It is just 12 months since the last comprehensive review into the Renewable Energy Target (RET) legislation was completed, but any day now the new Federal government will release its terms of reference for another RET review.

Why is the RET Important to the Solar Industry?

As feed-in-tariffs are wound back, the RET is now the bedrock program that provides support to the solar industry in Australia.

Should solar PV be worried?

Yes. The future of the small-scale scheme for solar PV is in considerable doubt.

We are told the RET review will have three major components:

• Review targets and timeframes
• Reduce the cost of electricity
• Reduce costs for the liable entities

It is clear from this that solar PV, a major component of the RET is in the firing line.

There is already a strong push to reduce the target, and push existing commitments from 2020 out to 2030 and beyond.

Last year several powerful and vocal opponents of the solar industry called for radical change to limit the uptake of solar PV.

Those voices (Australian Industry Group, Origin and others) will be louder, stronger and joined by new voices that are likely to carry more sway in the review process.

Australian Solar Council’s response

The real driver increasing power bills is the massive investments that have been made in power poles and wires.

Changes to the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) will have a negligible impact on power prices.

Don’t unfairly target our industry.

In Australia solar PV employs more than 18,000 people, across 4,500 small and medium businesses. Many of these are working and employing people in rural and regional Australia.

Changes to the RET put these businesses and jobs at risk.