The cost of cutting carbon under the government’s Solar Schools program has emerged at $284 a tonne - 12 times the $23 carbon price - and could turn out to be higher still, the national auditor has found.
The figures came as the federal government announced the first round of grants in its $1 billion Clean Technology Investment Program.
Also yesterday a survey released by the Clean Energy Council, and conducted by the research firm QDOS, found widespread support for wind farms. More than three-quarters of the 1200 people surveyed support the development of wind farms, and two-thirds say farmers’ right to earn money from hosting the turbines outweighs their neighbours’ right to an uncluttered view.
The Australian National Audit Office approved the $480 million Solar Schools program, but concluded it was an expensive way to reduce greenhouse emissions. The cost per tonne of carbon saved was ”considerable” at about $284 a tonne.
Also, due to some problems with installation, this figure could rise because the Climate Change Department has likely overestimated the greenhouse reduction the solar scheme has achieved, the auditor concluded.
Rooftop solar is generally a more expensive way to reduce greenhouse emissions than a price per tonne on carbon charged to heavy emitters. The carbon tax will start at $23 a tonne on July 1 and shift to a floating price in 2015.
The Clean Energy Council said the independent survey it released yesterday - the most comprehensive on wind farms in five years - showed people were firmly behind them .
”The majority of people surveyed agreed that wind farms bring income to farmers and local businesses, and that governments shouldn’t get in the way of this,” the council’s policy director, Russell Marsh, said.
