Will 2013 bring some stability to the solar industry?
What’s the one factor that most solar fans will ask from our elected representatives as we cast our eyes towards 2013? The answer of course will vary according according to circumstances. Some may ask for more focus on other forms of large scale solar power such as concentrated solar power, others may call for increased investment in solar research and development. Still more may call for an expansion of present solar programs; you know the ones that always seem to be under the threat of cutbacks.
Me? Well this humble scribbler would ask for an end to solar power uncertainty across the nation. This may not sound like much but in my humble opinion it is the uncertainty behind our state and federal pollies’ policies that drive the “boom and bust” cycles that are so damaging to the solar power sector.
We all know the score: a new state government (usually conservative) takes office and, contrary to the usually glacially slow movement of state politics, immediately whips out the knife, machete or chainsaw (yes looking at you Campbell “No Can Do” Newman) and immediately cuts a swathe through solar programs and feed-in tariffs.
The result is that no government solar program is guaranteed and solar investors are always (understandably) jittery about putting money into solar schemes. Or investments are made with a short term view on the principle that a change in government will bring an about face in policy: the “boom and bust” cycle so familiar to the solar sector.
Perhaps as we’ve discussed in other articles it is best for solar supporters not to rely on government programs and generous feed-in tariffs compensation in the knowledge that they will be stripped away.
As regular readers will know we’ve been banging on about this uncertainty in the solar marketplace for a while but we are not alone it seems.
The trend in many opinion pieces about solar energy appears to trend towards asking the state and federal governments for nothing less than fairness in the energy sector. Many in the renewable energy sector see the withdrawal of support for renewables such as solar as unfair given the continued, sometimes covert, support for fossil fuel energy.
That level playing field (to use a hackneyed phrase), combined with an end to the solar uncertainty principle would be a grand start to the New Year don’t you think readers? Perhaps the only way our elected representatives will listen in an election year is through demonstrations, petitions and constant contact with our pollies?
Speaking of the New Year, wishing you all a happy, safe and prosperous 2013, from all of us at SolarQuotes HQ.
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