Solar Citizens has welcomed a report released today confirming that Australia is well placed to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2050. The report was produced by WWF and ANU.

National Director Claire O’Rourke welcomed the report, which backs Solar Citizens’ call for at least 50% renewable energy by 2030, a cornerstone of the organisation’s new Stand Up For Solar campaign.

“Today’s report confirms that what Australians want to see is absolutely achievable, and that’s a strong solar and renewable energy future for the country. All we need now is the political will to get this done,” said Ms O’Rourke.

“The rest of the world is moving forward and investing in renewable energy - 89% of Australians polled say they want to keep or strengthen the Renewable Energy Target. Solar and renewables can create 15,000 new Australian jobs by 2020.”

“Australians are crying out for more solar, not less. And clearly the many benefits of solar including lower power bills, clean energy and thousands of solid Australian jobs are well-recognised across the community.

“Right now there is a renewable energy policy vacuum and rather than taking up this realistic goal our current government is intent on taking us backwards when it comes to  renewable energy investment.”  

“It’s time for the Abbott Government to get on board with the technology and the Australian people and stop making us laggards on renewable energy,” said Ms O’Rourke

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404 

Senator Glenn Lazarus, Independent Senator for Queensland, has today confirmed his support for renewable energy by backing Solar Citizens’ groundbreaking campaign ‘Stand up for Solar’.

The Solar Citizens Stand up for Solar plan calls for:

1. A national goal of at least 50% of our energy generated by renewables by 2030

2. An end to discriminatory fees for solar owners, a fair feed in tariff for power fed back into the grid

3. Helping households with soaring power bills

Senator Glenn Lazarus said, “I’m backing Stand Up For Solar because it’s an ambitious plan for Australia’s renewable energy industry”.

“The Renewable Energy Target has been a driving force for creating jobs, reducing emissions and helping Australians with their power bills.”

“In my home state of Queensland there are 420,000 homes with solar rooftops and the RET has helped create 6,600 jobs.”

"Queensland has been one of the biggest adopters of solar, which is why more needs to be

done to support existing homeowners with solar and to help more Australian households install solar on their rooftops.

“The rest of the world is moving to renewable energy, it’s time my colleagues in Canberra understood the opportunity and looked to grow and protect renewable energy instead of trying to destroy it at every opportunity.”

Senator Glenn Lazarus will be a guest speaker at the Brisbane ‘Stand up for Solar’ launch event on the 27th of April at New Farm Bowls Club.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O'Rourke said: “Australians will be pleased to see Senator Lazarus stand up for a strong solar future.”

“Senator Lazarus will join solar business owners who will share their stories and find out why so many Australians love solar and want their politicians to protect it.”

“If more politicians in Canberra followed Senator Lazarus’ example the renewable energy industry wouldn’t be in the mess it’s in - and more Australians would be taking control of their power bills by powering their homes with clean solar energy.” said Ms O’Rourke

Claire O’Rourke and Glenn Lazarus are available for comment

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

What: Stand up for Solar campaign launch

When: 27th April, 7pm-9pm

Where: New Farm Bowls Club, 969 Brunswick RD, New Farm

Speakers: Senator Glenn Lazarus, Nigel Morris, expert solar industry analyst of

Solar Business Services and Mike Swanston, energy customer advocate, formerly

from Energex.

Stand up for Solar key asks and pledge at www.standupforsolar.org.au

Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane’s dismissal of Labor’s 33,500 GWh Renewable Energy Target (RET) compromise shows that the Abbott Government has no interest in providing certainty for Australia’s renewable energy industry and is intent on playing political games with the RET.

“Both of today’s announcements are bitterly disappointing to solar owners and supporters around Australia”, said Solar Citizens National Campaigner Taegen Edwards.

“Labor has been drawn into this race to the bottom. Any reduction in the Target is a huge step backwards for renewable energy.”

“Australian families want to see solar in Australia grow and thrive. Instead of listening to them, the Abbott Government has lead a race to the bottom on renewables, insisting that the target be slashed dramatically.”

“The Government’s Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane’s automatic dismissal of this compromise reinforces the fact that this government does not care about industry certainty or job losses and does not care about Australia’s solar future.”

“Business needs consistent policy to invest and householders need access to solar and other forms of renewable power to reduce their electricity bills.

“The RET is extremely popular, with polls showing 89% of Australians want to keep or strengthen the Target, including 64% of self-identified Liberal voters

“There is a glimmer of hope in Labor’s announcement that may see them increasing their ambition on post 2020 targets. This would be a very welcome step.”

“The Australian people are crying out for vision and leadership on renewable energy. The Abbott government need to stop their incessant attacks on solar and listen to the Australian people when they say they want more solar, not less.” said Ms Edwards.

Taegen Edwards is available for comment

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

Today’s release of the Federal Government’s Energy White paper fails to recognise the incredible opportunity of solar and renewable energy in Australia’s future energy mix.

Once again the Federal Government has shown their lack of understanding for what Australians want, more solar, not less, said Solar Citizens National Campaigner Taegen Edwards.

“The government are ignoring the golden opportunity provided by solar and renewable energy to lower the cost of power bills.” said Ms Edwards.

“Multiple sources including the government’s own Warburton Review of the Renewable Energy Target found that rooftop solar and renewable energy will work to reduce electricity prices for all Australian families by 2020.

“Investment in renewables has dramatically decreased because of the government's attack on renewables. This paper signals that this attack will continue.”

“Recent polling by Essential Research shows that an overwhelming 59% of Australians support an expansion of the RET to 50% by 2030. It’s clear that there is more leadership in the community than there is in Canberra.”

“Australians are demanding a long term vision for expanded solar and renewable energy, after all it just makes sense to use the abundant natural resources we have - and we have plenty of sunshine.

“The release of this white paper just reinforces the government's complete opposition to the solar industry.”

“The government need to stop their incessant attacks on solar and listen to the Australian people when they say they want more solar, not less.” said Ms Edwards.

Taegen Edwards is available for comment

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

Solar Citizens today launched a new national campaign ‘Stand Up For Solar, that will see thousands of Australians demonstrate strong support for ambitious solar policy. “Stand Up For Solar comes at a time when solar and renewable energy is under constant attack from our Federal Government and the big power companies,” Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said.

“Stand Up For Solar is a refreshing plan to see 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 with the rising cost of electricity bills,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“Australians are crying out for more solar not less. The many benefits of solar including lower power bills, clean energy and thousands of solid Australian jobs are well-recognised across the community.

“Before the Federal election there was bipartisan support for the Renewable Energy Target, but now the Government is breaking its word with constant threats to destroy the Target - what’s left is an industry in dire straits.”

“Recent polling by Essential Research shows that an overwhelming 59% of Australians support a 50% RET by 2030. It’s clear that there is more leadership in the community than there is in Canberra.”

“Australians are demanding a long term vision for expanded solar and renewable energy, after all it just makes sense to use the abundant natural resources we have - and we have plenty of sunshine. 

“So far the Abbott Government has failed to deliver. Stand Up For Solar will demonstrate that communities all over Australia want to see our politicians keep their promises and ensure a strong solar and renewable energy future,” said Ms O'Rourke.

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment.

Media Contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533

Stand up for Solar key asks

1. A strong solar and renewables goal

Australians want to see more solar and renewables, not less. A national goal of at least 50% of our energy generated by renewables by 2030 will help millions of families go solar, create tens of thousands of jobs and ensure billions in investment for our sunny country.

2. A fair go for solar owners

Going solar should be easy but big power companies simply aren’t playing fair. We want to see an end to discriminatory fees for solar owners, a fair feed in tariff for power fed back into the grid and a specialist solar ombudsman to protect consumers’ rights in every state and territory.

3. Helping households with soaring power bills

The only guaranteed way people can take control of spiralling power costs is by installing solar. We want to see a strong national program to support low-income households and renters switch to solar and help with the rising cost of living.

Read more about the campaign and take the pledge at

www.standupforsolar.org.au

Solar Citizens have launched their 2015 NSW Election Solar Scorecard, so when the people of NSW head to the polls on Saturday they are able to “Vote 1 Sun”.

“Our Solar Scorecard lays out the key solar policy positions of the major parties, so that voters are able to make an informed choice this Saturday,” said Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke.

“The Greens and The Christian Democratic party showed the strongest commitment to supporting solar in the next term of government. Labor also submitted a positive plan in response to the solar policy questions we put to them.

“While the Liberal Party stated their commitment to a solar future in NSW, their responses to our questions lacked the policy detail to back that up. They refused to commit to a fair price for solar fed into the grid and did not rule out discriminatory fees for solar homeowners.”

“By not giving concrete commitments to protect and grow solar Liberal Party leader, Mike Baird, has missed a golden opportunity to help people take control of rising power bills.”

“There are currently almost 300,000 solar households in NSW - all parties would do well to remember this.”

“NSW can take a leading role in the solar revolution, but only if its political leaders listen to the majority of the voters who want a solar future.”

“Solar Citizens urges all candidates contesting the NSW election to put the support of households who want to benefit from solar front and centre in the final days before the poll.”

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment

Media contact: Amy Gordon  0410 631 404

Solar Citizens NSW election six policy asks:

1. NO DISCRIMINATORY SOLAR FEES

Does your party guarantee to prevent fees and charges which discriminate against solar owners and people installing storage systems?

2. A FAIR PRICE FOR SOLAR FED INTO THE GRID

There is currently no regulated minimum price that NSW solar owners are paid for the electricity produced by their solar system, fed into the grid and on-sold by their retailer. Individual solar households have little power to negotiate with retailers and many more solar households will be in this position after the Solar Bonus Scheme wraps up in 2016.

Does your party commit to setting a regulated minimum retailer-paid feed-in tariff, set at a fair level for consumers who generate power and feed it back into our state’s energy supply?

3. REVERSE AUCTION TO BOOST COMMUNITY & LARGE-SCALE SOLAR

Will your party commit to launching a reverse auction process to support community and large-scale solar projects (similar to the scheme that has proven so successful in the ACT*) to allow people who cannot put solar on their own rooftop to benefit from the renewable energy revolution?    

4.TRIAL SOLAR STORAGE - THE WAY OF THE FUTURE

Does your party commit to launching a trial of solar with storage - the next big thing - at a household level (in 1,000 NSW homes) and also at a neighbourhood level to test innovation of technology and business models that will allow solar to run day and night and help maintain our state’s energy supply?

5. ENSURE A SMARTER NSW POWER GRID

Does your party commit to ensure networks will take the necessary measures to accommodate more solar in the grid in the future, enable innovative elements like virtual net metering and peer-to-peer solar energy trading and other aspects of a smarter, decentralised grid?

6. STAND UP FOR NSW SOLAR JOBS – PROTECT THE RET

Will your party call on the Federal Government to drop its attempt to slash the 41,000 GWh national Renewable Energy Target, that supports thousands of NSW solar jobs, helps with the price of installation and lowers the wholesale price of power for all consumers, and instead to advocate for the expansion of the Target to at least 50% by 2030?

Solar Citizens has welcomed news by Senator Glenn Lazarus that he has reaffirmed his support for a full 41,000 Gwh Renewable Energy Target (RET) 

A statement released by the Senator today confirmed he is strongly opposed to any attempt by the Abbott Government to reduce the RET. Senator Lazarus is also pushing both parties to aim for a higher Target.

“Senator Lazarus clearly understands the many benefits of solar and that Australians want more solar not less," said Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke.

"Senator Lazarus is keeping his promise to protect solar, renewable jobs and investment in Australia. 

“But the Government is breaking its word with their threats to wind back the RET - the result has deeply undermined the renewable energy industry.” 

“The Target is good for all Australians, whether they have rooftop solar or not. 

Cutting the RET will increase the cost of rooftop solar, making it harder for Australian households to take control of their power bills.”  

“In Senator Lazarus’ home state of Queensland alone, more than 400,000 solar households have already saved at least $213.6 million on power bills.

“Recent polling shows that the Target is hugely popular, with 89% of Australians wanting to keep the Target, including 64% of Liberal voters.”

“Australians are relying on Senators like Senator Lazarus to stay strong and save the Target from this deliberate attack from the Abbott Government that has caused enormous levels of harm to the renewable energy sector.” she said.

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment 

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404 

Media reports today that WA Energy Minister Mike Nahan plans to charge solar householders higher fixed network charges are nothing but a discriminatory attack on solar households, according to Solar Citizens.

“Minister Nahan has unfairly blamed the state’s solar households for rising energy prices – he should immediately apologise and rule out any plans to slug them more for network charges,” Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said.

“The Minister is playing politics with households who have proved they can lower their electricity costs and produce clean energy with rooftop solar,” she said.

Reports today said the WA government was proposing to increase charges for all electricity users, but the effect of proposed changes could see solar households paying more.

“There are close to 175,000 homes with rooftop solar power installed in Western Australia - these proposed charges are a blatant attempt to raise revenue from the very people who have made the sensible choice to reduce their electricity demand,” Ms O’Rourke said.

"Similar discriminatory charges were considered by the Newman government in Queensland in 2013, and they experienced a significant voter backlash. 

“Governments who genuinely care about rising power prices should congratulate consumers who install solar power, not wage unfair attacks on families who are taking active steps to manage their household budget.

Media contact: Amy Gordon  0434 489 533

Solar Citizens has welcomed the announcement by Labor leader Luke Foley that if elected Labor will commit to stronger support of renewable energy and household solar.

Labor’s renewable energy policy promises:

• Legislate a NSW 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020;

• A $14 million renewable energy hub;

• Protections for solar households and ensure a fair price for those who sell excess energy back to the grid;

• Purchase electricity for NSW Government departments and agencies from renewable sources where possible.

Solar Citizens National Director, Claire O’Rourke, said the policy announcement from Labor today was significant for people in NSW who want to take control of their household power bills by going solar.

“More than 260,000 NSW homes have already installed solar power to cut their electricity bills.”

“Rooftop solar means cheaper power for homeowners, not just those who have solar. It also means new jobs and less polluting power generation.”

“In January, at least 550 solar homeowners told a Senate Inquiry they felt like they’ve been unfairly treated by the big energy companies, including being hit with unfair or hidden charges and increases in service charges after installing solar.

“The next State Government is responsible for protecting solar households from these types of discriminatory dealings, for securing a fair price for the clean energy they provide to the grid and for making sure solar and other renewable industries thrive in NSW.”

“This is a positive first step to protect solar households from unfair fees, ensure that household power bills come down and jobs in the renewable energy industry are created.”

Claire O’Rourke is available for interview

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

Prime Minister Tony Abbott promised at the last election to support solar energy and grow jobs in the industry, but it has now reneged on that promise under pressure from the big power companies, according to Solar Citizens. 

National Director Claire O’Rourke said the Abbott government went to the 2013 election promising to support the Renewable Energy Target but broke its word once elected, launching a ferocious attack on renewables that is already causing havoc to Australia’s industry and could leave it in ruins.

“Solar Citizens is calling on the Abbott Government to support the best interests of Australia’s electricity consumers by keeping its promise to support the Renewable Energy Target of 41,000 gigawatt target,” Ms O’Rourke said today.

“Abbott’s unprecedented attacks on renewable energy are creating investor uncertainty on renewables, holding back jobs and denying savings for all Australian electricity consumers, whether they have rooftop solar or not.

“The move to break this promise on renewable energy was a ‘captain’s call’ from the Prime Minister . It is a policy that hurts the average Australian and benefits only the big power companies. Multiple sets of modelling demonstrates that the Target works to bring down the wholesale price of power, helping families with their power bills.

“Abbott’s assault on solar and renewable energy risks losing more than 8,000 jobs and billions of dollars of investment in renewable energy, one of Australia’s most successful new industries.

“We call on the Federal Government to quickly restore jobs and growth in the renewables sector in Australia by calling off negotiations to water down the Target and showing it supports consumers by restoring its support for the full 41,000 gigawatt RET,” she said.

Media contact: Amy Gordon  0410 631 404