Antinuclear

TasSolar managing director Nick Walker said he had 30 to 40 potential clients to see before Friday’s cutoff.

“I’m not going to get to everyone because you’ve got to talk to them, work out what to fit and do things properly,” Mr Walker said.

In an announcement about feed-in tariffs on August 18, Energy Minister Bryan Green set down the cut-off date for people who wanted to achieve the 1:1 feed-in tariff.

The 28c a kWh feed-in tariff will apply until December 2018 — but only for those existing owners or those who sign a contract and submit an application to Aurora before close of business on Friday.

I Want Energy managing director Rob Manson said his firm had never been so busy.

“We have had two weeks to book in 12 months worth of work,” Mr Manson said.

“In the last week, we have had in the vicinity of 400 inquiries.”

He said the company had adopted a creative solution.

“We are reviewing the roofline of houses on Google Earth, give a quote and sign a contract with them when they come into the showrooms,” he said.

Save Solar Tasmania spokesman Jack Gilding claimed the Government was trying to minimise numbers trying to get on to the existing scheme.

“There are also numerous ways people can get kicked off the 1:1 tariff — if they upgrade their system, sell their house, rent out their house, change the name on the electricity bill or are disconnected,” Mr Gilding said.

He said the short lead-time was causing people to make hasty decisions.

“They only have a few more days to find an installer, agree on a system size, sign a contract, pay a deposit and to get a connection application into Aurora if they want to get the 1:1 tariff,” he said.

Mr Gilding said anyone who missed the deadline or had missing details would receive only 8c a kWh for feed-in.

He said the group had not lobbied for an extension but said it would be good idea.

A spokesman for Mr Green said there had been no consideration given to an extension of time.