AGL unfairly slugs solar customers in ACT and NSW, locking out thousands from renewable energy
Solar Citizens has serious concerns about today’s reports that AGL plans to charge solar homeowners up to an extra $434 for solar smart meters in the ACT and NSW.
Only last month, AGL launched extensive TVC and digital advertising pushes its expertise in solar products with the tagline, “Not all solar is created equal”. Now, according to reports, the company is making it harder for solar homeowners to get a fair deal.
“A $434 price hike for installing home solar meters by AGL is an absurd attack on solar home owners in the ACT and NSW. They are penalising Australian families who want to go solar,” said Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke.
“This increase risks locking out thousands of people from going solar in the ACT and NSW - that is deeply disappointing.
“Solar households are most common in lower income suburbs - the main reason these families go solar is to control of their power bills.
“Recent polling shows that 71% of people think Australia should put more emphasis on solar power ahead of all other forms of electricity generation.
“With support for renewable energy at an all time high it’s a risky move by AGL to so blatantly go after solar homeowners in this blatantly discriminatory manner.
“Just last month we had an incredible turnout of solar homeowners all across the country at our Stand up for Solar forums.
“These homeowners pledged to support an end to unfair fees for solar owners, a national goal of at least 50% solar and renewable electricity generation by 2030 and to help all Australians who are struggling with the rising cost of electricity bills.
“AGL campaigned for reducing the Renewable Energy Target, now that it has been slashed they’re digging the knife further into clean energy to maximise profits.”
“Our big power companies need to realise they are way behind the eight ball on renewable energy and risk being left in the dust if they continue to attack the renewable energy industry,” said Ms O’Rourke.
Claire O’Rourke is available for comment
Media contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404
You can find out more about Stand up for Solar here: http://www.standupforsolar.org.au/
