According to the Clean Energy Council, Australia’s Renewable Energy Target bill has been deferred until at least August 2009.
The situation is the result of a motion to refer the bill to committee by Family First Senator Stephen Fielding and supported by the coalition and Senator Nick Xenephon. Labor and the Greens opposed the motion. Senator Xenophon had indicated earlier this week that he didn’t envision the legislation passing in its current form by the winter break.
This means there is continuing uncertainty regarding the passage of the RET bill and its component measures, in particular the solar credits scheme which has replaced the previous $8,000 solar energy rebate.
While it’s still fully expected that the solar credits aspect will be passed, the question now is when. Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Matthew Warren said a short time ago that hundreds of employees in the Australian solar PV industry face immediate layoffs as a direct result of today’s decision by the Senate to defer the government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) bill.
With many home solar power companies offering the solar credits rebate as a point of sale discount, after this news providers may balk at continuing to do so; preferring to wait until the legislation has passed.
However, national solar power company Energy Matters have said at this point they will continue to offer solar credits inclusive prices on systems based on the assumption the legislation will pass after further debate shortly after parliament reconvenes.
Last week, the Federal Government faced harsh criticism from the Opposition and the Greens for attempting to link the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme with the new Solar Credits program; which is part of the new Renewable Energy Target legislation.
