MASH-wide news Archives - MASH: Community Solar

MASH Community Bonus for Tarnagulla Urban Fire Brigade – April 2022

The Tarnagulla community is very excited about the recent installation of solar power system and battery storage at its local fire station thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Foundation for Regional and Rural Renewal fund, a $5,000 MASH Community Bonus, and local community fund-raising. Captain George Filev notes that Tarnagulla is in a high risk fire zone, the threat of which will only increase with the onset of climate change. The Tarnagulla community is keen to rise to the challenge and put measures in place to increase its capacity to adapt and provide resilience during emergency events should the electricity grid go down.

“For [these] reasons it was decided to install a solar and battery backup system to support the Tarnagulla Brigade to function during major power disruptions. This will offer the town residents a source of renewable power to charge communication devices and … provide a place of connection during extended heat waves and emergency events.” (Quote from Captain George Filev, Fire Wise, June 2022, p.4 https://fire-wise.com.au)

1st Lieutenant Kelly Whitton, Captain George Filev, and Han Read in front of the battery storage installed with support from CVGA’s MASH program.

Installer for Bulk-Buy Programs

Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance (CVGA), the not-for-profit organizer of the Bulk-Buy programs, has appointed Specialized Solar & Electrical as the Solar Retailer and Installer for the central and northern Victorian region.

Who is Specialized Solar & Electrical?

Specialized Solar & Electrical is a Clean Energy Council (CEC) Accredited Solar Retailer, CEC Accredited Installer and Registered Electrical Contractor with Energy Safe Victoria.

Specialized Solar has been in the Australian solar industry for many years as part of the Specialized Heating & Cooling Group, which was established in 2000. Now, Specialized Solar is a Melbourne-based family business with six offices in Victoria and NSW.

Specialized Solar is fully accredited to supply, install and maintain the following types of systems:

grid-connect solar panel systems
grid-connect battery storage systems including Powerwall
off-grid systems
commercial solar power systems of any size.

The company employs accredited CEC Installers and A-Grade Electricians, as well as a sizeable customer service team.

Specialized Solar utilizes in-house installers and electricians as well as CEC Accredited Installers throughout the central and northern Victorian region.

Why were Specialized Solar & Electrical selected?

The CVGA operates a competitive tender process to select the Solar Retailer and Installer for its solar bulk-buys which include the Hepburn Solar Bulk-Buy, MASH (More Australian Solar Homes), Mallee Sun Solar Bulk-Buy and the Brimbank Community Solar Program.

As part of the tender process, the CVGA evaluates solar companies across a range of criteria including:

Financial track record
Customer service
Panel and inverter quality
Duration of warranties
Value for money
Accreditations
Compliance with industry best-practice
Installation quality

Specialized Solar & Electrical were selected through tender for the Mallee Sun Solar Bulk-Buy and Brimbank Community Solar Program in 2019 and 2021 respectively.

When the incumbent solar retailer for the MASH bulk-buy and Hepburn bulk-buy decided to withdraw towards the end of 2021 due to internal business reasons, the CVGA decided to extend the scope of Specialized Solar’s program delivery to include all bulk-buy programs. This was based on Specialized Solar’s strong track record on the other programs and excellent feedback from customers.

Benefits to Bulk-Buy Participants

Choosing Specialized Solar & Electrical to install solar panels or battery system through the Bulk-Buy programs provides you with these benefits:

Quality components
Industry-leading warranties
Value for money
Excellent customer service
Help with rebates
Expert advice
Hassle-free installation
Free after-sales service

An explanation of each of these benefits is provided below.

1. Quality components

No matter what system you purchase through the bulk-buy programs, you can be assured of its quality. All solar panels, inverters and batteries are quality checked by the CVGA, comply with relevant Australian standards and are approved by the Clean Energy Council and the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes Program. This is important if you plan to apply for a government rebate.

For solar panels, this means Tier 1 panels from a solar manufacturer with an Australian customer support office. For solar inverters, it means compliance with the strictest safety standards in the industry backed by excellent after-sales support from the manufacturer’s Australian customer service office. And when it comes to batteries, it means nothing less than full black-out protection!

2. Industry-leading warranties

When you’re spending thousands on a new solar system, you want to know that you’re getting excellent warranties, with no catches.

If you purchase a solar panel or battery system through the Bulk-Buy program, you can rest assured knowing that you’re getting top-notch warranties on system components and workmanship – as well as an industry-beating performance guarantee for total peace of mind.

Here is a list of the warranties on a solar system, the industry standard for each warranty – and what is provided through the Bulk-Buy program.

Type of warranty	Industry standard	Warranty provided through the Bulk-Buy program
Solar inverter warranty	5 years	15 years
Solar panels product warranty	10 years	15 years
Solar panels performance warranty	25 years	25 years
Workmanship warranty (provided by installer)	1-2 years	15 years (provided by Specialized Solar)
Whole-of-system performance guarantee (provided by installer)	Not provided	15 years minimum (provided by Specialized Solar)
Battery product warranty	10 years	15 years

A note on the performance guarantee: A major advantage of buying a solar system through the Bulk-Buy program is that it comes with a system performance guarantee. This is exceptional in the solar industry.

Provided by Specialized Solar, this guarantee provides total peace of mind that your solar system will generate the power it’s supposed to over a minimum period of 10 years. It is based on the number of kilowatt hours of electricity that your solar system should produce in the first year. This will be shown in the quote you receive from Specialized Solar.

If your solar system doesn’t produce the power it’s meant to, you will be compensated for any loss caused by the shortfall in solar electricity generation i.e., higher electricity bills. More importantly, your system will be rectified at no cost to you.

3. Value for money

Any solar or battery system provided through the Bulk-Buy program provides excellent value for money. Whilst prices will not be the cheapest, that’s a good thing in our opinion.

Why is that?

The reason is many of low-cost solar operators undercut the market, shaving their margins to the bone. Whilst this strategy may work in the short-term, longer term they are unlikely to have the financial resources to service warranty claims.

Since 2011, over 750 solar installers have gone into liquidation, had a change in trading conditions or simply stopped trading. Assuming each of these companies operated for four years installing 250 systems a year, that comes to over 750,000 Australian solar panels systems that are no longer supported by the solar installation company.

You don’t want your solar system to end up an orphan, with zero support.

The best way to protect yourself from this happening is to select a solar company that’s financially solid and has been in business for at least 5 to 10 years. That way you can have a reasonable level of confidence that if you need to make a claim, they’ll be on the other end of the phone ready to help you. We’ve checked out the trading records of Specialized Solar and we know they are financially strong – so that’s a big tick in our books!

When it comes to comparing prices with other solar companies, you’ll find that systems through the Bulk-Buy program compare favourably. Don’t forget to compare apples with apples – including panel and inverter brands, warranties and overall system guarantees.

Plus, with the Bulk-Buy program, we put one per cent of the value of each system sold into a kitty which is distributed to local community groups in the form of free solar. We’ve already installed 20 community solar systems in the central and northern Victorian region! Get in touch if you are involved with a community group that could benefit from solar.

4. Excellent customer service

The CVGA regularly surveys solar bulk-buy participants to check on the levels of service provided by the appointed Solar Retailer and Installer. Feedback from participants who’ve had a system installed by Specialized Solar & Electrical through our bulk-buy programs has been exceptionally positive.

Here are some testimonials from solar bulk-buy customers who had a system installed by Specialized Solar & Electrical:

“Specialized Solar & Electrical were great and made the whole process really easy.” – Stephanie W., Avoca

“We’re delighted with the results of our two solar systems. Specialized Solar deserve a medal! I cannot speak highly enough of them.” – David B., Nyah

“Dealing with Specialized Solar & Electrical was really good. They made everything quick and easy.” – Patricia F., Donald

“The customer service team were very helpful and made the process straightforward. They helped us with the application for the Solar Victoria Panels rebate as well, which we appreciated.” – Denis T., Beaufort

5. Help with rebates

Most people getting solar or a battery are keen to know if they quality for government rebates. Whilst getting the Federal Government solar panel rebate – known as Small-scale Technology Certificates – is straightforward assuming you are installing approved products through an approved installer, the Victorian Government’s solar rebates require an application process.

Specialized Solar can help customers apply for the Victorian Government’s solar panels and battery rebates. Whilst they are not allowed to apply on a customer’s behalf, they can provide you with advice and support on the entire process, from start to finish.

6. Expert advice

Solar can be confusing. There’s so much choice and so many different decisions to make. That’s why through the Bulk-Buy program we offer a series of information meetings throughout the central and northern Victorian region with expert presenters from Specialized Solar and CVGA.

These meetings are a great way to learn more about solar and battery storage, find out what’s on offer through the bulk-buy, and to get answers to your questions.

Phone-based advice is also freely available – both from the bulk-buy organizing team on 1300 466 274 – as well as through Specialized Solar when you complete an enquiry form.

7. Hassle-free installation

Service-level commitments have been put in place between the CVGA and Specialized Solar to ensure customer installations are completed within a reasonable time, typically 6 weeks from date of order.

In addition, the CVGA has service level guarantees for how long it should take for Specialized Solar to provide the necessary paperwork to the various third parties, i.e.:

the network distributor,
the independent electrical inspector
your electricity retailer.

For Bulk-Buy participants, this means a guarantee that your system will be installed in a timely fashion with all necessary paperwork completed quickly and professionally. There’s also the reassurance knowing that, in the rare event that your installation doesn’t go to plan, you can get in touch with the CVGA to expedite matters for you.

8. Free after-sales support

All systems purchased through the Bulk-Buy program come with an industry-leading performance guarantee and free post-installation services. This ensures your solar and/or battery works as promised.

Specialized Solar & Electrical will check three times in the first year that your system is working properly. They’ll also check that it is producing the amount of power it is supposed to. If there’s a problem, they’ll fix it at no cost to you.

Here are the free services and additional warranties (over and above those on the system components) that you’ll get if you purchase any system through the Bulk-Buy program:

Workmanship warranty: 15 years
Whole-of-system performance guarantee: 10 years
Remote system monitoring & alerts: free
Post installation system checks:
3-month check (by phone): free
6-month check (site visit): free
12-month system check (by phone): free

A recommended maintenance schedule will be included in the customer pack you receive on installation. This will include details on how often you should get your system checked and the panels cleaned (although of course, many people do this themselves). Specialized Solar can provide these services on request. You are under no obligation to purchase these services from Specialized Solar; it is entirely up to you!

Keen to find more?

To find out more about the Bulk-Buy program and request a quote, visit mash.org.au or call 1300 466 274. You can also find details of upcoming information meetings throughout the central and northern Victorian region here.

Talking Solar in Beaufort

Have you thought about going solar but looking for more information?

Find out more about Solar and Battery Storage

Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance in partnership with Pyrenees Shire Council are holding an online community information meeting on Wednesday 25 August from 6.00-7.00pm.

Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance’s Jo Kaptein said that anyone thinking about ‘going solar’ or adding battery storage to their home or business is invited to join the online meeting.

“This session will provide attendees with the information they need to decide whether now is a good time to get solar installed or to invest in a battery,” she said.

Ms Kaptein said the evening presenters were from solar and battery bulk-buy – MASH (More Australian Solar Homes) – which is owned and organised by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance.

Why MASH?

“MASH aims to encourage the uptake of more solar in the region, helping residents cut their electricity bills and reduce CO2 emissions,” she said.

“With Government Solar Rebates available for households, rental properties and small businesses, now really is a good time to go solar,” said Ms Kaptein. “With the right system, many households are realising a payback of 3-5 years on their solar system. 9-5 businesses can do even better with a payback period sometimes as short as two years.”

Ms Kaptein said that community groups can also benefit with one percent of bulk-buy revenues being distributed to not-for-profit groups in the region in the form of free solar.

Customer Testimonials

Already residents in the area have gone ahead with solar through the program and have reported good results.

Beaufort resident Denis Thurgood who had a 5.92kW solar system installed in April through MASH said, “The customer service team at MASH’s solar retailer were very helpful and made the process straightforward. They helped us with the application for the Solar Victoria Panels rebate as well, which we appreciated.”

Avoca resident Stephanie Wardlaw who also had a 6.66kW solar system in the same month through MASH said, “MASH’s solar installer – Matt – was professional and friendly. He and his team arrived early, as planned, and got the job done in one day. The solar panels look great!”

To register for this online event, visit https://bit.ly/3AOYOW3

To learn more about MASH visit mash.org.au or call 1300 466 274.

Castlemaine Battery Storage Meeting

If you are thinking about adding battery storage to your home solar system, there’s an opportunity to learn more at an event online via Zoom on Tuesday 20 July.

Hosted by the Castlemaine-based MASH community solar bulk-buy, this session is designed to equip ‘would-be’ battery owners with the information they need to decide whether battery storage is right for their circumstances.

“It is fantastic to know that 100% of our power needs are now met by our 6.6 kW solar and Powerwall battery system,” Ian Temby, Ashbourne

“With the recent power outages in the Dandenongs, we’ve seen the level of interest in batteries increase”, said MASH organiser Jo Kaptein. “People are telling us they want to protect their homes from a major outage. They have lots of different reasons why. For example, some have medical equipment they rely on which needs continuous power, others are running businesses where they can’t afford their equipment or computers to be offline.”

“Even though batteries are still expensive – even with the State Government rebate – many people are investing in them in order to get that energy security,” said Jo.

“Currently the battery rebate is worth up to $4,174 for eligible households but once the current allocation has gone, then the rebate will drop to $3,500. There’s only 1,000 rebates left at the higher value and we are expecting that they will go soon.”

The MASH bulk-buy is a project of the not-for-profit Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance which is based in Castlemaine.

To register for the meeting, please call the MASH team on 1300 466 274 or visit the MASH website at mash.org.au

Get Energy Savvy this Winter by Jo Kaptein, MASH organiser

Powerpal – a great way to get in control of your electricity spending

We all want to be warm and comfortable in winter. If you’re like me, you’ll also be keen to keep your energy bills under control.

Free electricity monitoring device

Through the MASH solar bulk-buy, we are offering a free electricity monitoring device – called Powerpal – to all new customers. I got one installed at my Castlemaine home to see how it works and I have to say that it’s great!

Powerpal shows how much electricity you are buying from the grid in real-time. It’s perfect for any household with a mains electricity connection; it doesn’t matter whether or not you have solar.

Despite working in solar, I’m not an electricity nerd. I like Powerpal because I can take a quick look at the app on my phone and see how much electricity I’m using right now, or for any time period – and what it’s costing me.

Switch off at the wall!

It also shows how much electricity is used on “always-on appliances”. These are appliances that use power even when they’re not being actively used, i.e. TV, games consoles, fridges etc. Older appliances can use a surprising amount of power – for instance a large old fridge can cost you $500 a year to run. The classic beer fridge could be costing you more than you think! (So it’s a good idea to switch them off at the wall).

How to get your Powerpal

Through MASH, you’ll get a Powerpal installed when you confirm your order. Plus, if you request a solar panels clean/system maintenance check through us, we’ll offer you the Powerpal as a freebie. If you aren’t ordering a MASH system and want one anyway, get in touch as we can get it installed for a small fee (covering the installation call-out).

A member of the installation team will set the device up on your switchboard and get the app set up. The whole thing takes around 15 minutes. That’s it – no ongoing costs, just an easy tool to get you more energy savvy!

Find out more

To find out more call MASH on 1300 466 274.

By Jo Kaptein, Program Lead, MASH community solar bulk-buy organised by the Central Victorian Greenhouse Alliance, a not-for-profit based in Castlemaine

Beat the 30 June Rebate Cut

The much-anticipated cut in the value of the solar and battery rebates through the Victorian Government’s Solar Homes program has just been announced. From 1 July, the value of solar and battery rebates for households will be reduced as follows:

Solar panels rebate for homeowners

Currently worth up to $1,850, the solar panels rebate for homeowners will drop in value to $1,400 from July 1, 2021. There are still 7,356 solar panels rebates left in the current allocation through to 30 June (as of 21/6/2021). Whilst that sounds like a lot, we expect that most – if not all – of these rebates will be allocated.

Solar panels interest-free loan

This is worth up to the same amount as the solar panels rebate (ie. $1,850). From 1 July, it will drop to $1,400. The loan is repayable either over a four year period or sooner, as a lump sum. It’s a great way to reduce the upfront cash outlay for a new solar system.

Solar battery rebate

Currently worth $4,174, this rebate for homeowners is proving popular with only 1,909 remaining before the 30 June deadline. From 1 July, it will drop to $3,500. It’s important to be aware that you can’t get both the solar panels rebate AND the solar battery rebate – it’s one or the other (eligibility criteria apply).

Solar panels rebates for rental properties

The value of this rebate is the same as the solar panels rebate for homeowners, i.e. $1850 – and the drop in value from 1 July will be the same. There are only 608 rental rebates remaining at the higher value. There is also an interest-free loan available for the same amount as the rebate.

Solar panels rebates for businesses

This rebate was launched in May 2021. It is worth up to $3,500 to cover 50 per cent of the cost of a solar system for eligible small businesses. It will remain at this value until the current allocation of rebates runs out. It will then drop to $1,750. The program launched with 5,000 rebates. There are now 2,118 left – so we expect these to go fast too!

Beat the rebate deadline

There is still time to apply for the solar panels and battery rebates. You simply need to get in touch with the MASH bulk-buy organisers and request a quote as soon as possible. Our solar retailers are standing by ready to help you with your application. As the supply of rebates is finite we highly recommend that you don’t delay!

To request an obligation-free quote through our bulk-buy program either:

Call us on 1300 466 274
Click here to complete the online form

Of course, if you aren’t ready to apply for a rebate by 30 June don’t worry. Solar is still a great investment for most Victorian households even when the value of the panels rebate drops from the 1st of July. Plus, it is still heavily subsidised by the Federal Government through the Small-scale Technology Certificates which are available for all eligible solar power systems up to 100kW in size.