The NSW Government has made an announcement on Friday 13th May clarifying some aspects of the suspension of the Solar Bonus Scheme(SBS).
Minister for Energy Chris Hartcher announced the following:
- Applications received prior to the 29 April 2011 but yet to be connected to the Scheme will be progressed and considered under the eligibility criteria. The Clean Energy Council is seeking confirmation that the criteria is the same as it was before April 28.
- Customers eligible for the 60 cent tariff will see their tariff rate reduced to 40 cents from 1 July 2011 for the remainder of the Scheme. Customers eligible for the 20 cent tariff will see no change.
- The Government has now permanently closed the Scheme to new applicants effective midnight 28 April 2011 and will introduce legislation to Parliament as soon as possible to support these changes.
- The Solar Summit Stage Two will be held in June and will examine options to establish a long-term and sustainable future for the NSW solar industry and responsible energy policy.
Review the full 130511 NSW Govt announces closure of solar bonus scheme
We understand that there will be a great deal of confusion and shock at the reduction of pre-existing customers on the 60 cent tariff. We ourselves are confused as Liberal have done a complete back flip as to their stance on this.
In NSW parliament on 24/11/2009 The Hon Catherine Cusack from the Liberal Party made this comment in her speech in response to the original legislation being introduced. “I put a caveat on that with one important statement: any changes the coalition undertakes will not make existing scheme participants worse off. Certainty is the key. Certainty means that no changes should be retrospective.” You can view view the full Electricty Supply Amendment (Solar Bonus Scheme) Bill 2009
We are endeavoring to review any options that maybe available in this regard and will lobby the Clean Energy Council to voice our concerns.
At this point in time please allow us to utilise our time effectively and resist calling our office. We again will continue to update everyone as soon as new information comes to hand.
If you have any questions or would like to voice your concerns or view we ask that you contact the NSW Energy Information Line 1300 136 888 and Minister for Energy Chris Hartcher email office@hartcher.minister.nsw.gov.au
For those who would like to take their message to the streets the Australian Solar Energy Society will be holding a public rally on Wed 18/5/2011 at 11:30am outside Customs House in Circular Quay, for more information on the rally please visit www.auses.org.au/solar-crisis-rally