In a move described by the Australian Solar Council as ‘a sign of strength’, the Labor Party has walked out on negotiations over the future of the Renewable Energy Target […]
Category: Federal Government solar panel incentives
Solar Choice Blog entries about Australian government Solar Power incentive schemes
Coalition maintains position on ‘real 20%’ RET, but could small-scale solar take the hit instead?
Although it may to some degree be a matter of political posturing in order to ensure room for negotiations, the Coalition government is quite vocally holding firm on its call […]
Enphase to release modular battery storage units
Enphase have released details of their plug-and-play AC battery storage units, designed as part the Enphase ‘Energy Management System’ (EMS). They are designed to be easily installed and modular, such […]
Over 1 gigawatt of new solar was installed under small-scale RET in last 14 months: Green Energy Trading
Continued uncertainty over the future of Australia’s Renewable Energy Target has boosted the nation’s uptake of rooftop solar, according to a new report, helping to push the total amount installed […]
Renewable Energy Target state-of-play: What you need to know
Sydney Morning Herald Environment Editor Peter Hannam has provided a lucid overview of where things stand with the Renewable Energy Target (RET). The piece is worth a read for anyone who […]
Coalition draws lines for start to negotiations on Renewable Energy Target’s future
The Coalition has come out swinging–albeit not as furiously is it might have–in negotiations over the future of the Renewable Energy Target. Key to the Government’s initial position on the […]
PM’s cabinet considering rejection of RET Review recommendations: Financial Review
The Prime Minister’s office looks set to disregard the key recommendations handed to the government by the Renewable Energy Target Review panel last month, according to the Australian Financial Review, with […]
Australian investment in large-scale renewables took a nose-dive in 2014 due to RET uncertainty
A report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance shows that Australia is on track to record its lowest level of asset financing for large-scale renewables since 2002, with just $193 million […]
Solar Council teams up with QLD Council of Unions and Queensland Conservation in support of RET
The Australian Solar Council has joined forces with the Queensland Council of Unions and Queensland Conservation to back the nation’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) and to push for strong solar […]
Rally for Renewables draws hundreds outside Abbott’s office in Manly, NSW
On Friday 26 September around 250 renewable energy supporters gathered outside the office of Prime Minister Tony Abbott in Manly, NSW to participate in the Rally for Renewables. The purpose […]
Solar PV saving tens of thousands of Aussie businesses over $64m/year
More than 15,000 Australian businesses are saving a collective $64 million a year on their energy bills after installing solar PV, a new report has found. According to a report […]
National Rally for Renewables delivers strong message to MPs across Australia
Renewable Energy Target supporters are turning out for events across Australia today as part of the National Rally for Renewables, a campaign coordinated by pro-renewables groups, peak bodies and industry […]
South Australia, meeting 33% target early, ups state renewable energy target to 50% by 2020
South Australia’s Labor government has boosted its renewable energy target to 50 per cent by 2025, up from the 33 per cent target it has already met, six years ahead […]
Labor, Greens & PUP stand up for RET at first Save Solar Community Forum in Sydney
The Australian Solar Council has declared its first Save Solar Community Forum a success, with representatives of Labor, the Greens and the Palmer United Party (PUP) coming together under one […]
Shorten: Abbott must reject Warburton review as prerequisite for deal on RET
In a show of support for Australia’s rooftop solar industry, the leader of the opposition, Bill Shorten, has called on the government to ignore the recommendations of the latest RET […]
Labor affirms support for unaltered RET
The Australian Labor Party has reaffirmed its support for the Renewable Energy Target in its current form, with ALP leader Bill Shorten saying that the RET review panel’s report containing […]
Giant outback solar farm to electrify SE Asia: an idea so crazy it might just work
Would you believe me if I told you that we could power our nation’s energy use by covering less than 0.01% of Australia with solar panels? It sounds crazy but […]
Climate Change Authority chief recommends maintaining RET but extending timeframe
The chairman of the Climate Change Authority has weighed in on the debate over Australia’s Renewable Energy Target, arguing it should be kept at its current level, but extended over […]
Uncertainty about RET, already plaguing renewables investment, could also drive up electricity prices for consumers
Electricity prices could jump dramatically if the future of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) is not settled by the next election, according to analysis published by Bloomberg New Energy Finance […]
Solar Citizens, Solar Council deliver letter from 500+ solar companies to government urging sense on the RET
Representatives from Australia’s solar industry have delivered a letter to the Abbott government calling on it to back jobs and investment in the solar industry by maintaining the 41,000GWh Renewable […]
Coalition hints at openness to compromise on Renewable Energy Target: Financial Review
Officials in the Coalition have hinted that the government is unlikely to seek to eliminate Australia’s Renewable Energy Target (RET) and that a compromise with the Opposition in which the […]
Royalla Solar Farm developer FRV to quit Australia if RET Review recommendations implemented
The global solar developer behind Australia’s largest solar farm has warned that it would up cease doing business in this country if the Abbott government implemented the recommendations of the […]
Lazarus, with an Abbott bypass: What PUP’s support means for the RET
Palmer United senator Glenn Lazarus last week reaffirmed his party’s support for Australia’s Renewable Energy Target following the release of the RET review panel’s report recommending that the scheme be […]
What the Renewable Energy Target review panel’s report means for those thinking about going solar
The panel tasked with reviewing the Renewable Energy Target has recommended that the scheme “should be substantially reformed” in its report on the topic released yesterday, confirming earlier reports to this effect. Among the more […]
As solar industry braces for RET review results, solar boom looks imminent
The Australian Solar Council, in preparation for the the announcement of the recommendations of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) review panel, has urged installers across the country to ‘sell solar’ in […]
Coalition would need to ‘get the Greens convinced’ in order to abolish RET: Palmer
In an encouraging sign that he will not be backing down (or backflipping) on his promise to support the Renewable Energy Target (RET), Clive Palmer has sarcastically commented that the Coalition will […]
Moree Solar Farm reaches financial close, construction to begin ‘immediately’
One of the largest solar farms in Australia’s pipeline has reached financial close and will begin construction immediately, according to a press release from its developer, FRV. Moree Solar Farm […]
RET report delayed as review panel asks for extension; renewables industry continues to hold its breath
The panel tasked with reviewing the Renewable Energy Target (RET) has requested an extension to complete its final report, according to the Australian Financial Review. The report, which was originally […]
CEFC earmarks $120 million for solar leasing in Australia
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC), after surviving another government attempt to legislate its dismantling, has announced $120 million worth of financing for solar leasing deals and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) in […]
Solar employs more people than coal industry, and keeps electricity prices down: Australia Institute
New research has shown that the fast-growing Australian solar industry is both creating jobs and pushing down electricity prices, despite claims to the contrary from power networks and the fossil […]
Solar PV market could go the way of solar hot water if RET is weakened
Australia’s rooftop solar PV market risked following in the disastrous path of the solar hot water market if changes were made to the Renewable Energy Target, industry has warned. Estimates […]