Toni and I were appalled when we heard about the Federal Government’s decision to means test the $8,000 rebate on photo-voltaic cells to those households earning less than $100,000 per annum.
While this may seem a reasonable thing to do at face value, the impact that this has had on the hard-won momentum in the solar industry has been catastrophic.
Local company Renewable Logic introduced their “1500 for 1500” initiative whereby people could purchase a 1kw PV system from Renewable Logic for $1,500 provided that 1,500 people applied.
This initiative brought PV cells within the reach of many households for the first time and Renewable Logic ended up getting more than 4,000 applications (including Toni and I).
However this number has dropped to less than 1,500 following the Federal Government’s announcement. Instead of paying just $1,500 for their panels, households earning more than $100,000pa would have to pay $9,500!! You can understand why so many have opted out.
The Federal Government should raise the means test threshold to $250,000—the same as that used for the Green Loans program.
I urge you to write to the Prime Minister, with copy to Peter Garrett. Feel free to make use of the dot points below.
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I write to request a review of the decision to introduce a $100,000pa household income means test for the solar PV rebate program.
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In principle I have no opposition to the application of a means test, however I believe the current test is too restrictive.
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I believe that this decision makes it harder for working families to take real and visible action to reduce their contribution to climate change.
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I suggest the means test should be changed to be in line with that announced for the household energy and water efficiency “green loans” program announced last year - being $250,000pa
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The ordinary Australians I talk to regularly want increased effort and assistance from Government – not cutbacks and restrictions.
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A national solar feed-in tariff would be a great way to really give solar a big boost in Australia – and has already been hugely successful in Japan and Germany.
Mr Rudd's postal address is:
PO Box 476A
MORNINGSIDE QLD 4170
Mr Garrett's postal address is:
PO BOX 249
MAROUBRA NSW 2035