The Nature Conservation Council of NSW urges Australian governments to commit to a national gross solar feed-in tariff.
“A solar feed-in tariff is a practical way for Australia to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and move towards a more sustainable, less coal-dependent energy future,” Cate Faehrmann, executive director of the Nature Conservation Council of NSW said today.
“Households have shown their strong support for solar energy with a bigger than expected surge in applications for the current rebate for solar panels. However, it is time governments helped take this popular support to the next level and provide financial incentives for returning solar-generated power to the grid.
“Our political leaders can empower ordinary people to help combat climate change by producing zero emissions power. A gross solar feed-in tariff could help turn community members and groups into mini clean energy providers.
“The most efficient way to get a substantial number of small-scale renewable energy generators connected to the grid is to replace the rebate system with a gross solar feed-in tariff. The current rebate system rewards solar panel installation regardless of the quality or working efficiency of these panels, but a feed-in tariff provides a direct incentive to maximise clean energy production with good systems.
“The Nature Conservation Council supports a solar feed-in tariff based on the gross amount of solar energy generated rather than net contributions to the grid. People should receive a powerful personal reward for generating and sharing energy obtained from sustainable sources.
“Victoria, South Australia and the ACT have all implemented feed-in tariffs – it is time NSW, and the rest of Australia, joined them in this renewable energy opportunity,” Ms Faehrmann said.
