Carbon tax - keep your hands off green electricity tariffs!

22nd Jun 2012

We've pretty much all heard about the carbon tax – a new financial disincentive to reduce carbon emissions from Australia's biggest polluters.

Due to come into force on July 1, the tax has conjured up some fierce debate on both a political and environmental scale.

The Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) of Australia is worried that even those on green electricity tariffs will be impacted by the tax, which as you've probably guessed is not what it was designed for!

As there are no carbon emissions associated with renewable energy, there should be no carbon price to pass on to consumers, said SEA chief adviser Ray Wills.

"An increased price of electricity should impact on how retailers calculate the value of solar electricity generated on rooftops and so the price of renewable energy buyback," he commented.

If anything, the carbon tax should give people the motivation they need to install solar energy systems – if electricity companies are to face price increases, the chances are these will be passed on to consumers.

As SEA suggests, this will only be effective if the carbon tax keeps its hands off green energy sources – and a more consistent approach towards pricing solar energy is introduced.

Posted by Mike Peacock

 

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Solar Power & Technology

Australia to be a part of huge Asian renewable energy growth
SunPower steps up to make solar more affordable
Canberra makes strides toward carbon neutrality
GTM puts solar's massive growth in perspective
Examining Australia's falling solar PV rooftop prices
Australia's shift toward renewable energy picks up the pace
Australia shines at solar decathlon
University of Queensland tapped as lead researcher on massive solar project
100 per cent renewable energy is possible in 10 years, environmental group says
Climate Commission releases report on solar progress
Aussie government actually shows spine for solar power
Be gone, skeptics: One million solar installations and counting
Australia embarks on its greatest solar journey ever
Australia looks to solar thermal for commercial success
Solar power helps King Island reach 100% sustainability
Australians 'heavy supporters of solar power'
Mildura solar plant officially unveiled
Solar power trumps other renewables in Australian minds
Sunshine Coast solar farm "fantastic initiative"
Sunshine Coast cashes in on namesake with solar plans
Energy storage 'could maximise solar power utility'
Solar powered family car - a world first?
Code of conduct for solar installers in the works
'Stop punishing households' for solar PV
Australian solar companies 'adjusting well'
Australian mining 'next solar frontier'
"Rooftop revolution" underway across Australia
Global PV market emerging from sluggish period
Royalla solar farm receives final approval
Leadership challenge a "debacle" for Australian solar power
Solar power giving global renewables a helping hand
Australia's largest CPV solar power plant up and running
Renewable energy misinformation "staggering"
CEC: Don't underestimate consumer desire for solar
Setting energy efficient examples on TV
Solar PV brightening up household bills
World's largest solar powered boat on the move
Climate change is heating up
The global solar power shift
New solar tech win for NSW
Industry orgs praise City of Sydney solar efforts
Clean Energy Council supports Regional Renewables scheme
Asian nations emerging as PV leaders
Solar PV demand continues to grow
Regional areas of Australia to receive more renewables
Australia's significant renewable energy growth
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
New funding for solar research
Find love with sustainable speed dating
New Victorian solar power deal
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: