Queenslanders are heading to the polls this Saturday and the talk of solar policy is heating up in the sunshine state. The Dialogue to Change program has outlined the key issues that each government needs to address for their to be a successful outcome in the biggest group dialogue of the year. Those issues for each party to address in order to adhere to the Seven Core Principles of dialogue and deliberation are:
A fair price for solar fed back into the grid
Currently there are around 423,00 Queensland homes and businesses that use solar panels, making Queensland the state that produces the most solar power in the nation. What is your political party going to commit to in terms of a regulated feed-in tariff for consumers who generate power and feed it back into the state’s energy grid? In Germany, solar has successfully helped to reduce the price of electricity by 10% but this same reduction is yet to be seen in Queensland where energy companies keep the reduction for themselves. The Greens have stated that they will ensure a fair price for solar households where the remuneration paid is what their energy is worth at the time of production. Labor has also come to the party and have outlined a “Productivity Commission” to investigate a fair price.
Trialing solar storage
Solar storage is the next big thing in solar energy. We asked Matt Harris from Top Frog Energy, one of the state’s leading solar roof vents and solar panel suppliers about solar storage technology and he informed us that the most common technique was solar battery banks. Traditionally used for off-grid solar systems, the battery bank systems are a key issue and all parties need to commit to trialing the new technologies on offer. By funding these technologies, homeowners and businesses across the state will be able to get the most out of the energy they’re producing.
Discriminatory solar fees
Currently there are a range of industry killing charges that were put in place in July by the Queensland Competition Authority and the State Government that enforce a $500 p/day service charge on Queensland businesses. The design of these tariffs are constructed in such a way that it doesn’t cost the business directly, but it removes the incentive to switch to solar power as the costs are comparable. This was another of the LNP’s sneaky ploys that the Greens, Katter and Palmer parties have come out in opposition of.
Solar jobs and the renewable energy target
All of the political parties bar the LNP have come up with a satisfactory response to building the solar job market in the state. This has a follow on effect that lowers the price of wholesale power, helps with associated costs such as installation of solar roof vents and solar panel systems and of course bolsters the economy. the renewable energy target also needs to be at least 50% by 2030 if we have any chance of you know, saving the planet.
One million solar rooftops
If all of the above issues are addressed then getting one million solar panel systems installed on Queensland homes should be a walk in the park, and it should start with those who benefit most. The Greens and Labor have outlined similar plans with the Greens dedicating $30 million for 60,000 low-interest loans payable through council rates for solar panel installations. By increasing the tariff, many people who can afford the solar vents and panels will finally make the investment.
So through the seven core principles of dialogue and deliberation we’ve discovered the key solar issues for the solar argument in this year’s election. As Study circles don’t advocate a particular solution and instead, welcome many points of view around a shared concern, we’re not going to tell you how to vote on Saturday. But it’s possible through transparency and trust (using the terms loosely when referring to government) and assessment of policy to make the best decision for your interest in the community.
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