Solar Citizens today welcomes Pope Francis’ call for stronger investment in renewable energy in his challenging Encyclical released last night in London.

The Pontiff wrote:

“There is an urgent need to develop policies so that, in the next few years, the emission of carbon dioxide and other highly polluting gases can be drastically reduced, for example, substituting for fossil fuels and developing sources of renewable energy.”1

National Director Claire O’Rourke said the declaration by the head of the Catholic Church was an opportune moment for Prime Minister Tony Abbott to end his attacks on renewables and shift to clean energy sources such as wind and solar.

“Pope Francis warns that countries wealthy enough to make a real difference mostly use their power to prevent real progress, rather than taking the immediate action needed. 

“Recent polling shows 71% of Australians believe solar power should be Australia’s number one form of energy.

“Yet Prime Minister Tony Abbott has put jobs, lower power bills and investment in the renewable energy sector at risk by undermining the Renewable Energy Target (RET).”

“A  poll conducted by The Australian Institute found 64% of Liberal voters support an increased Target, while 43% of Liberal voters would support a more ambitious Target of 50% or more renewables by 2030.

“In recent weeks we’ve seen thousands  of people from all walks of life sign up to our ‘Stand up for Solar’ pledge calling for a national goal of at least 50% renewable energy including solar by 2030.

“Our Federal Government is clearly out of touch with what Australians and the rest of the world on supporting the growth of solar power. The overwhelming consensus is that Australians are demanding investment in clean energy,” said Ms O’Rourke.

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment

 Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

1 http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

The International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook Report launched last night in London highlights the urgent need to accelerate the development of emerging renewable technologies that will transform the global energy system.

Increasing investment in renewable energy technologies in the power sector from $270 billion in 2014 to $400 billion in 2030 is a vital measure to ensure global energy-related emissions can peak as early as 2020 and at no net economic cost.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said Australia’s Federal Government was going against global trends with its push to slash investment in renewable energy such as solar through cuts to the Renewable Energy Target.

“The International Energy Agency is the latest reputable global organisation to highlight the overwhelming benefits of growing renewable energy sources including solar and the economic benefits that flow from it,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“It’s baffling as to why the Federal Government continues its ideologically-driven attacks on clean energy and remains a laggard on exploiting cleaner, cheaper renewable power that benefits all consumers.

“Australia has some of the best solar resources in the world. We should be investing in developing the technology and skills to make us a world leader in solar energy, not putting barriers on solar companies and people who want rooftop solar.

“This report shows there are billions of dollars in global investment in solar in the pipeline over coming decades.

“Australia will be left behind if it doesn’t set a national goal of at least 50% renewable energy by 2030.

“A national goal of at least 50% renewable energy by 2030 will help millions of families go solar, create tens of thousands of jobs and ensure billions in investment for our sunny country.

“A strong solar future is what Australians everywhere want to see. We need strong political leadership who will deliver it,” she said.

Media contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

IKEA shows leadership with $600 million investment in clean energy

Solar Citizens has welcomed today’s announcement by one of the world’s largest brands that it will invest $600 million in renewable energy, globally.

IKEA plans to transition to 100% renewable energy on all their stores by 2020.

National Director of Solar Citizens Claire O’Rourke said IKEA was the latest global company to show how renewable energy made good business sense and the key role companies could play in growing clean energy sources including solar.

“Today’s announcement shows that the solar revolution is in full swing - $600 million worth of investment is an incredible step for showing the power of the business community in clean energy investment,” said Ms O’Rourke

“Companies like IKEA are leading on clean energy at a time when our government is taking us backwards.”

“It’s time our Government work up to the fact that business and community are 10 steps ahead of them.”

“Recent polling by Essential Research shows that 71% of Australians want more emphasis on solar power, not less.

“With business and communities around Australia and the globe supporting the transition to renewable energy, it beggars belief that the Government isn’t on board.

“IKEA has set a shining example of leadership on renewable energy. It’s time our Federal Government recognises Australia is being left behind and act immediately to set down a more ambitious solar and renewable energy goal of at least 50% by 2030,”said Ms O’Rourke.

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

Solar Citizens welcomes the new report released by the Clean Energy Council which shows that while renewable energy is more popular than ever, more needs to be done to secure good policies to ensure solar can power Australia.

“It’s great to see so many people joining the solar revolution, but is a big concern to see that warnings made to the Federal Government about job losses and drops in investment now ringing true,” Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said.

“There are now over 1.4 million solar homes in Australia and in 2014 thirteen percent of Australia’s electricity came from renewable sources,” said Ms O’Rourke

“South Australia and Tasmania generated 40% and 95% respectively from renewable energy sources - these figures are impressive.”

“But it’s not all good news last year we saw a drop of 8.5% on rooftop solar installed and while the industry employs 20,000 people we saw a loss of 1,000 jobs.”

“These losses were due to the uncertainty created by the Federal Government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) review.”

“Time and time again Australian businesses and communities are saying they want more solar, not less.”

“The Government must accept that by attempting to block renewable energy investment it is refusing to accept the reality that Australian families will power their homes with renewables as their main source of electricity in the near future,” said Ms O’Rourke

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

Media reports that new figures released by The Australian Bureau of Statistics show that Western Australian families are embracing solar, with more than 180,000 solar homes in Western Australia.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said these numbers show that solar is quickly becoming the prefered choice of power for Australian families.

“With more than 180,000 solar homes in Western Australia it’s clear that Western Australians are embracing solar as their number one choice for electricity,” Ms O’Rourke said today.

“These households are enjoying the many benefits of solar, taking control of their power bills and generating clean energy from the sun.”

“Recent polling by Essential Polling backs this up with 71% of Australians believing solar power should be Australia’s number one form of energy.

“With numbers like these the recent slashing of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) defies belief.

“The Target has helped 1.4 million Australian homes go solar, has created 24,000 jobs and has allowed families to take control of their power bills.”

“The Federal Government has put jobs, growth and investment in the renewable energy sector at risk by undermining the Target.”

“Over the last month I have been visiting communities across the county as part of our Stand Up For Solar campaign.”

“The thousands of solar homeowners we visited 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.”

“It’s time the Federal government realised they’re swimming against public opinion.”

“Australians are turning to solar in droves and the Federal Government faces a real risk of being left behind,” said Ms O’Rourke.

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment.

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

To find more information on Stand Up For Solar head to: www.standupforsolar.org.au

Solar Citizens calls on the Australian Energy Regulator to urgently investigate media reports that Victoria power networks, Citipower and Powercor have slapped an unnecessary up to $300 charge on Victoria solar homeowners.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said authorities must get to the bottom of the serious allegations of discriminatory practices and potential fees for services that were never rendered.

“These reports of unwarranted charges that Victorian power networks are charging solar households points to discrimination against hundreds of thousands of solar homes in Victoria with an outrageously unfair cost,” she said.

“Media reports suggest the power networks have been getting away with the up to $300 fee on solar homes for years. Thousands of solar families may have been hit with this charge, which could amount to millions of dollars.

“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.

“Just last month we had an incredible turnout of Victoria solar homeowners at our Stand up for Solar launch in Melbourne.

“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.

“Victorians clearly love solar and expect that they won’t be subjected to unfair charges.

“The Australian Energy Regulator needs to ensure that they protect solar homeowners and must urgently investigate the reports of discriminatory fees,” said Ms O’Rourke.

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

Solar Citizens has today condemned the Queensland Competition Authority’s recommendation to slash the price of the feed in tariff for regional Queensland's solar homeowners.

Solar voters helped deliver a shock double-digit swing away from the LNP in Queensland after bitter attacks from former Premier Campbell Newman on solar home owners.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said many solar homeowners would be deeply disappointed with the determination - which is a worrying signal about the future of feed in tariffs for the rest of the state.

“The slashing of the QLD feed-in tariff is a clear move to discriminate against thousands of solar homes in Queensland,” she said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to a fair price for solar homes owners, which is something 420,000 Queensland solar families support. This decision to cut tariffs from the QCA is a huge step backwards.

“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.

“To reduce their feed-in tariff places unnecessary strain on on families who are already struggling with rising cost of living.

“Just last week we had an incredible turnout of Queensland solar homeowners at our Stand up for Solar launch in Brisbane.

“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.

“Queenslanders clearly love solar and want to see it protected and strengthened.

“We urgently call on the Palaszczuk Government to restore the tariff and ensure the commitment made at the recent state election to ensure a fair price for solar power sent back to the grid is met,” Ms O’Rourke said.

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

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

Almost three-quarters of Australians think our nation should put more emphasis on producing domestic energy from solar power, according to an Essential Poll released today.

The new poll found that 71% of people think Australia should put more emphasis on solar power ahead of all other forms of electricity generation.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said people overwhelmingly want more solar and renewable energy and are sick of it being used as a political football.

“The debate about the transition of our energy system to clean forms of electricity is stuck in the mud with the Abbott Government attacking solar and slashing the Renewable Energy Target,” Ms O’Rourke said today.

“There’s a huge disconnect between what people want and what our political leaders are managing to achieve, which is a disappointment to most Australians who want to see clean energy power our nation.

“Australia has some of the best available sunshine in the world, placing us in prime position for generating our own solar and renewable energy on a mass scale.

“Almost seven times as many people want Australia to place more emphasis on solar power for meeting the nation’s energy needs than on coal - solar is streets ahead of all other sources when it comes to public opinion,” she said.

“But the vested interests of the big power companies and their special treatment by government are holding back lower power prices for all Australians, cleaner power, more diverse energy security, millions in investment and more jobs.

“There’s no reason we can’t become a solar powerhouse that exports our expertise and technology to global markets.

“Last week the International Renewable Energy Agency released a new report showing there are now more than 7.7 million people employed by the renewable energy industry, worldwide.

“Australia should stake its claim in this growing global industry and its new century jobs, which is why we’re calling on all our political leaders to Stand Up For Solar,” she said.

Claire O’Rourke available for interview.
Media contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533

See the Stand Up For Solar campaign:
http://www.standupforsolar.org.au/

The community’s overwhelming love of solar power has once again been confirmed with the release today of results from an Ipsos survey, commissioned by the federal Australian Renewable Energy Agency, according to Solar Citizens.

The Ipsos survey found 87% of Australians supported solar panels on homes as an energy source for Australia and it was almost three times as popular as coal or nuclear power.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said polls and survey consistently showed massive popular support for solar and other renewable energy, yet public policy lagged far behind.

“The community’s enthusiasm and willingness to put their own money into solar has not been matched by ambition and action from government, plain and simple,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“Australia has plentiful sun resources that place us in prime position for generating our own renewable energy and providing the know-how and expertise for meeting the global solar boom.

“Last week the International Renewable Energy Agency released a new report showing there are now more than 7.7 million people employed by the renewable energy industry, worldwide.

“Australia should stake its claim in this growing global industry and its new century jobs.

“The more popular solar becomes with households, the greater the push back that comes from vested interests in big power companies as they attempt to influence politicians to protect their outdated models which are holding back Australia’s energy transformation that will take place.

“These vested interests and their special treatment by government are holding back lower power prices for all Australians, cleaner power, more diverse energy security, millions in investment and more jobs.

“The findings of this survey suggest Australians from all walks of life and political persuasions are recognising the benefits of solar far outweigh the risks of coal and nuclear. It’s time our political leaders woke up and stood up for solar too,” she said.

Media contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

More on the Stand Up For Solar campaign: http://www.standupforsolar.org.au/