Solar energy is getting loads of public attention this week, now that the Australian government has announced the less than desired drop in Queensland’s Feed In Tariff. For most, getting all of your unused energy back at 40 to 52 cents a kw, was considered, “a nitch in the system.” But according to, The Brisbane Times, as of July 10th, The Australian government is significantly dropping the Queensland Feed In Tariff to a measly 8 cents, leaving no signs of recovery.
For the past several months, Queensland’s Feed In Tariff made going solar virtually cost-free, due to the high rates of all the energy companies willing to pay the consumer for all their unused energy. Unfortunately, many procrastinated the offer not fully understanding the concept and only now are kicking themselves for not jumping on while they had the chance.
Many QLD solar companies are hiring several employees for this week alone, due to the exponential high demand of consumers. Up until recently, QLD had been the exception, being the only state left in Australia that The Feed In Tariff was still in effect for and most House owners assumed they had plenty of time before the Feed In Tariff would be taken away.
The real question is, why is it being taken away? Renewable energy is no myth, nor is the endless benefits from which it brings. With the carbon tax recently being introduced, electricity prices in Australia are supposed to double in five years and triple in ten. What will home owners do, now that electricity prices continue to climb and “going solar” will no longer pay for itself? Are the Australian people expected to slowly go into debt with the continuous rise in electric and the no longer affordable solar option? It is no secret that continuing to tax people is not the cure, but rather a short-term economic fix.
Logically, would it not be more cost efficient to invest long-term in renewable energy like solar, than it would be to continue our current economic path? Why not invest in the cure instead of the medicine? Do you think the Australian government should upkeep the current system as it is, while electricity prices continue to climb implementing an inevitably higher carbon tax? Or do you think they should invest in making renewable energy standard for all homes, in order to significantly reverse the need for a carbon tax at all?
