By Rich Bowden Now this is the sort of news your SolarQuotes.com.au correspondent likes to deliver. After weeks of wading through government reversals on solar feed-in tariffs, reporting on the various sniping at the edges of the solar industry and talking about savage cuts from state and federal governments affecting the Australian renewables sector, here […]
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Uncertainty for SA Solar Industry as Parliament Rejects Feed-in Tariff Increase
By Rich Bowden South Australian investors in rooftop solar energy have been left shaking their heads after events in the state capital this week saw the solar feed-in tariff retained at 44c instead of the promised increase to 54c.
[Continue reading…]Solar Subsidies : Let’s get the facts straight
Despite running a popular Solar Power website, whose revenue is seriously helped by generous Federal and State solar subsidies, it may surprise you to learn that I’m not a huge fan of government subsidy in any shape or form. Mainly because I have worked for the government and seen how inefficient they really are. Trust […]
[Continue reading…]What to Really Expect at the Second NSW Solar Summit
By Rich Bowden This week’s announcement by NSW Energy Minister Chris Hartcher that the Second NSW Solar Summit, to be held in Newcastle on July 1, will provide a “…key pathway to managing the development of the renewable energy industry in a consistent and sustainable manner,” brought a smile to my face. For wasn’t it […]
[Continue reading…]Push to Make Electricity Retailers Pay as NSW Coalition Continue Solar Spin Cycle
The issue of solar energy, and more importantly the backflip on the Solar Bonus Scheme continues to dominate debate in the NSW Parliament “bearpit”. Heroic efforts by the Coalition to contain fallout are matched only by attempts by certain Liberals to accept credit for the turnaround. Meanwhile injecting a new angle into the sorry NSW […]
[Continue reading…]NSW Pollies Back Down On Daft Retrospective Solar Feed In Tariff Legislation
By Rich Bowden The NSW Government’s decision to reinstate the solar fund feed-in tariff to 60c per kilowatt hour has come in reaction to bitter criticism, not just from solar investors and the solar industry but all sides of politics. Opponents of the decision to reduce the compensation to 40c have emerged, not just in […]
[Continue reading…]How Economically Viable is Solar Energy?
By Rich Bowden A recent report by the University of Melbourne’s EnergyResearchInstitute has found that, not only is solar energy a viable form of energy, but that costs will compare favourably with traditional fossil fuel technology in the very near future. The report, the Renewable Energy Technology Cost Review May 2011, was commissioned by government […]
[Continue reading…]NSW Govt Opts for ‘Hardship’ Package for Out-of-Pocket Solar Customers
By Rich Bowden The NSW Government has refused to back down over its controversial decision to reduce the bonus feed-in tariff offered to households for solar power returned to the grid from 60 cents per kilowatt hour to 40 cents.
[Continue reading…]Liberal Hammers NSW Govt Over Solar Rebate Backflip
By Rich Bowden The newly-installed NSW Liberal Government has received widespread criticism for its recent decision to retrospectively reduce the tariff paid to households under the solar bonus agreement.
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