The Australian Solar Council has released a statement outlining recommendations to the government concerning the Renewable Energy Target (RET).
Australia's RET is set at 20 per cent by 2020, meaning that by that time 20 per cent of Australia's energy should be coming from renewable energy sources such as solar power and wind energy.
On December 19 2012, the Climate Change Authority (CCA) released its review and recommendations on the RET. The Australian Solar Council is urging the government to address the report and its proposals, as they have not yet issued a response to it.
The CCA report asserted that adjusting the RET above or below the current 20 per cent would be risky as it could undermine investor confidence.
One of the more controversial recommendations from the CCA was the suggestion to lower the threshold within the small-scale renewable energy scheme from 100 kW to 10 kW.
The Australian Solar Council opposes this, arguing that the cut would undermine commercial and industrial solar, and that using more commercial scale solar will play a part in reducing power bills for consumers.
The Australian Solar Council also recommends a four-yearly review of the RET, as opposed to the two year suggestion. It argues that a two year review means the program is always under review and endangers its future.
Posted by Mike Peacock