NSW GOVERNMENT MUST LEGISLATE TO PREVENT DISCRIMINATION AGAINST SOLAR HOMEOWNERS
The NSW Government should rule out any plan by the State Government-owned electricity networks for a new charge on solar homes, according to Solar Citizens.
Following a Channel 7 news story last night, the networks claim they will move away from a proposed ‘sun tax’ but legislation would give solar homeowners greater certainty, said Reece Turner, Consumer Campaigner at Solar Citizens.
“The NSW Premier Mike Baird should act swiftly to legislate against networks imposing fees that discriminate against solar households,” he said
“The Baird Government has often claimed it wants to make NSW ”Australia’s answer to California when it comes to clean energy’ but this kind of tax on the sun will send us back to the dark ages.
“More than 319,000 households in NSW have taken the very sensible decision to invest in solar power, allowing them to take control of escalating electricity bills, generate clean energy and reduce demand on the electricity grid. The top 10 postcodes for solar installations in NSW are all in regional areas with lower than average income.
“They should not be penalised with an additional charge by the networks who have failed to plan for the rising popularity of rooftop solar.
“Across Australia electricity networks are increasingly targeting solar owners as a way to claw back profits from households who have decided to take rising electricity costs in their own hands. The privatised South Australian network monopoly SA Power Networks has pushed for an additional $100 fee for solar owners.
“The Baird Government should ensure the state’s solar homes are supported, not taxed,” he said.
Media contact: Siobhan Lyttle 0432 828 004
