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: Yes.
A: If we cannot get the government of the day to protect the feed in price, then we should rally the troops and bring pressure on the energy retailers to provide a fair price. e.g. On a day of heavy demand, all Solar Citizens turn off their feed in system and see how the retailers react to being on the other end of the spectrum. There is enough Solar Citizens to make a difference!
A: I have recently switched away from Origin due to their desire to water down the RET. I found Diamond Energy who support the RET and supply 100% renewable energy. I want to stay with them for that reason. Perhaps they would provide a reasonable Feed In Tariff?
A: Yes.
A: Maybe.
A: There is a small family owned energy company based in western qld, maybe even Toowoomba or somewhere. It could be worth approaching them, with a view to forming a partnership to provide energy to increase their production. They recently (2013) submitted an application to purchase an energy plant that was being sold off by one of our southern govt. – maybe Vic? I cannot remember the details properly, but it would be easy enough to research. Sorry for being vague.
A: No.
A: I have a major problem with this approach of customer having to negotiate a fair price in that we are in an unequal position. They have all the power and we have next to none which is exactly why Newman is doing it. I would like to see some work on how to take us of grid and deny Electricity companies of solar whilst preventing them charging us more in fixed costs for energy we are not using.
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
A: Maybe.
A: Not at this time.
A: Maybe.
A: Maybe.
A: Maybe.
A: Both options should be pursued govy and industry
A: Maybe.
A: No.
A: A third option: go off grid. If enough of us do that we may be able to get better prices for the gear and make it affordable and financially efficient.
A: Yes.
A: it shouldn’t have to be up to the consumer to negotiate a good deal – retailers take opportunity and monopoly of the market and we become reasonably powerless e.g. coles and woollies!! that is not good for the consumer but good for the company. we need to see the consumer be a winner too which too often does not happen as governments pave way for companies to line their pockets at our expense while they stand back and tell us it is all in competitive marketing.
A: No.
A: Yes.
A: Apparently the Sun provides enough solar energy to keep the whole World powered up
A: Yes.
A: No.
A: We don’t have a choice of retailers here so it would be a take-it-or-leave-it deal for us. It might be better, although I don’t hold out much hope with the LNP, to strike a deal with the state government.
A: If needed, to backup negotiations especially with govt, resort to strike action. That is , on a day of very high temps & power demand; switch off our solar feed-ins.
A: I think its important that State Governments accept their responsibility to promote Solar. Therefore it is also important that Governments negotiate with energy retailers to ensure there is a just feed in tariff.
A: Research from solar installers if it is safe to ‘Turn Off’ a residential solar array and if so how best it should be done. Then try a group ‘switch off’ coordinated by email only. One day may help the minister in his thinking?