Home: Renewable Energy News: Friday 14 August, 2009

Renewable Energy News

FRIDAY 14 AUGUST, 2009 |

Australia's Solar Power Rebates Reinstated Next Week?

Solar Credits program possible next week

After the defeat of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in Australia's Parliament yesterday; solar power supporters and the Australian solar industry were in an uproar over the implications for not only the environment, but solar rebates and employment prospects in the industry.

The CPRS consisted of two major elements; the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and the Renewable Energy Target (RET). As the Solar Credits program, which provides financial incentives for the purchase of solar power systems, is a part of the RET; the bill's failure to pass meant a continued stalling to funding being made available for the program. The Solar Credits scheme applies a multiplier system to existing renewable energy certificate levels that accompany a solar array; slashing thousands of dollars off the cost of the system.

The stall on rebates only applies to grid connect and off grid solar power - generous rebates for solar hot water continue to remain available.

However, Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne has said the defeat of what she calls the "Continue Polluting Regardless Scheme" provides an opportunity to still move ahead on climate action immediately.

A letter from the Greens to the Rudd government calls on the Prime Minister and Climate Change Minister to commence discussions immediately regarding passing the Renewable Energy Target legislation component on Monday, moving towards a national, gross feed-in tariff and a range of other measures.

According to a report on the ABC, the prospect of decoupling the RET legislation, the contents of which all major parties agree upon, is a possibility, with Small Business Minister Craig Emerson telling Q and A that the government will consider decoupling the bills.

The decoupling of the bills is not a complex process; so the Australian Government will be under a great deal of pressure to do so. By not passing the RET separately and immediately, it will be seen to be failing to take action on climate change where it is possible and where policies already have bi-partisan support.

Energy Matters will continue to closely monitor the situation and will provide updates in our news section as new information regarding the status of the Solar Credits program becomes available.