Queensland solar rebate cuts will cost jobs, Clean Energy Council says

More than 4500 solar jobs could be lost in the next 12 months, according to the Clean Energy Council (CEC). The CEC made the prediction after the Queensland Government announced changes to the Solar Bonus Scheme on Monday.

From 10 July, the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme feed-in tariff will decrease from 44 cents per kWh to 8 cents per kWh of electricity fed back into the grid.

Kane Thornton, acting Chief Executive of the CEC, said, “It is appropriate that the Queensland Government reduces the level of its support scheme, given the great success of solar and the reduction in the cost of solar power systems in recent times.

“However, this kind of sudden drop could have a serious negative impact on an industry that has been delivering major economic benefits to the state.”

Thornton also said he has concerns about the Queensland Government’s commitment to clean energy for the state, given it also closed the rebate scheme for solar hot water last Friday.

Customers wishing to secure the 44-cent feed-in tariff should lodge an application with their electricity distributor by midnight on 9 July. According to the Queensland Government’s Office of Clean Energy website, existing customers will continue to receive the 44-cent rate as long as they maintain their eligibility for the scheme.