Spending on renewables is not a bad thing

18th May 2012

Anything that involves excessive spending also tends to attract criticism – and renewable power is no exception.

The Sustainable Energy Association of Australia (SEA) has suggested that investing in renewables should be something we celebrate, after all, it is helping secure our future!

These comments were made in response to the Western Australian government's decision to axe its solar feed in tariff scheme after it was deemed too costly to continue with.

Energy minister Peter Collier described the fact that 76,000 homes across the state now have solar panels installed on their roofs as a "terrific outcome" – but some policymakers simply don't agree.

Ray Wills, chief executive of the SEA, pointed out that these solar power systems are benefiting real families from all over Western Australia.

"Contrary to the media reports, the majority are taken up by mums and dads with kids and mortgages who are now using solar power to deliver electricity to their homes direct from their roof tops and to reduce their electricity bill," he explained.

So why is this seen as such a bad thing? Peter alluded to problems in the management of the solar feed-in tariff scheme, rather than the renewable technology itself.

In fact, the SEA offered advice to the government before last year's Budget was delivered, suggesting that the tariff needed to be scaled back in order to remain sustainable.

One of the criticisms of the scheme was that its popularity had been underestimated, leading the group to say that had its recommendations been followed, this situation could have been avoided.

"It is also unfortunate that the media reports exaggerate the potential ramifications of the cost of the overrun to households," Peter added.

Policymakers could learn something from this assessment of government rebates – scale-back the incentives and they will be able to last longer!

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: