Friday 8 January 2010

Solar power buyback levy defended

www.abc.net.au
Jan 4, 2010

The New South Wales Government has defended its decision to charge all electricity users a compulsory levy to cover the costs of its solar energy bonus scheme. Under the scheme solar panel owners can sell all the power they generate to their electricity retailer and then buy it back at a third of the price. Critics say the scheme effectively forces struggling households and businesses to pay more, while rewarding those who are wealthy enough to be able to afford solar energy.

But the Minister John Robertson says the levy is small and fair. "The scheme means families who could never afford to install solar will now be able to do so," he said. "Our independent economic modelling shows the cost to the average household could be as little as 48 cents a bill and certainly no more than a dollar ninety a quarter. "The government's being very cautious and we're going to review the scheme within two years."

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