New Solar Citizens initiative campaigning for Tasmania

21st May 2013

Solar power is becoming a bigger priority for communities across Australia, who are cottoning on to the many benefits that come along with the technology.

Nigel Morris from Solar Business Services made mention of the mid-May launch of a new solar support group, writing that it is an initiative of the independent organisation 100% Renewable, which aims to promote renewable energy technologies in Australia.

The new initiative, Solar Citizens, is open to anyone who supports solar power in Australia, whether they're a current or a future owner, or someone who just thinks having rooftop solar panels throughout Australia is a good idea.

Solar Citizens lists its aims as helping to move towards a future where solar panels are accessible to all Australians, and that these solar panels can be connected to the grid and be paid a fair price for the power they contribute, without being struck by unreasonable charges or tariffs.

One of Solar Citizens' current campaigns is the Save Solar Tasmania campaign.

Tasmania's electricity retailing is set to be privatised in January next year, and the fear is that this will mean solar feed-in tariffs are reduced or removed.

Of course, any solar supporter doesn't want to see this happen, so the Solar Citizens are trying to prevent such an eventuality, which they claim will undermine the value of investments that have already been made, and weaken incentives for new solar investment in the state.

According to Solar Citizens, 10,000 solar PV systems have already been installed in Tasmania, helping to keep the local community sustainable while exporting some clean energy to other parts of Australia.

The organisation states that government policies supporting renewable energy generation in Tasmania can help to create employment, diversify the electricity supply, reduce transmission losses, increase the exports of hydropower to other parts of Australia and show Tasmania as an example of commitment to action on climate change.

"A Solar Citizen is any Australian who supports the use of solar power – either installing it themselves or working to see great use of solar in their community," says the Solar Citizens website.

"One million rooftop power stations are now lighting up homes around the country. And many more households are looking to solar as a way to manage their energy bills, creating cleaner energy along the way."

Posted by Mike Peacock

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