The Government’s reduction in the Solar Bonus Scheme tariff from 60c per kw/hour to 40c per kw/hour from July 1 has been labelled as “unjustified” and a setback for local industry.
The announcement last week by NSW Energy Minister Chris Hartcher of changes to the Solar Bonus scheme has not impressed local energy group Climate Change Australia—Hastings Branch.
Renewable energy spokesperson for the group, Stuart Watson, said last Friday will go down as ‘black Friday’ in the history of renewable energy in Australia.
“The Port Macquarie Hastings area has one of the highest take-up rates of solar rooftop power and hot water systems in the State. This has created millions of dollars of investment and hundreds of jobs, as well as training at local TAFE colleges,” Mr Watson said.
“Across NSW, there are 5000 jobs in the rooftop solar industry. The retrospective cancelling of the legislated feed-in-tariff contracts has now put these at risk.
“120,000 customers have made investments in these units from their own funds, based on a seven-year gross feed-in-tariff which pays above the standard kilowatt hour (kWh) rate.
“The benefits of solar rooftop power are that a kW/h of energy produced this way saves three to four times the amount of energy being burnt and wasted in a remote coal-fired power station.
“This more than compensates for the 1 per cent increase in power bills attributed to the scheme.
Mr Watson said this announcement follows the axing of the State’s solar hot water incentive and a reduction in the Federal Government’s Solar Credits scheme.
“This policy chaos is very bad for the local solar industry and we are seeking a meeting with State MP Leslie Williams to see what she has to say,” he said.
“We were under the impression that she supports renewable energy but, after this decision by her government, it is not clear.”
Country Labor Candidate for Port Macquarie Peter Alley said the Solar Bonus Scheme was successful in the Port Macquarie electorate, with many thousands of home owners taking up the opportunity to install solar panels on their rooves.
“This was done on the basis that the government had committed to pay 60c per kw/hour rebate until December 31, 2016,” he said.
“Despite there being no black hole in the State of the NSW Government finances, no downgrading of the NSW Government’s credit rating and no mandate to make these changes, the Government is proceeding to make this change.
“Those who have installed a 2 k/w system on their roof, outlaying many thousands of dollars,will be about $600 per year worse off.
Both Mr Alley and Climate Change Australia—Hastings Branch are calling on the Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams to take a stand on the issue and to outline what compensation will be provided to those residents and businesses who suffer financially as a result of thegovernment’s breach of good faith.
