Antinuclear

Rural Australia’s enthusiasm for solar and for feed-in tariff

“A sensibly designed scheme would make Australia a world leader in solar power.”…The feed-in tariff scheme’s cancellation comes despite huge interest in solar power across the State.

Wanted: sensible solar, The Land RICHARD FOX, 21 May, 2011  “…….“Australia has an excellent resource for solar, particularly west of the Dividing Range, and consumers have an enthusiasm for renewable energy.

“……Cancellation of the scheme could even be unlawful, says NSW Greens MP, John Kaye…….“A sensibly designed scheme would make Australia a world leader in solar power.”

All projects cancelled by State Government must be announced in the NSW Government Gazette – which Mr Hartcher had failed to do.

“The minister didn’t put any notice in the Gazette, he can’t change the law by a media release,” Mr Kaye said.

The scheme’s over-popularity had led to its downfall, which showed a desire across the State from households to move towards renewable energies, he said.

“Solar is going to play a key role in the future of the NSW economy, and we need legislation to lock in a tariff and a commitment not to mess with that legislation.

The situation for smaller solar companies is in stark contrast to the boom across the State for large-scale solar farms.

A number of the latter – including projects at Moree, Nyngan and Bungendore – have been given the go-ahead this year as large-scale solar power generation steps up a gear.

The feed-in tariff scheme’s cancellation comes despite huge interest in solar power across the State.

A recent study by the Clean Energy Council found Alstonville and Dubbo to be among the top five towns nationally to take-up solar energy.

In Astonville, on the Far North Coast, 11.9 per cent of homes are solar powered, with 9.97pc of Dubbo homes also connected.

The study proved wrong the assumption that solar power was only popular with wealthy, inner-city households, Matthew Warren, chief executive of Clean Energy Council, said.

“It’s a common misconception that household solar panels are popular in our capital cities and exclusive suburbs, and not in rural and regional Australia or working class neighbourhoods,” he said.

“Tariffs and rebates have done a good job of leading many typical Australian households to the conclusion that switching to solar makes economic and environmental sense.”…

Wanted: sensible solar – State News – Agribusiness and General – General – The Land

May 21, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | New South Wales, solar | solar