Victoria "throwing in the towel" on FIT scheme

7th Sep 2012

A top broadcaster has weighed in on the Victoria feed-in-tariff (FIT) scheme argument that has been raging this week, accusing the government of "throwing in the towel" on cleaner-energy alternatives.

The state revealed it would be lowering its current rebate rate of 25 cents per kilowatt hour down to just eight cents, with Victoria's energy minister Michael O'Brien going as far as to say FITs were having no effect on the rise in demand for solar panels.

And now Beverley O'Connor, presenter of ABC's Asia Pacific News service, has decided to jump on the bandwagon with other critics who have lambasted the decision.

"To suggest, as the government seemed to do this week, that families that have had the foresight to have solar panels installed were causing the current slew of exorbitant electricity bills is misleading spin," she wrote in an article for the Herald Sun. 

Beverley commented that it was a convenient way to cause strife between the state's rich and poor citizens, despite recent official figures showing that households from both ends of the spectrum had invested in the initiative.

"As both sides of federal politics push for ways to make a serious impact on carbon emissions, encouraging us [to] make the most of our abundant sunshine by installing solar panels made a lot of sense," she added.

"Hitting investment in solar panels is a bad move," the journalist continued, adding that the Baillieu Government has left a much weaker scheme, missing out on a fantastic opportunity for development.

Her comments come just days after Nigel Morris of Solar Business Services berated the decision, describing Mr O'Brien's remarks on the issue as "staggeringly ignorant".

Mr O'Brien had said demand rose 33 per cent when they cut the scheme from a previous rate of 60 cents to 25 cents, although Nigel rebuffed this by claiming it was because homeowners rushed to take advantage of the new price before it was reduced further.

According to Ms O'Connor, one of the biggest problems with lowering it to eight cents is that it will fail to encourage people to put up the original outlay for solar energy systems.

She claimed that industry experts have said that between 12 and 15 cents would be the perfect amount – both raising demand in solar energy, without over-compensating customers.

Australia can't be forever frightened of taking the plunge on renewable technology schemes, Beverley commented, as the alternative is costly infrastructure projects such as the desalination plant at Wonthaggi.

Auditors recently revealed the structure will cost the state's taxpayers $24 billion over the next 28 years, with the Herald reporting that rust problems are plaguing the inside pipes.

Posted by Mike Peacock

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Government Rebate & Regulations

The election that could cast a deep shadow on solar power
This just in: You are nothing but a means to profit for big utilities and NSW government
The Tongans know a bad solar deal when they see one
Solar feed-in tariffs: Who's getting screwed?
Australian government at a solar power crossroads
WA government admits fault in solar rebate debacle
WA Government saves millions while solar customers are up in arms
SA's solar feed-in scheme costs to rise higher
CEC slams FIT deregulation in SA
Carbon tax announcement 'just a ripple'
Industry reactions to Rudd carbon price changes
New government 'must be made aware of renewable achievements'
Solar features prominently in ARENA funding plans
Calling all solar panel installers - 'save clean technology grants'
Manufacturers set to see bright side of economic slump?
Coalition government 'could spell bad news for solar'
'Not FIT for purpose' - ACT government on tariffs
QLD government under fire for negative solar stance
China's first trading emissions scheme begins
Details of the Queensland solar controversy
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
Tasmania's solar future no longer too uncertain
Renewable energy funding on the brink
The Clean Energy Council calls for more renewables
Reactions to renewable energy decisions from the 2013-14 federal budget
Federal budget announcement offers a mixed bag
The impact of the carbon tax
Govt energy efficiency success
Renewable Energy Target achievements
New funding for solar panels
Australia and China further carbon cutting collaboration
Examining Australia's environmental efforts
Renewable Energy Target survives its review
Solar powered cinema a possibility
New licensing will make it easier for solar installers to work across states
Renewable recommendations for WA
Renewable energy target hangs in the balance
Deadline approaching for QLD PV installations under 44 cent solar tariff
Electricity emissions down since carbon tax introduced
Reactions to RET review final report mixed
CCA: RET on track to achieve goals
Experts slam Solar Credits decision
Government support 'needed for commercial solar development'
Shadow ministers slam ARENA withdrawal
Industry expert lauds solar PV impact
Australian Solar Council chief hits back at CCA review suggestion
Australian Solar Council debuts solar electorate map
CCA report 'victory for common sense'
Productivity Commission draft 'good for solar'
SA solar campaign reaches government level
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: