By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
PROPERTY owners with solar PV installed panels on their roof are getting ripped off by the State Government, according to MP for Gembrook Brad Battin.
On 25 August, the Essential Services Commission announced solar feed-in tariffs would be cut from 6.2 cents per kilowatt hour to 5 cents. The change is set to take effect from January 2016.
Though Daniel Andrews last week launched another inquiry into the feed-in tariff rate, Mr Battin says owners of solar systems would be hit hard by the 20 per cent cut in credit.
“Daniel Andrews’ lies and hot air towards renewables is costing solar users in Gembrook,” he said.
“There are thousands of home owners with solar panels on their rooves in the Gembrook electorate who were told they would get a fair deal.
“Daniel Andrews owes them an explanation on Labor’s backflip.”
Shadow Minister for Renewables David Southwick added that the government was stalling on the issue.
“The solar industry has taken a hit with a 20 per cent cut to the solar feed-in tariff under Labor, only days after Daniel Andrews promised a better deal for solar customers,” he said.
“Daniel Andrews is too weak to make a decision, instead calling for yet another review while Victorian consumers are paying the price.”
There are 5,814 solar systems installed in the suburbs of Pakenham, Berwick, Officer, Beaconsfield, Gembrook and Emerald.
