Energy schemes reducing generation costs by €5m a year

B. Vella

Feb 18th 2010, 07:23

I am only 13 years old but even now i can tell you this with complete certainty: politics effect every single thing in this country probably every other country! i live in Zabbar where a few months ago the road was literally destroyed and re made "coincidentally" the road infront of our house and infront of many other shops and houses was finished only a few days if not the day before the council elections

Must we wait for an election every time we wish to get rid of a inconvenience?

also: as i was walking the short way from where they had stopped digging to my house, on a rainy day i was forced to walk in between two diggers in the mud! and that evening me and my father had to skip over many trenches just to get to our car! this problem had only been fixed when my father sent an email to someone who could help us, me and my sister had to walk through heavy machinery in the mud in our school uniform! would the problem have been solved if the election wasn't close?

Joseph Attard

Feb 17th 2010, 17:33

Very good point there Mr. Stephen Grech!

I own a penthouse, and would only allow solar water heater installations if their owners are ready to pay me an annual fee for the space they will be using, and another fee for getting someone once a year to move the installations for when I need to service my roof with liquid membrane.

Also some types of solar water heaters have an overflow whereby when they are boiliing hot, they release water out and onto the roof. Will the minister pay me for damages caused by this continous water coming out of solar water heaters?

I have a solar water heater myself and when it is windy, and this is not rare in malta, the solar water heater makes quite a bit of noise. I can accept the noise coming from my own installation, but having 3/4 other solar water heaters making a hell of a noise on my roof is a no no!

Joseph Brincat

Feb 17th 2010, 17:02

With all this savings going on, I wonder why we are having all the increases in tariffs.
I hope that the more poeple invest in solar systems the less the remaining poor consumers will have to pay for their electricity consumption.
Or will it be the other way round?

Stephen Grech

Feb 17th 2010, 10:49

While we are at it, I would suggest that the minister will also hold talks with the Attorney General to give access to those living in the upper floors to install a well in the yards/gardens of their neighbours. How about that?

It would be another environment friendly feather in the minister's cap/hat.

Joseph A Borg

Feb 17th 2010, 10:42

@ Joseph Grech: "Why should the scheme concerning the purchase of solar water heating systems be open to specific households in Malta but 'open to all Gozo residents'? "

A perfectly valid reason would be to alleviate the electrical consumption in Gozo.

joanna farrugia

Feb 17th 2010, 10:41

@ Joseph Grech its simple pn lost many votes from gozo and it was always their fortress so now they do everything to gain back those votes thats why all this favouritism.

Joseph Grech

Feb 17th 2010, 00:04

Why should the scheme concerning the purchase of solar water heating systems be open to specific households in Malta but ''open to all Gozo residents''? Any reasons for this approach?
Why this unacceptable barefaced discrimination? Was it imposed on the administration by the Minister for Gozo?
The Maltese are becoming really angry at the favouritism being repeatedly shown by the Cabinet towards Gozitans. It is obvious to all that this way of doing things is simply the result of the administration putting POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE ALL ELSE.
Unfortunately this blatant discrimination is a sure way to sow the seeds of pique and distrust between the Maltese and Gozitans.
I appeal to the administration to rethink its policy very carefully in this important issue. Votes gained in Gozo could mean more votes lost in Malta.

David Thake

Feb 16th 2010, 23:53

I must say that I am amazed by the Minister's interest in giving roof rights for energy saving equipment. I bought a Penthouse last summer and paid through the nose for the rights to the roof.

His statement has probably driven down Penthouse market prices already.

How does he propose to compensate us or is it only Bus Drivers who are entitled to compensation?

lgalea

Feb 16th 2010, 23:18

"He said that talks were being held with the Attorney General on amendments to the law so that tenants of apartments and flats could have access to the roof to install energy saving equipment, in the same way as they currently have a right to install a water tank and a TV aerial."

No Pullicino. You cannot create rights to third parties over private property unless the owners agree. And you belong to a party who didn't believe in Communism!!!!

Joanne Attard Baldacchino

Feb 16th 2010, 20:01

This newspaper has reported on 25th Jan 2010 that only just over half of the targeted number of households chose to take up the subsidy on solar water heaters. I would like to ask:

1) Why is the scheme on solar water heaters limited only to specific sectors of our society when others not eligile would be more than willing to apply, also considering that the funds for last year's scheme were not all used?

2) What happends to the funds not used up from last year's scheme?

Stephen Grech

Feb 16th 2010, 19:44

Now its the time perit to do the home visits not election time in your costituency. I can only bet on what kind of feedback you will receive from the tenants of penthouses.

I bet the minister does not live in a penthouse or top-floor apartment/maisonette.

n.camilleri

Feb 16th 2010, 19:32

@karl abela ... is there a chance to let me know what type of solar you have installed please because i have already changed 3 ( all different types) in 15years. And does the washing machine work in summer sun only or all year round please? thank you.

S. Zammit

Feb 16th 2010, 19:03

Some people below should stop whining since these queues are not due to the system, but due to the shops which cannot provide electronic receipts. So just start looking at the real world.... anything which sells hot results in queues so what do you expect when you can save 50% of the cost?

G Darmanin

Feb 16th 2010, 16:51

So first you have to pay a premium price to have a roof, then you have to spend money for maintenance (installing membrane, filling up cracks, painting it with expensive anti-mold paint, etc ...). In winter you also spend more money than your neighbour to keep it warm and in summer you spend more money than your neighbour to keep it cool. You also sign a legal contract stating that the only things that the neighbours can install is a water tank and a tv antenna!

Then one day your neighbours, those who have not paid any premium for the roof, those who never pay for its maintenance, those who dont have summer heat and winter cold affecting them as much as you, they come and install those gigantic PV and solar water heating systems on your private property! And thanks God that Malta is a fair and just society!

lgalea

Feb 16th 2010, 16:19

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100215/tbs-oil-price-drops-under-74-dollars-in-5268574.html
Oil price drops under 74 dollars in New York

Joseph Attard

Feb 16th 2010, 15:18

This is a farce. The govt cannot force you to install other people's solar water heaters on your own private roof. People buying apartments without roof space, knew what they were buying and cannot complain now. Solar water heater require maintenance and this will cause a great deal of inconvinience.

paul Mallia

Feb 16th 2010, 14:37

I cannot understand how the minister takes other peoples' property in his hands and does what the hell he likes with it. A) When I bought a penthouse I was immediately kept back from doing anything on the roof except the water tank as that is the only place that this can work, I ended up with sixteen others on my roof. B) I cannot use the roof of the penthouse for my own use as this is prohibited by MEPA and C) If anyone has any problems with his water tank which is situated close to mine (on my roof) he climbs up without even informing me. To add insult to injury NOW, D) The roof is to be taken off me to make good for other peoples' solars. This is sheer robbery! How about the people who are envisaging to buy a penthouse NOW? Will they buy it if they know that their privacy is NIL? And what does this mean to the contractor - DO NOT BUILD any further penthouses? Come on! This government must be taking us for a ride (as with everything else). Let's do something about it.

Karl Abela

Feb 16th 2010, 13:36

@Owen Vella
If I am living in coocoo land then you are living in whining land. I have owned the unit for 3 years and have benefitted from 24/7 hot water and financial savings...no maintenance at all. Besides, I didn't politicise the issue. The ones who did so are the ones who criticised the scheme just for the sake of being anti-government.

@Wayne caruana

It is evident that you have been ripped off. Many importers sell the solar w/heater without the programmable mini computer that should come with it so that they can sell it seperately and make more money. In return you are left with a car with no steering. I have done my mathematics for the past 3 years and the savings are for me to enjoy thank you very much...I even connected my washing machine to it...beat that!!!

P. Schembri

Feb 16th 2010, 13:11

@Anthony Dimech. I don't know what kind of solar heater you installed, but mine doesn't work like that. Mine was installed last June. The only time I had to switch on the water heater (geyser) was about 2 weeks ago, and only for a few hours. I've had boiling (!) water from my solar heater, especially the last few weeks without any complaints from my family. As I said, the water, even during cloudy days was near boiling point. And I have a family of 6.

CT Formosa

Feb 16th 2010, 12:54

He said that talks were being held with the Attorney General on amendments to the law so that tenants of apartments and flats could have access to the roof to install energy saving equipment, in the same way as they currently have a right to install a water tank and a TV aerial."

This is a very dangerous statement - for me it goes against the right of private property. When I've bought a top floor maisonette - I paid a premium price for the exclusive right to use my roof - already mepa has imposed on me that I cannot have any roof structures and accepted it but will never accept to install someone's else pv / solar heater and reduce my roof footprint and exclusive use.

PV systems should be installed on the roofs of all schools and governement buildings and their benefits should be enjoyed by the population in general

Y. Zammit

Feb 16th 2010, 12:53

Those who complain that their solar water heater does not do its job in the winter should better check with their installer. When ours was installed, the people doing the job remarked on the wrong position of the panels of some of our neighbours'. Getting the position right is critical for effectiveness when we have a low sun in winter.

Unfortunately, there are a few amateurs out there who do not do a good job and end up damaging the image of the effectiveness of solar water heaters.

C.ZARB

Feb 16th 2010, 12:52

So on one hand we expect owners to allow space on their roof to those PV monsters. On the other hand governmental buildings like Mater Dej does not have 1 PV installed on its roof. Vera pajjiz ta mickey mouse.

Stephen Grech

Feb 16th 2010, 12:26

Let's say there is a PV installation on top of a 2 storey building and an empty plot adjoining it. 2 years down the line the owner of the plot decides to build a 3 storey-build and penthouse because the law allows it.

How will the owner of the PV installation be protected from the loss of income or expenses incurred due to the blocking of sunlight/heat by the newly built block.

A. Borg

Feb 16th 2010, 12:21

Jien wahhalt wiehed is-sena l-ohra. Fis-sajf l-ilma jkun jahraq nar meta inridu kiesah u fix-xitwa ikun fietel meta nkun irridu jahraq! Ergajt dort ghall-geyser tal-elletriku!

G Darmanin

Feb 16th 2010, 12:17

"He said that talks were being held with the Attorney General on amendments to the law so that tenants of apartments and flats could have access to the roof to install energy saving equipment, in the same way as they currently have a right to install a water tank and a TV aerial."

What if the size of the roof space will allow for only one photovoltaic system and one solar water heater? Will in this case the owner of the roof have the right to use the roof (afterall he/she has paid more than the others for the property), or will the law of the Maltese jungle prevail?!!!

A. Vella

Feb 16th 2010, 12:10

I had applied for a grant last year. I must say that i found the PV system very efficient. whist congratulate our government for such a scheme I urge one and all to take up such a good offer.

Lawrence Mifsud

Feb 16th 2010, 11:53

How dare the Minister give the right to third parties to install such large installations on other's roof space? And, say, if I owed the roofspace on a block of six, eight. or more flats, how many pv panels must I allow to be installed? Sheer madness that will only increase neighbourly quarrels.

Joe Borg

Feb 16th 2010, 11:50

City Gate Project = Euro 80 million = 0 saving

Energy Saving Sceme = Euro 3.8 million = 5 million saving per year.

What are we doing wrong?

j.cutajar

Feb 16th 2010, 11:45

Government of queues. Malta is it a member of the European Union?

John Borg

Feb 16th 2010, 11:40

@Karl Abela

Then your beloved neighbors will build up another two storeys and you will be left with a useless gadget on the roof, 300 EUR less in your pocket and the usual electricity bill!!!

Alan Aquilina

Feb 16th 2010, 11:31

Why is it open to all Gozo residents and just to a small fraction of Maltese residents? Talk about discrimnation!!!!

Jesmond Farrugia

Feb 16th 2010, 10:38

Does this remind me of "buying" a colour TV waaaaay back in time??

M Grech

Feb 16th 2010, 10:27

Can someone please explain how "households in receipt of an energy voucher, households in receipt of social assistance" are in a position to buy a solar water heater or a photovoltaic system. This is itself should trigger an investigation by the competent authorities. Is this the poverty line much referred to lately?

Roger Eler

Feb 16th 2010, 10:24

What's the use of installing PV cells if nowadays no developer is giving permits to install one on the roofs? Penthouses make more money :)

If the government wants people to make really good use of PV technology, he must stop property developers from inhibiting permits, this penthouse craze must stop!

Its about time somebody stops these abuse! PV Technology is limited to people that own terraced houses or own the roof...

Owen Vella

Feb 16th 2010, 10:14

@K Abela
Reading your comment I dont know if I should cry or laugh. Why we always have to politicised everything in these small island.
Have you taken in considaration that not everyone can afford to pay that amount of money upfront. Taken in account that who ever live in an old building has to pay nearly 250 euro for the solar water heater to stand on. Without mentioning the maintenance you need to do on them each year.
Obviously not, I think you leave in CooCoo land!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

wayne caruana

Feb 16th 2010, 10:05

@karl Ablea we have installed the solar water heater last year, from experience I can tell you that it really boils you in summer when you need it cold and not hot at all during these months, being a family of seven although we got the one adviced we are taking it in turns to get a shower, three of us every day, now we are swithching on the electirc geyser 2 hours before so we all can get a decent wash, thats for progress! I think your mathematics are flawed big time!

k Galea

Feb 16th 2010, 10:01

This Scheme should be open to all ! since the bills went up for all ! If this scheme is intended to reduce carbon footprint then every one should be entitled to this grant.

it seems to me that the poverty line in Malta is stretching it self to the core middle class and if something is not done fast enough this will become a reality in the next 10 years.

Jesmond Farrugia

Feb 16th 2010, 09:58

It is clear that there is a demand for renewable energy which is supported by EU grants. There should be more grants made available, the EU funds are there (€300M)

Anthony E Portelli

Feb 16th 2010, 09:47

This scheme should be open all year round..

Karl Abela

Feb 16th 2010, 09:25

Whoever complains of a high bill can now only put the blame on himself.

Whoever hasnt taken advantage of these incentives didn't do so for none other than political reasons so as to keep on whining about a high electricity bill. A simple solar water heater job will set you back just 300 euros... it will consume NIL energy yet produce higher volume and hotter water than a normal geyser and you will save the equivalent of the cost in just over 1 year.

Martina Borg

Feb 16th 2010, 09:16

This is typical of a third world country with a third world government! It's the authorities who should go to the people to give out such grants on energy-saving projects not vive-versa.

John Zammit

Feb 16th 2010, 09:04

@ J Gambin

No, they couldn't. Because otherwise, politicians would not be able to boast of the effect their "schemes" had.

David Borg

Feb 16th 2010, 08:56

Are we truly leading the way in e-governmnet? Why wasn't the application available online? It is time for local citizens to be given an official email address @gov.mt and use it as official correspondence with the government.

G. Grech

Feb 16th 2010, 08:53

@ J Gambin

Grants are supposed to be on first-come-first-served basis. Probably, the demand will be much greater than the supply.

charlie

Feb 16th 2010, 08:44

why all the queuing? ara vera....qishom tal lidl eh

J Gambin

Feb 16th 2010, 08:21

This is 2010- does one have to queue like this to get or apply for a subsidy- unbelievable- couldnt the applications be sent by post or online ?