Solar homeowners unfairly targeted by SA power Networks
Solar Citizens has today slammed SA Power Networks for unfairly targeting solar homeowners by applying to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) and asking them to introduce new taxes on solar homeowners.
“These reports are highly disturbing and are essentially a witch hunt on solar homeowners in South Australia,” said Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke
“Solar households are most common in lower income suburbs - the main reason these families go solar is to help with the rising cost of power bills.”
“The fact is solar homes reduces pressure on the network - charging solar households for this is nothing more than a money grab.
“The single biggest part of South Australian’s power bills are network costs - the poles and wires that have seen vast over-investment in recent years. Network costs make up as much as 60% of an average power bill.”
“There are more than 179,000 solar homeowners in South Australia and just last week we had an incredible turnout of South Australian solar homeowners at our Stand up for Solar launch.
“These homeowners pledged to support a national goal of at least 50% solar and renewable electricity generation by 2030, an end to unfair fees for solar owners and to help all Australians who are struggling with the rising cost of electricity bills.”
“This is a clear case of unwarranted discrimination against solar homeowners - it’s way off the mark. Solar is helping families lower their power bills, generates clean energy and helps create jobs for South Australians.”
“The AER need to protect current and future solar homeowners and put a stop to this attempt to unfairly tax solar homeowners,” said Ms O’Rourke.
Claire O’Rourke is available for comment
Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404
For more information on Stand up for Solar: www.standupforsolar.org.au
