BP Solar has remained Australia’s only commercial manufacturer of solar panels for more than two decades. The company has remained in the Australian market during challenging times because of a belief that Australia has the know-how – and of course, the sunshine – to become a solar-powered nation.

Over the years, with other industry stakeholders, BP Solar has campaigned for support for the Australian solar industry and contributed to industry achievements such as the extension and expansion of foundation building rebate schemes, including the Photovoltaic Rebate Program, as well as the creation of the Solar Cities initiative. Recently, the company installed the largest rooftop commercial solar system in NSW on the roof of a Cadbury Schweppes manufacturing facility in Blacktown as part of Blacktown Solar City program.

Programs such as Solar Cities are indeed important for testing out models for delivering solar and for informing government policy. However, when it comes to creating policy and incentives to create a solar powered nation, this should be the start of the conversation – talk must not stop there.

The feed-in tariff model has proven to be an effective way of creating broad-scale take-up of solar energy by residents and businesses in Germany and more than 40 other countries and regions. In Australia, this policy could create major market growth by rewarding Australian families and businesses for their investment in valuable solar generation.

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The South Australian, Victorian, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland State Governments are to be commended for considering feed-in tariffs for solar and putting the policy on the table. However, to deliver material market growth a consistent, nationwide model is needed which rewards customers from all sectors for their solar generation, not just that which they export.

The Federal Labor Party has recognised the need and heeded the call for feed-in tariff uniformity, having committed in the lead-up to the recent federal election to working through COAG to advance the policy discussion in its Renewable Energy Policy. The Government also understands that the opportunity exists now to harness Australia’s natural advantage in solar resource to create a solar powered nation.

Never has there been a better time to push for such a measure. The Australian community is concerned about energy reliability and climate change and is looking for guidance and support from the new federal government. Political alignment across all levels of government is essential and the need to secure peak energy supply and reduce emissions across Australia is increasing by the day.

A national feed-in tariff will not just mitigate the need for costly infrastructure upgrades and the need for coal and gas fired power generators to meet peak demand, it will also deliver significant emission reductions. A feed-in tariff has the potential to create a significant number of new skilled jobs, and make it possible for everyday Australian families, businesses and corporate Australia to become their own ‘power CEOs’. It will give them the opportunity to decide where and how their energy will be generated.

The time for talk regarding a clean energy future is now – and the time for action is now. With the right policy setting, Australia can become a solar powered nation.