekman, owner of Rockys Solar in Foster Street Sale, advises people proceed with caution.

Having decided to go with a cheap option offered by an out of town company, some home owners have recently been left high and dry months later because those companies couldn’t find anyone to actually install the solar system. After months of delay, Solar Victoria rebates expire and the home owner is left with no option but to cancel their rebate and apply again from scratch with another company, having learned the hard way, they turn to Rockys, a Gippsland Solar Retailer approved by the Clean Energy Council.

Problems before installation are only one of the issues with using companies that don’t have a well established presence in the local community.

“We get a high number of calls from people who have had solar installed by out of town companies,” Hekman says. “They promise the world but when something goes wrong they’re reluctant to travel back to Gippsland to fix it, and that leaves the customer to try and find a solution on their own.”

“Even worse, companies selling cheap solar often go out of business after a year or two leaving people with no warranty to fall back on.”

If you receive an offer for solar or battery storage that seems too good to be true, it often is and it’s wise to dig further. Buying solar can be overwhelming with so many different options available and it’s hard to compare one quote against another so it’s important to take your time and get reliable advice. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion from a company that has a good reputation in the local community.

Ask lots of questions and discuss what it is you want to gain from installing solar or adding battery storage. Do you want to cover your entire bill or are you more interested in the shortest payback period? Do you need your battery to allow your solar to keep working when the grid is down? Not all batteries do!

Never pay anything up front without getting full details of the proposed installation. Full details would include specific product brands, model numbers and qualities, along with performance and savings estimates and pre approval from AusNet Services. A trustworthy company will offer all of these things when providing you with a quote and before insisting on any money up front.

Solar and battery storage have the potential to offer many benefits and huge savings on your power bill but only if it’s done right. “Always get a quote from a local company” says Hekman, ”You’ve got nothing to lose and it could save a lot of heartache down the road.”

Request a quote from a solar retailer you can trust. Please enter your details in the quote form below and we will contact you to arrange an appointment.

Request a Solar Quote

December 2, 2019 By Rocky's Solar Leave a Comment

Off Grid Solar Powers Entire Village

Licola has gone Solar!

Rockys Solar have been so good to work with. There were many challenges presented by the remote location (That was once a river bed,) and without these people this project would not have run as smoothly as it has and it would not have delivered what it is going to deliver to Licola, which at the end of the day is a 90% saving in energy costs. The guys have done an amazing job.
–Tony Davis, CEO, Licola Wilderness Village

After 50 years of reliance on diesel generators, the remote village of Licola nestled in Wellington Shire’s high country in Victoria’s East has made the switch to renewable energy with the installation of a 165kW completely off grid solar system.

Providing power to all of Licola including the 35 acre Licola Wilderness Village (16 cabins, staff accommodation and common areas), CFA sheds, public toilet block, BBQ area, the store, Caravan Park and 3 residential homes. The off grid solar system was officially commissioned as part of the 50 Year Anniversary of the Licola Wilderness Village on Saturday November 23, 2019.

Removing dependence on CO2 producing diesel powered generators has allowed the Licola Wilderness Village live up to its nature-loving name. In addition to cutting emissions, the solar powered system allows residents and visitors to enjoy the peaceful and idyllic surrounds to the fullest, without the constant hum of noisy generators in the background.

Looking towards the future, solar was identified by the board of management as a financially viable project for the organisation. The idea of sustainable energy and reduced carbon footprint is hugely important the ultimate goal of the project is to protect Licola’s long term financial future .

Until the solar system was installed, the village was spending $135,000 in fuel and diesel maintenance annually. Expected to completely pay for itself in 6-7 years time, the solar installation moves the Village towards a secure future with uncapped potential for growth. The savings realised by the project will provide the ability to upgrade facilities and bring more of the special needs, disadvantaged and at risk children it supports to the village, including during the cold winter months, as they are now they are able to run reverse cycle air conditioners in all the cabins.

With monitoring set up in multiple locations on site, the solar system will also become an educational tool for children visiting the site.

About the Installation

The solar system installed at Licola is the largest Selectronic solar system in Australia.

The solar arrays are composed of 184 Sumec Phono Solar Twin Plus 380W Panels mounted on the gymnasium roof, with three Selectronic SelectSun 20kW inverters. Nearby, 288 Phono Solar Hyperion Diamond 330W panels are ground-mounted on the hillside with two Selectronic SelectSun 40kW inverters.

The solar generation is backed up by 120 Sonnenschein A602 3920AH sealed gel batteries weighing a massive 35 tonnes and stored in two insulated and air conditioned shipping containers.

Two of the existing generators will be kept on site and used occasionally when additional power is required.

Three Australian designed and manufactured Selectronic SP Pros form the brain of the solar system which is programmed to coordinate power throughout Licola. The Selectronic system incorporates both solar arrays and battery storage system and automatically kicks in the backup generators on the rare occasions they may be required. There are options to utilise different programs depending on the time of year and how many people are on site at the time.

Underground cables have been installed throughout the village, with 2 and a half tonnes of cables pulled up the very steep hill to the ground mount system, presenting quite a challenge for the installation team.

You can learn more about the project from the Licola Wilderness Village video below.

Licola is now Solar!
LICOLA IS NOW SOLAR!Our solar installation powering the entire town of Licola is now up and running!The attached video explains our system, and the benefits it will bring long term to all who visit to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Licola Wilderness Village, gateway to the Alpine National Park.
Posted by Licola Wilderness Village on Saturday, 23 November 2019

November 13, 2019 By Rocky's Solar Leave a Comment

Maximise Your Solar Rebates

Solar Rebates and incentives have created a high demand for solar installations over the past 12 months. Since the Solar Victoria rebate was introduced in August last year, 46,000 solar systems have been installed under the program, many of those installation have been in the Gippsland region. The Solar Victoria Battery rebate was also expanded to include some Gippsland locations this month. Right now, there has never been a better time to install solar with the up front cost of installing a 6.6kW system reduced by around $7,700, but from the 1st of January 2020 that will change.

There are several things you should be aware of if you are considering installing a solar system in the near future.

Here’s what you need to know.

Solar Victoria Rebate Reduction

There are changes coming for the Solar Victoria Solar PV rebate program. The number of rebates available per month as well as the amount of the rebate offered will both drop.

Since the program began the maximum amount for the rebate has been $2225 with an additional $2225 available as an optional interest free loan. As of January 1, 2020 the maximum rebate amount will drop to $1888 and from July 1, 2020 it will reduce further to $1850.

Those considering installing solar should plan to secure their Solar Victoria rebate before the final release for the year on December 17 to access the higher rebate amount. To make this happen, the first thing you need to do is arrange for a solar quote. Please fill in our quote application form (below) and include a copy of your latest electricity bill to ensure a faster turn around time. We will then contact you to discuss further and arrange an appointment with one of our estimators.

Details of the changes released by Solar Victoria are available below:

STCs Dropping

In addition to a reduction in the Solar Victoria rebates, the number of STCs available for solar installations drops on the 1st of January each year until the year 2030 when the program ends.

Every eligible solar system installed in Australia has an allocation of federal government issued Small Scale Technology Certificates. These certificates, known as STCs, are typically applied to your installation as an up front discount by your solar retailer. The STCs your solar installation is eligible for is based on the size of the system and how much power that system will generate between now and the year 2030. As a result, that amount drops every year we get closer to 2030.

Each STC has a value which fluctuates based on certificate trading on the open market. As an example, in 2019, a 6.6kW solar system is eligible for 93 certificates, if the current value is $35 that would mean a discount of $3,255 for the solar installation. In 2020, that same 6.6kW solar system is eligible for just 86 certificates so the discount drops to $3,010 which increases the cost of the solar installation by $245.

Get started now by filling in the form below and attach a copy of your latest electricity bill to expedite the process. We will contact you to arrange a quote.

Request a Solar Quote

November 1, 2019 By Rocky's Solar Leave a Comment

Battery Rebate Now Available in Gippsland

Solar Victoria announced today that they have expanded their Solar Battery Rebate program to include additional postcodes, some of those eligible areas are now located in the Gippsland Region.

Adding a battery like Tesla Powerwall to your solar system will give you the security of back up power during a grid outage as well as savings on your electricity bill.

The solar battery rebate is for an amount up to $4,838 which significantly reduces the cost of adding battery storage to your solar system.