This may also be part of the reason for todays jump?Renewable...

This may also be part of the reason for todays jump?


Renewable Energy News
MONDAY 01 NOVEMBER, 2010

http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=1146

NSW Solar Slap Re-ignites Call For National Feed-in Tariff

by Energy Matters

Solar power feed in tariff - Australia
The NSW Government's decision to reduce the rates paid under its generous solar power feed in tariff program, the Solar Bonus Scheme, has strengthened the case for a national, uniform system.

The reduction in payment from 60c per kilowatt hour to just 20c for new connections has seen some NSW households give up on the dream of reducing their electricity costs and household greenhouse gas emissions by installing a solar power system.

While the New South Wales government says the new rate will be locked in until 2012 before another review, the Opposition says that if it is elected in March 2011, it will have the scheme reviewed by the auditor-general so that it can decide on its fate. The Opposition recently stated it wanted to axe the Solar Bonus Scheme for new connections altogether.

Master Electricians Australia (MEA), the leading peak body for the Australian electrotechnology industry, has called for uniform solar feed-in tariffs across Australia, stating that sudden changes to the schemes discourage home owners and electrical businesses installing solar power systems.

According to MEA chief executive Malcolm Richards, "We need to move to a moderate, gross feed-in tariff across Australia, to ensure a sustainable long-term future for solar incentive schemes."

The shock announcement from the New South Wales government last week is by no means an isolated incident. Over the last few years, multiple solar power rebates and incentives programs have been axed or substantially changed with little or no warning - and at both a State and Federal level.

Further complicating matters, Australia's approach to solar feed-in tariff programs to date has been piecemeal. Each state has its own system, ranging from paying only the market rate for surplus electricity produced by a home solar power system, to payments of up to 60 cents per kilowatt hour for all electricity generated; such as was the case in New South Wales.

The fractured system and the nature of the legislation in each case has caused great inequity between states, along with confusion and uncertainly among consumers and industry.

The push for a national gross feed in tariff; one that pays for all electricity produced by a renewable energy system, has been occurring for years and the concept appears to be well supported by the people of Australia.

In 2008, Greens Deputy Leader Senator Christine Milne submitted a private bill for a national gross feed-in tariff and although the bill was supported in principle by a Senate Committee and sent to COAG for consideration, very little progress has been made since.

National solar power solutions provider Energy Matters launched an online petition in early 2009 calling for a national, uniform gross feed in tariff. The petition gathered over 17,000 during the first few months and the results were tabled in Parliament by Senator Milne.

Energy Matters says that since the announcement regarding changes to the Solar Bonus Scheme, there has been a spike in signatures from New South Wales residents who have been angered by the changes. Energy Matters' petition has now gathered over 21,000 signatures. The petition can be viewed at FeedInTariff.com.au