Queensland Government introduces the Great Solar PV Swindle |
|
A
much heralded promise to introduce real incentives for domestic solar power in Queensland was confirmed
as greenwash in the Queensland Parliament yesterday according to Queensland
Conservation.
‘The introduction of a net feed-in tariff for domestic solar PV systems in the Clean Energy Bill is nothing but greenwash and a swindle' said Toby Hutcheon, Executive Director of Queensland Conservation. ‘The Bligh Government has effectively blocked suburban solar energy systems from receiving a fair price for the clean energy they produce,' he continued. ‘It seems that the government is more interested in looking good rather than actually providing an incentive to install solar energy'.' ‘The Opposition parties clearly recognised the flaws in the Solar Bonus Scheme,' said Hutcheon. ‘Queensland Conservation applauds their efforts in Parliament to amend the Clean Energy Bill to provide a gross feed-in tariff. Had the amendment they proposed received government support, it would have given real incentives for householders to produce clean, renewable energy at home.' Figures presented by the government on the scheme have been publicly challenged by Queensland Conservation. Our challenge showed that anyone using a 1 kW PV system would never generate more energy than they consume, and never qualify for the tariff. The Department of Mines and Energy has refused to discuss its figures despite broad concerns on their accuracy. ‘Properly constructed the Solar Bonus Scheme would have been a world best practice initiative on solar PV systems. It would have established the government's renewable energy credentials and given a real incentive for Queensland's householders, businesses, community and sporting organisations to install solar systems. As it stands it is an opportunity lost,' concluded Hutcheon. |