The Climate Change Authority has recommended the federal government modify its renewable energy target to prevent a costly boom in solar panel installations leading to higher electricity prices for consumers.
The independent agency has also called for the overall target for large-scale renewable energy generators such as wind farm operators to be left unchanged at 20 per cent of total power generated by 2020, a recommendation applauded by the clean-energy sector.
Under the current settings, the renewable energy target is projected to cost households between $12 and $64 extra a year. The agency suggested a change to the definition of what counts as “large-scale” to prevent the costs rising.
Electricity prices have become one of the hottest political issues as a mix of factors – ranging from excessive investment in poles and wires, and the carbon tax – have sent power household power bills soaring by as much as 50 per cent in the past three years, with more increases to come.
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