Climate Commission report "blind to reality"

28th Sep 2012

A Climate Commission report regarding the solar opportunities in Queensland has been criticised by experts in the industry.

Within days of publication, the document – which described the state as being a potential world leader in solar – was slammed for being misleading and biased.

Chris McGrath, senior lecturer in environmental regulation at the University of Queensland, called it "wilfully blind to reality".

Speaking to The Conversation, an academic and research-based news site, he said: "They're talking about Queensland as a leader for solar, but Queensland's going backwards in terms of participating in any funding for addressing climate change and [is] unwinding programs."

And he didn't stop there. According to Chris, the state is clearly still favouring coal-fired power stations, with investors in solar infrastructure finding it hard to compete.

But he wasn't the only environmental specialist to have concerns.

Mark Diesendorf of the Institute of Environmental Studies at University of New South Wales also threw in his two cents, saying Victoria's government needs to put in place positive deployment policies for solar if renewable technology is to continue succeeding.

Their comments followed recent criticism from solar industry insiders over the state's reduction of its feed-in tariff rebate scheme from 44 cents per kilowatt hour to eight cents.

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: