Assuming that someone has to sell their RECs (and Phantom RECs) in order to afford a PV system after July 1, should we advise for or against it from an environmental point of view? Is it worth getting as many solar systems on roofs as possible, even with the generation of phantom RECs or is it better to suggest they just buy 100% Green Power (which possibly just means someone else's phantom RECs if I understand correctly) and skip the PV system? I have a couple of friends that couldn't access the grant because of the income limit (not a problem I had) and they have asked me for advice on the new scheme. Anyone got an educated opinion on the overall affect?
Are PVsystems still Green after July?
(4 posts) (3 voices)-
GJOESQ
MemberI am disgusted that the Federal Government has decided to fund dirty power generation in this way, by bribing people of goodwill with a rebate that in fact gives dirty power generators the green light (pun intended)!
Your question is one which my wife and I pondered over the last week when I first became clearer as to the nature of RECs and was altered to the 'phantom' RECS after I joined the ATA. This all happened as a result of becoming aware of Nu Energy's offer of a "free" 1 kW Pv system. They are funding their 'freeness' by requiring their customers to hand over to them the RECs generated by the system so that they can recoup the GST on the $8,000 price they quote. I will be buying the RECs back from Nu Energy which Frank, in their Melbourne office, said I could do. However, that will be after I signed the agreement to hand them over, which I have done. Hopefully, Nu Energy will come to the party when it counts on this matter.
Your point about getting the solar energy systems on rooftops is a good one. I'd go with that and suggest that your friends buy as many RECs as they can afford to take them out of the system. I see this 'phantom' RECs scheme as a sort of 'change over' scheme during which the energy suppliers will be readjusting themselves for a greener future. Well at least I hope they will!!
I would also recommend that they buy 100% green energy as well just in case, even though much of that 'green' energy is merely offset buy the purchase of RECs. However, that better than nothing.
Posted Monday 27 Apr 2009 @ 4:04:15 am from IP #
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