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: It is worth opening a dialogue directly with one of the energy companies. There are opportunities here for them to raise their public profile and their environmental credentials and garner the support of a large group of power consumers. It must be remembered that solar produces electricity at peak demand times when the spot price jumps so that is a negotiating advantage. Good luck and more power to your elbow.
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
A: Maybe.
A: Maybe.
A: Maybe.
A: No.
A: no
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A: No.
A: The government is not going to change their mind so we have to make other plans to help ourselves. I think the second option proposed should be pursued aggressively
A: Maybe.
A: Yes.
A: It’s pointless trying to negotiate with the Newman government, it’s their way or the highway.
Best to work with open market forces and negotiate a better deal with the power companies.
A: There seems to be confusion about property sales where solar already exists. Some sellers seem to think the tarif discount they are receiving goes with the house to the purchaser.
I am not sure that is correct?
A: Yes.
A: Maybe.
A: No.
A: No.
A: where is the gain to the government in scraping the 8c tariff and leaving the 44c one? It is clearly discriminatory there are some citizens with privileges, and I am sure there should be a legal avenue to take the fight to.
A: No.
A: Only when we unite will we have the marketing clout to force retailers to pay a reasonable wholesale price for electricity generated based on fair business practice..
A: Maybe.
A: No.
A: No.
A: 8 cent feed-in is a joke; denying that is just beyond the pale.
A: Yes.
A: Why sell it to them at all? Yes, unite. But use your collective power to get off the grid entirely, as a community. The power companies are NOT interested in helping you. So leave them behind, and do it yourselves.
A: No.
A: Yes.