Utilities 'seem hypocritical over solar power complaints'

21st Nov 2012

The stance of utilities providers as to why they are lobbying against solar power subsidies could be seen as hypocritical.

Or so claims Giles Parkinson, editor of Renew Economy, who argued that utilities' calls for incentives to be reduced because of rising electricity prices are in contrast to their position regarding the popularity of air conditioners.

The expert noted that while energy providers have been clambering over themselves to lobby the government about solar incentives, they were conspicuously quiet regarding the spread of air conditioning.

And why is this? Giles believes it's because solar power reduces the demand on the National Electricity Market, whereas air conditioning units do the opposite. 

"Rooftop solar PV poses a greater threat to the business models of the utilities because it gets behind the meter," he explained.

"They are simply not able to deal with the absence of growth."

He stated that there has been a boom in air conditioning unit installations across Australia in recent years – adding $7,000 to the cost of the National Electricity Network for each 1.5kW system.

And this expense is passed on to customers – even those without the technology.

Highlighting the recently published Energy White Paper, Giles pointed to the fact that regardless of whether a household has a unit installed, it will cost them $400 a year to subsidise people who do.

Statistics from a Productivity Commission report found this represents the equivalent of approximately $10 an hour for all customers.

Parkinson said utilities companies are feeling increasingly threatened by the ability of solar to bypass electricity demand from the market, leading them to raise fixed charges or refuse connections.

"The energy utilities will have to cope with this paradigm shift at some point in time, but right now they are just not prepared to do so," he stated.

His remarks followed the recent announcement that the federal government will be withdrawing the Solar Credits mechanism six months early.

Giles admitted it was a bit of a surprise for the industry – especially in the midst of the Renewable Energy Target review.

It could be a worrying trend for the renewables sector if utilities providers are able to exert so much pressure on the government to make these decisions, he stated, with this one in particular seeming very arbitrary.

The justification was that it would reduce electricity bills by up to $100 million next year, Giles added, but the mathematics behind this reveals this is just $10 per household.

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: