Coalition introduces Bill to reinstate solar hot water rebate

The Coalition’s Greg Hunt gave notice on 13 March to introduce a Private Members’ Bill to restore the solar hot water rebate. The Bill will demand the government commit to the remaining $64.5 million of funding it had allocated for the solar hot water rebate scheme for 2011-2012.

“Solar hot water is a real and practical way that families can reduce their greenhouse emissions and cut their power bills,” said Hunt.

Hunt said the solar hot water industry is anticipating 1200 direct job losses in solar manufacturing and 6000 job losses in associated positions. The industry has been “devastated” by the scrapping of the rebate program, according to Hunt.

The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) has restated its earlier call to the government to reinstate the rebate program. AuSES Chief Executive John Grimes said the rebate program being scrapped has led to a significant drop in sales, putting many jobs in jeopardy and threatening Australia’s clean energy manufacturing future.

“AuSES supports any moves to restore the solar hot water rebate in the 2011/2012 financial year, but that alone will not provide long-term backing for the solar hot water industry,” Grimes said.

“Any resolution to the solar hot water issue must not be at the expense of solar PV or other renewable energy sources.”

The government’s decision to scrap the rebate program has also been criticised by the Sustainable Energy Association of Australia (SEA).

The coalition will seek Greens support for the Bill.