In recent weeks we’ve been reporting on the threat to the Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme (RRPGP), an initiative that provides up to a 50% rebate on off grid solar power and wind energy systems for rural Australia.
Funding for the RRPGP rebate has been rapidly running out and without additional funding in the budget on 12th May 2009, the program was said to “only a matter of months” to run.
A solar industry source in Tasmania reported on the weekend that in Tasmania, RRPGP funding has already been halted. Advice forwarded in the last fortnight to local installers from the State’s RRPGP administrator advises “there is a temporary halt on approving new applications whilst financial matters are negotiated with the Commonwealth.”
The Tasmania solar industry is set to endure difficult times, according to the source. With the $8,000 grid connect solar rebate ending soon and little prospect of an effective feed-in tariff being introduced to help offset the lower-incentive solar credits program that will commence on July 1, Tasmania is now also threatened with the prospect of losing support for remote power systems as well.
The issue in Tasmania also poses the unsettling question – which state will be next?
