Greens Bill to stop solar PV rip-off

30/10/08 11:00 am

Greens MLC Mark Parnell has introduced a Private Members Bill to fix up the solar feed-in scheme, after discovering big energy retailers are ripping off well over $350,000 each year from SA households with solar panels.

“This is the great SA solar rip-off. At least another $350,000 should be going into the pockets of householders who have done the right thing by installing solar panels on their roof, not into the coffers of big electricity retailers,” Mr Parnell said.

“Despite public pressure, and many extremely upset customers, these big energy companies are refusing to do the right thing. So, I have introduced a Bill into Parliament to get it fixed up once and for all.

“Big energy companies should not be allowed a free ride, and should start paying for the electricity they receive from domestic solar power producers," he said.

When the feed-in scheme commenced on July 1st this year, companies including Origin and AGL took the opportunity to make windfall profits by no longer paying for the electricity they were receiving from households exporting power to the grid from their domestic solar panels. Solar panel owners should be receiving 2 payments:

1. A payment for the electricity the households export to the grid (paid for by the energy retailer) 2. An extra 44c/kilo watt hour feed-in premium (paid for by all domestic electricity consumers)

Instead, some retailers stopped paying the first amount and instead just started passing on the 44c premium (for which they didn’t pay) that was intended to ‘top up’ what households were already receiving. The Greens have calculated this will deliver a windfall profit of over $350,000 each year to Origin and AGL.

“The Greens have moved to close this loophole to ensure the benefit of the solar feed-in scheme will go to households who are doing the right thing, not to big power companies keen on a free ride,” he said.

printer friendly version