National solar solutions provider Energy Matters has thrown its support behind a rally convened by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Australian Solar Energy Society (auSES ) to protest the NSW Government’s decision to slash the state’s feed-in tariff, the Solar Bonus Scheme.
The rally will be held tomorrow, Thursday November 4 at Sydney Town Hall from 10am.
According to the SEIA and auSES, the decision by the NSW government to reduce the feed-in tariff from 60c to 20c per kilowatt hour for new connections has underestimated the impact on the solar industry.
The organisations say the NSW government has “swung the axe too hard” and in the process, has also damaged their green credentials. Some solar power businesses in the state are reporting they have lost 80 to 90% of their work, and staff have already been laid off.
The groups say slashing the feed-in tariff rate for rooftop solar will save around $1.40 per household per week, but it will cost jobs, hurt the solar industry and greatly reduces an important incentive for New South Wales households to reduce their carbon emissions.
auSES and SEIA say all stakeholders must find a middle ground to deliver a fair feed-in tariff and have already been in discussions with Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Greg Combet’s office, the Opposition and the NSW Greens.
The rally will attract solar supporters and industry representatives from throughout the nation. Aside from being a major sponsor and lending its voice to the rally, Energy Matters’ news team will be in attendance to report on the event.
