Solar Citizens today warned a push by the Abbott Government for a ‘compromise’ that will slash the Renewable Energy Target (RET) will lock in more expensive power prices for all Australians.



Solar Citizens Campaigns Director Taegen Edwards said the Government had ignored the advice of its own Warburton Review that found having rooftop solar power and renewables in the nation’s energy mix brings down power prices in the long-term.

“The Abbott Government’s broken promise on support for RET puts thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of investment at risk and ultimately pushes up power prices for everyone,” Ms Edwards said.

“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.”

“Australians have a love affair with solar, with more than 1.3 million Australian homes generating power from the sun.”

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

“Last week Clean Energy Finance Corporation Chief Executive, Oliver Yates told a Senate Estimates committee that the Government had taken the industry back 12 years.”

“The clean energy industry is struggling with the uncertainty of the negotiations.”

“The Abbott Government can show that they’re in touch with the Australian public and the renewable energy industry by committing to the full 41,000 Gwh Target, “ Ms Edwards said.

Taegen Edwards is available for comment

Media Contact: Amy Gordon, 0410 631 404

The Abbott Government’s continued attack on the Renewable Energy Target is a broken election promise that is destroying the renewable energy industry and holding back savings on household power bills, according to Solar Citizens.

Since being elected, Tony Abbott has waged a ferocious attack on renewables that is already harming the industry in Australia and could run it into the ground, Solar Citizens National Campaigns Director Taegen Edwards said today.

“Abbott’s backflip in support for solar energy puts thousands of jobs and billions of dollars of investment at risk and ultimately pushes up power prices for everyone,” she said.

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

“The move to break this promise on renewable energy was another bad ‘captain’s call’ from Abbott. It shows he is out of step with the community, many in his own party and other political leaders who want more, not less renewable energy in the country’s power mix.

“The Renewable Energy Target is extremely popular, with polls showing 89% of Australians want to keep or strengthen the Target, including 64% of self-identified Liberal voters. Prime Minister Abbott should be listening to the people rather than making decisions that only benefit the big power companies.

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

“We call on the Federal Government to restore jobs and growth in the renewables sector in Australia by restoring its support for the full 41,000 Gwh Target,” Ms Edwards said  

Taegen Edwards is available for comment

Media Contact: Amy Gordon 0421 367 175

Solar Citizens welcomes the NSW Greens’ renewable energy policy announcement and its commitment to support and grow household rooftop solar energy in the state.

The Green’s renewable energy plan includes setting up new public sector agencies that will give advice and financial support to help households and small businesses save money on electricity bills by making the shift to solar, with direct assistance to the low income and vulnerable.  

They have also committed to finance rooftop solar and to invest in a smart grid improving the ability of household and business owners to buy and sell the clean, solar energy produced on their rooftops.   

Solar Citizens Campaigns Director Taegen Edwards said more than 260,000 NSW households had already invested in rooftop solar as an effective way of reducing their power bills and the Green’s plan would help that number grow.

“The Greens are to be congratulated on their election commitment to making NSW a leader on renewable energy,” Ms Edwards said today.

“A study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems found solar power will be the cheapest form of energy for Australia within a decade. The cost of solar is predicted to fall to between AUD $0.05 and $0.15 per kilowatt hour by 2025.

Solar Citizens also welcomes the Greens support for state legislation to insulate NSW’s current and future renewable energy generators against any reduction in the federal government's Renewable Energy Target.

“We call on all parties contesting the NSW Election to take action in support of this clean, cost-effective energy source. NSW is lucky enough to have abundant solar resources and we should make the most of it to power our homes, businesses and economy.

“The next State Government is responsible for making sure solar and other renewable industries are supported so household power bills come down, and new investment and jobs in these promising industries are created for NSW.”

Taegen Edwards is available for comment

Media contact: Amy Gordon, 0410 631 404

There are growing calls for Federal and State Governments to support lower income families with the rising cost of power bills by investing in renewable energy following media reports soaring power costs have lead to a record number of disconnections in Victoria.

Solar CItizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said solar helps reduce the cost of power bills for all Australians, helping these families by investing in solar power just makes sense.

“The rise in power prices is disproportionately hitting people on lower incomes. We need Federal and State Governments to support these families by investing in solar,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“The Renewable Energy Target (RET) makes good policy sense for Australia. The Federal Government’s own Warburton review found rooftop solar reduced electricity prices for all Australians, whether they had solar installed or not.”

“Any move to wind back or slash the RET will mean higher power prices rise for all Australians by 2020.”

“Solar homeowners have already saved more than $168 million on their electricity bills. If our Federal politicians are really concerned with the rise in the cost of living, solar is the key to reducing this burden on all homes,” said Ms O’Rourke.


Claire O’Rourke is available for comment

Media contact: Amy Gordon  0410 631 404

Solar Citizens will today give evidence on behalf of 550 solar homeowners who feel they have been unfairly treated by the big electricity companies at the Federal Senate Inquiry into the performance and management of electricity network companies.

The Inquiry is investigating links between higher electricity prices and over-investment in the national grid, known as ‘goldplating’. The hearing today in Sydney will hear how pricing of network services is discriminating against households and businesses who make the sensible generate their own energy to take control of their power bills.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said it was appalling that the overwhelming majority of submissions received from solar homeowners showed they had been treated unfairly by their energy provider.

“The Inquiry submissions of 550 solar homeowners raise the serious question of whether the big electricity companies are trying to systematically deter or disadvantage people who chose to generate their own cost-effective solar power on their roofs,”Ms O’Rourke said.

“The key concerns we heard were people being hit with unfair or hidden fees, an increase in service charges after installing solar, exorbitant fees for installing poles and wires in rural areas and questionable practices from the big power companies.

“The fact is, the biggest component of power bills is network charges, the poles and wires - these charges amount to as much as 60% of the average household electricity bill.

“Australians should be charged for the electricity they use, not the inflated, goldplated prices electricity companies charge.

“Solar can help to bring down power bills by more than 50%, which is one reason why there are 1.3 million solar homes around Australia.”

Through initiatives like the Renewable Energy Target, solar and other renewable energy sources work to lower prices for all Australians, by reducing the wholesale price of power in the longer term.”

“If the Federal government moves to cut the Renewable Energy Target we will see higher power prices for all Australians. Protecting the Renewable Energy Target is good for all Australian consumers, whether they have rooftop solar installed or not.

“Our hope is that this inquiry will make strong recommendations to prevent discriminatory and unfair actions against solar owners and help all Australians households with the rising cost of power prices.” Ms O’Rourke said.

Some typical submissions from solar homeowners include:

• “It was astonishing to find that my last electricity bill had gone up by more than 200%, even though my actual usage had not changed at all.”
• “I had a 70% increase in the service fee from one quarter to the next. There was no explanation.”
• “When we changed over to solar PV, the service charge went from about 80 cents a day to $1.30 and the kwh went from 19 cents to 33 cents, completely negating the savings we were making with our solar panels.”
• “I live in a rural area, where the nearest power line is perhaps a kilometre away for some people. We have been told they will have to pay up to $10,000 to get the power on.”

Details of Inquiry Hearing
What: Senate Inquiry into ‘gold plating’ by the big energy companies
Where: The Portside Centre, 207 Kent Street, Sydney
When: 17 February 2015,
Speakers: Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke (Claire is scheduled to appear at 4.10pm)

Claire O’Rourke is available for interview.

Interviews with individuals who made submission are also available.

Media contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

Media reports today on the workings of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) are misleading, with evidence that the Target works to reduce power prices for all Australian consumers, according to Solar Citizens.

National Director Claire O’Rourke said the Government’s Warburton Review clearly showed rooftop solar and renewable energy helped reduce electricity prices for all households in the long-term - whether they had rooftop solar installed or not.

“The Prime Minister promised Australians a fresh start yesterday and there’s no better place to start than returning to bipartisan support for the full RET by 2020 with no changes,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“The current 41,000 gigawatt Target will deliver cheaper power prices for all Australians and create at least another 15,000 jobs in solar and renewables by 2020.

“More than 1.3 million Australian households have made the sensible choice and installed solar rooftop systems so they can generate clean energy and take control of their power bills.

“Most of those households are in lower and middle income suburbs, areas that are most vulnerable to power price rises.

“The Federal Government should support good policy, such as the Target, that allows more people to go solar.

“The Federal Government should end its unpopular attempts to destroy the Target, as it creates jobs, growth and investment, and works to reduce the price of electricity for all consumer,” Ms O’Rourke said.

Claire O’Rourke is available for interview

Media contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

Solar voters have 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 the LNP’s refusal to commit to a fair feed in tariff, protect solar jobs and support the Renewable Energy Target had alienated voters who are making the sensible choice to take control of their rising power bills by going solar.

“The next Queensland Government would be wise to learn from the election result and move to immediately end the unpopular attacks on solar homeowners and businesses,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“The most recent data tells us that there are more than 420,000 solar households in Queensland who voted in this election.

“The new Queensland Government should make sure solar and other renewable industries are supported so household power bills come down and new investment and jobs in these twenty-first century industries are created for Queensland.

The Federal Government would be wise to learn from the Queensland election result and end it unpopular attempts to destroy the Target, as it works to reduce the price of electricity for all consumers - whether they have solar or not, Ms O’Rourke said.

“The message is also clear for Prime Minister Abbott, his Government and the vested interests trying to hold back renewable energy in this country is clear: help deliver a bright future for Australian energy now or make way for political leadership that can get this done,” she said.

Media contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533

Solar Citizens has launched a new Election 2015 Solar Scorecard so Queenslanders heading to the polls on Saturday are able to “Vote 1 Sun”.

“Our Solar Scorecard lays out all of the major parties’ solar policy, so that when Queenslanders head to the polls they can make an informed choice,” said Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke.

“Overall, Labor, The Greens and The Palmer United Party made positive responses to solar policy questions we put to them. They all have clear plans to support solar and solar homeowners in the Sunshine State.

“However the policies from the Newman Government are bitterly disappointing as it continues its attack on solar home owners.

“The LNP needs to do a better job for solar in QLD. By refusing to commit to a fair feed in tariff, or to protect solar jobs and the Renewable Energy Target they are alienating voters and missing an opportunity to help people take control of spiralling power bills.

“A recent poll conducted found that 27% of Australian households have rooftop solar power installed. The most recent data tells us that there are more than 420,000 solar households in Queensland - all parties contesting Saturday’s election would be wise to remember this.

“The next State Government is responsible for making sure solar and other renewable industries are supported so household power bills come down and new investment and jobs in these promising industries are created for Queensland.

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

Claire O’Rourke is available for comment

Media contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

See the Queensland Election 2015 Solar Scorecard and the full responses from all parties here: http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/scorecard

Solar Citizens: Queensland Election 2015 policy questions put to all major parties:

Solar Citizens has put the following policy positions to Premier Campbell Newman and the leaders of all major parties in Queensland to ask them where they stand on the five major issues facing solar:

1. A FAIR PRICE FOR SOLAR FED INTO THE GRID

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

2. NO DISCRIMINATORY SOLAR FEES

Does your party guarantee no unfair fixed charges for solar homes and to roll back the ridiculous $500-a-day service charge that discriminates against solar users?

3. TRIAL SOLAR STORAGE - THE WAY OF THE FUTURE

Does your party commit to launching a trial of solar plus storage - the next big thing - in 1000 Queensland homes 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?

4. ONE MILLION SOLAR ROOFTOPS

Will your party commit to setting a target for achieving one million Queensland rooftops (including for low income earners, schools and public buildings) to have solar power installed by end of the next term of government?

5. STAND UP FOR QLD SOLAR JOBS – PROTECT THE RET

Will your party declare full support for the national Renewable Energy Target, that supports thousands of Queensland solar jobs, helps with the price of installation and lowers the wholesale price of power for all consumers, and will your party pledge to call on the Federal Government to expand the RET to at least 50% by 2030?

Solar Citizens across Queensland are calling on major political parties to deliver stronger commitments to support rooftop solar and renewable energy ahead of the January 31 state election.

According to National Director Claire O’Rourke “Solar Citizens are urging all parties contesting the Queensland election to put the support of households who want to benefit from generating their own energy front and centre this election.”

“Queensland has one-third of Australia’s rooftop solar capacity with more than 380,000 homes with solar PV installed - that means solar homes are the fourth biggest capacity power generator in the state.”

“Solar has helped households reduce electricity bills and has created at least 6,000 jobs for Queenslanders in small to medium sized businesses. That’s why we are calling on Queenslanders to “Vote 1 Sun” and pledge to vote for sensible, positive solar policy this election.”

“The Newman government has wiped out mandatory feed-in tariffs, slapped discriminatory $500/day charges on larger solar users and wound back a host of renewable energy initiatives.

“Premier Campbell Newman and his government needs to stop attacking solar homeowners and siding with the big power companies,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“Blaming solar owners for the rise in power bills is wrong and unfounded. Queenslanders want more solar, not less because it just makes sense.
“All parties would be wise to remember there are more than 380,000 solar households in Queensland, who will all be voting with solar in mind this election.

“Queenslanders want the next government to stand up for solar homeowners and solar jobs this election and we look forward to hearing positive solar policy announcements as the election approaches.”

Claire O’Rourke is available for interview.
See the Vote 1 Sun pledge here: http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/vote

Media contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

Solar Citizens: Queensland Election 2015 policy position

Solar Citizens has put the following policy positions to Premier Campbell Newman and the leaders of all major parties in Queensland to ask them where they stand on the five major issues facing solar:

1. A FAIR PRICE FOR SOLAR FED INTO THE GRID
Commit to setting a regulated minimum feed-in-tariff, set at a fair level for consumers who generate power and feed it back into our state’s energy supply.

2. NO DISCRIMINATORY SOLAR FEES
Guarantee no unfair fixed fees and charges for solar homes and rollback of the ridiculous $500-a-day charge for larger solar users.

3. TRIAL SOLAR STORAGE - WAY OF THE FUTURE
A trial of solar plus storage in 1000 Queensland homes - the next big thing - that can test innovation of technology and business models and will allow solar to run day and night and help maintain our state’s energy supply.

4. ONE MILLION SOLAR ROOFTOPS
One million Queensland roofs (low income earners, schools and public buildings) to have solar power installed by end of the next term of Government.

5. STAND UP FOR QLD SOLAR JOBS – PROTECT THE RET
Declare full support for the national Renewable Energy Target, that supports thousands of Queensland solar jobs, helps with the price of installation and lowers the wholesale price of power for all consumers, and pledge to call on the Federal Government to expand the RET to at least 50% by 2030.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has confirmed that the solar revolution is taking place on rooftops across the nation with the release of new data today showing one in five households now use solar energy.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said millions of Australian are now experiencing for themselves the benefits of rooftop solar.

“The growing number of Australian households with rooftop solar are generating local jobs, producing clean energy and taking control of their power bills,” Ms O’Rourke said today.

“We know that most households that have installed solar are on lower and middle incomes because these people are more sensitive to rises in power prices and solar helps reduce power costs.

“Many more households are looking to install solar as a way to take control of their rising power bills. 

“The best way the Federal Government can support Australian households in making the transition to solar energy and reducing the cost of power is to keep the Renewable Energy Target strong. 

“The Government’s own Warburton Review showed that having rooftop solar and renewable energy in the national power mix would reduce electricity prices for all Australian families in the long-term.

“New polling from The Australian Institute shows 75% of Australians support an increase in the Renewable Energy Target, not a decrease.

“Significantly, 64% of self-identified Liberal voters support an increased Target, while 43% of Liberal voters agree with an ambitious Target of 50% or more renewables by 2030.

“Our political leaders should catch up with the vast majority of the community and the one in five households who use solar energy and support more solar, not less,” she said.

Claire O'Rourke is available for comment. 

Download the ABS solar data here: http://bit.ly/1yH1KPn

Solar Citizens can assist with case studies of households who have installed solar hot water heating or solar power in most Australian capital cities and some major regional centres.

Media contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404