The Newman Government has axed the 8 cent feed-in tariff, and as of July, 40,000 solar homes, and all future solar owners in Queensland, will have to negotiate directly with retailers to receive any return for the energy they provide into the grid.
In our recent meeting with Energy Minister Mark McArdle, he stated that because of high uptake of solar, retailers will have to offer a fair price for solar, as they will be be uncompetitive if they don’t. But, our experience with NSW, where families are receiving very small feed-in tariffs after negotiating with retailers, proves this otherwise. When pressed, Minister McArdle had no clear response as to how the Newman Government would guarantee that a fair price would be provided by retailers.
Although Minister McArdle had no answers on dealing with retailers, thanks to suggestions from many of you, we have a few options. We could continue to fight for fair legislated feed-in tariffs, or we could look into the option of bringing thousands of solar owners together to use our market power and negotiate a good deal with the energy retailers. Both options will use time and energy, so we'd like your thoughts on what the best use of our campaign resources. Let us know what you think below!
Showing 370 reactions
A: No.
A: I am not sure what will happen on July 1st, as I live in Regional area where the provider is ERGON. There is no other company available.
Does anyone know what will happen about our 8 Cents????
A: Maybe.
A: Maybe.
A: Yes.
A: No.
A: We are presently on the 44 cents rebate, but we consider this campaign to be very important as this scheme will end in the future.
Householders have invested their own money in Solar, they are entitled, as micro businesses, to receive a just return on that investment.
They supply electricity to the grid, which is indistinguishable from that produced by the large power generators.
We should be aiming for a solar rebate that is on par with the kilowatt/hour charge we pay as consumers.
A: I think its about time people stood up to this idiot and have our say .Every thing we try to do to save a bit of money we get flogged .it is a big enough investment to install a system to save some money then they turn around and take any saving off us I’ve had enough
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
A: Maybe.
A: Maybe.
A: I have a stand-alone system since over 25 years despite power going past the property, so sadly cannot be part of it. But over one million solar households combined are a force for change. Look at it this way: at worst you are in the same situation as me, producing your own power and not being part of the system, at best you’ll get a fair price for fulfilling the energy providers renewable energy quote :-)
A: Can’t see the arrogant Newman government listening to us and retaining the 8cent feed in tariff even if it is only fair. I am afraid McArdle cannot be trusted to do anything (despite what he might say or have said to Solar Citizens face to face) to help as he and Newman have an agenda and don’t know compromise let alone backing down!!
A: Maybe.
A: No.
A: Yes.
A: Select the first houses / villages / suburbs that can go off-grid, install micro grids based on PV + battery storage, This will tell retailers + government that solar + storage is a serious alternative to grid connection, specially without feed-in tariff. Building the business model + marketing + install momentum for off-grid solutions makes the point clear: off-grid or feed-in tariff, there is no other option for residents.
A: Maybe.
A: Don’t forget that there are two distinct Solar Citizens – those who are fortunate enough to be locked in (fingers crossed!!!) to a 44 cents tariff and others who are in the position of having to negotiate with their retailer for a price for their feed in electricity. For those on the 44 cent FIT the pressure needs to be kept up on the government to keep that price. The options for future direction appear to only direct energy towards those in the unfortunate position of having to negotiate a price. I can understand that given limited available resources this is the most important task at present but I am concerned that if all the energy goes towards this the government may sense an opportunity to renege on the 44 cent FIT. Some people like myself who invested in solar at a time when prices were higher have a lot to loose if the 44cent FIT was removed.
A: Yes.
A: No.
A: I also agree that we need both actions. I certainly don’t have any trust in the government but ideally they should reinstate the 8cent feed in tariff.
A: Yes.
A: Maybe.
A: Diamond Energy is a Solar Friendly Energy Retailer and worth consideration
A: No.
A: Yes. I firmly believe that the Qld Govt. has a responsibility to make sure that solar owners get a fair deal for the energy they are contributing to the power grid. Don’t even think you will get anything from the Energy corporations. If the Govt. back out of this we will be left with no legal option but to take a massive class action against them for reimbursement of our expenses in setting up our solar enrgy in the first place. The threat must be to the Govt. who made the promises in the first place and are now betraying the trust we placed in them. It is not good enough., They must be made responsible for their promises or else…