The solar industry today questioned both the sensibility and legality of the New South Wales Government’s decision to retroactively reduce the Solar Bonus Scheme and close it permanently.

Solar Shop Australia Chief Executive Officer, Tony Thornton said Solar Shop Australia’s warning to the NSW Government that its original feed in scheme was too generous remains on the record and it is now too late to turn around and say that they got it wrong.

“Commitments have been made and Australians have spent millions of dollars purchasing systems with the expectation that they would receive a future repayment on those dollars invested,” Mr Thornton said.

Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) also said today’s decision by the NSW Government to wind up the Solar Bonus Scheme will send a chill down the spine of every NSW solar company and every resident concerned about climate change.

Accoding to AuSES Chief Executive Officer, John Grimes: “Without this counter weight, clean solar power is subsidising highly polluting coal-fired power and that makes no sense.”

“While AuSES welcomes the NSW Government’s confirmation it will honour existing applications for solar installations, it is deeply concerned about the future for solar in NSW.”

“The Government seems to be out of step with the more than 160,000 households that have backed rooftop solar. With this weight of public endorsement they should be supporting the solar industry, its customers and consumers and promoting a sustainable industry in NSW.”

AuSES said the decision to roll back the feed-in tariff for existing solar customers sets a disturbing precedent.

“The NSW Government is reaching into the pockets of householders and cleaning out their wallets. They are rewriting customers’ contracts and creating enormous sovereign risks for solar companies.

“New South Wales residents made investment decisions based on a government- guaranteed 60c per kilowatt hour payment. That has now been cut to 40c per kilowatt hour, and many householders will today be shaking their heads in disbelief and wondering how they will balance budgets.

AuSES is holding a rally on Wednesday 18 May at 11:30am in the Barnet Long Room at Customs House, Circular Quay, calling on the NSW Government to introduce a 1 for 1 feed-in tariff to support workers in the solar industry, and residents left in the lurch who want to play their part in the clean energy future.