The Rudd government's plan to means test the solar panel rebate is a huge blow to Australian families' ability to combat climate change, says the Alternative Technology Association, Australia's leading independent body for clean technology in the home.
The Solar Homes and Communities Plan (formerly PVRP), provides homeowners with up to $8000 for rooftop solar panel installations, and has been highly successful at encouraging the uptake of this important technology, says ATA's Energy Policy Manager, Brad Shone.
"42% of all the solar installed since the introduction of the rebate program in 2000, has occurred since the rebate was increase from $4000 to $8000 a year ago."
Mr Shone says rather than welcoming the boom in solar panel installations and increasing funding for the rebate, the Rudd Government has tried to dampen enthusiasm by applying a means test.
Under the proposed means test, access to the rebate will be restricted to households with an annual taxable income of less than $100,000.
Mr Shone says the Government has also borrowed from future years of the program to pay for the present.
"The Rudd government plans to bring forward $25.6 million in funding, under the Solar Homes and Communities Plan 2008-09, with no commitment to replace the borrowed funds in future years".
Mr Shone says the Government's failure to commit additional funds, or replace borrowed funds could spell the end for the solar rebate.
"The introduction of a means test and using up future budgets will dramatically reduce the affordability of solar power. Undoubtedly we will see a dramatic decrease in the uptake of household solar systems".
"It is puzzling why a government, elected on a platform of climate change action, would limit such a successful program," Mr Shone says.
