Cross benchers in the NSW upper house will block the O’Farrell government’s proposed retrospective legislation that would see existing feed in tariff contracts torn up for 120,000 customers.

The Daily Telegraph reports today that the Shooters and Fishers Party and the
Christian Democrats have said they will block retrospective changes to the solar feed in tariff.

“We congratulate the Shooters and Fishers Party and the Christian Democrats’ principled stand in respect to this legislation” said John Grimes Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES).

According to AuSES, Barry O’Farrell must today reverse his decision to retrospectively slash the solar feed in tariff which appears to be based on incorrect data from the last Government.

“Over the course of this week we have seen a massive public reaction against the proposed changes. The message to government is clear, when you enter a binding contract you are not at liberty to change the rules at some future date whenever it suits you,” Mr Grime said.

“The community is also clearly saying they want a fair go for solar. From 29th April new customers in NSW receive nothing for the clean solar power they produce and feed into the grid, and that’s not fair.”

“The utilities are making windfall profits because they then sell that electricity at a premium retail rate to the customer next door.”

“New customers should be paid the same for the solar power they provide to the grid, as for the power they draw down from the grid”.

Independent industry modelling shows that the cost to government and the utilities in adopting this scheme is close to zero.

“Unless this change is made immediately, 5,400 solar jobs will be slashed over the coming week, the government must act now to restore fairness in the solar debate”.