http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/12/18/the-solar-wars-hidden-handouts-for-polluters/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:48:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/12/18/the-solar-wars-hidden-handouts-for-polluters/#comment-7788 Bernard Keane Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-7788 You're forgetting electricity price regulation, Sheila. You’re forgetting electricity price regulation, Sheila.

]]> http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/12/18/the-solar-wars-hidden-handouts-for-polluters/#comment-7789 Sheila Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-7789 Not really correct to say that the new scheme takes the pressure off the budget and puts the cost of renewables where it belongs (on power companies). The change in the scheme actually shifts the cost from the budget to households and businesses that use electricity. As with the costs associated with the CPRS, the costs of the new solar support scheme will be passed through to consumers by power companies and will flow to (all) end users of electricity. Because the CPRS will set a cap on overall carbon emissions, the solar scheme won't generate any extra reductions in greenhouse pollution. So the average bloke in the street will actually pay more for electricity so that those who can afford to do so can feel good about themselves by having solar panels on their roof, but with absolutely no net environmental benefit at all. To the extent that low income households are blocked from particpation by a lack of capital to meet upfront costs, the scheme is also regressive. Lots of losers, just not quite sure who the winners are... Not really correct to say that the new scheme takes the pressure off the budget and puts the cost of renewables where it belongs (on power companies). The change in the scheme actually shifts the cost from the budget to households and businesses that use electricity. As with the costs associated with the CPRS, the costs of the new solar support scheme will be passed through to consumers by power companies and will flow to (all) end users of electricity. Because the CPRS will set a cap on overall carbon emissions, the solar scheme won’t generate any extra reductions in greenhouse pollution. So the average bloke in the street will actually pay more for electricity so that those who can afford to do so can feel good about themselves by having solar panels on their roof, but with absolutely no net environmental benefit at all. To the extent that low income households are blocked from particpation by a lack of capital to meet upfront costs, the scheme is also regressive. Lots of losers, just not quite sure who the winners are…

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