Brisbane Solar Industry Under Threat

How things have changed since we wrote the http://solar-worx.com/australian-state-and-federal-solar-power-incentives-case-study/ post. The now greatly reduced 8 cent feed tariff has sent shock waves through the Brisbane solar installation market. It is estimated that the number of solar installations in the Brisbane metropolitan area have shrunk by 30 percent since the reduction in the solar f.i.t. This takes into account the people who signed up for the 44 cent f.i.t. and have yet to have their system installed. The deadline for the installation of solar power systems to qualify for the 44 cent f.i.t. is 30 June 2013. After this date we expect there to be a further drop off in solar uptake. What a sad state of affairs - the incentives offered in Queensland to date have been very successful in promoting 'green energy' in the state with the most sunshine. The introduction of the much touted carbon tax was supposed to go hand in hand with the roll out of renewable / 'clean' energy technologies - including solar power.

THE FUTURE FOR SOLAR PANELS IN QUEENSLAND - POST JUNE 30 2013?

Brian Rhodes a veteran of the Brisbane solar panel market claims that the Brisbane solar power market could well drop another 15 percent after 30 June this year. however, he predicts that the continued concerned over increasing Qld. electricity pricing plus ongoing awareness of green technology will prompt the gradual resurgence within nine to twelve months.

HOW DID THE FEED SOLAR TARIFF CUT EFFECT PROSPECTIVE SOLAR POWER SYSTEM BUYERS?

Brian claims that the low f.i.t. environment makes solar system size matching to the residents daytime power usage more important than ever. Consumers with solar systems need to try and ensure they feed minimal power back to the grid (as they receive 8 cents, but pay 23 cents)

UPDATE 4 APRIL 2013 - NETWORK COST DRIVERS TO ELECTRICITY PRICING 2013 - 2020

It is looking more and more like network costs (recent examples from N.S.W. and Qld.) are going to be the key drivers in determining future electricity tariff increases from now well into the 2020s. The latest forecasts show that increases of the upgrade and repair of the networks for all Australian states could represent an ASTOUNDING 30+ PERCENT OF THE EXPECTED POWER PRICE INCREASES. Modelling is in progress at the C.D.A. and due to be release Q3 2013 - we watch with interest. This will have a major impact on solar power uptake in all Australian states as well as all other forms of renewable energy.

- Steve Jones