A clean energy peak body has endorsed the recommendations of the parliament inquiry into the need of a national feed-in tariff system for the solar industry.

The ‘Save our Solar’ senate inquiry recommended to maintain funding for the Solar Homes and Communities Plan while transitioning to a national gross feed-in tariff policy, which has already been put in place worldwide.

“Despite frequent changes to the rebate scheme over recent years, the solar industry has survived and, with the right policy, will grow substantially,” said Andrea Gaffney, Clean Energy Council solar industry spokesperson.

“Gross feed-in tariffs will provide stability for the industry to invest in Australia’s clean energy future.”

Ms Gaffney said current state-based feed-in tariff policies lacked consistency and had caused unnecessary complexities for business and consumers.

“We look forward to a nationally consistent feed-in tariff approach, as promised by the Rudd Government during the election and due for discussion at the next COAG meeting,” she said.

The Clean Energy Council argued artificially low caps on the size of solar power systems were not viable, and the Australian Government should encourage investment in larger domestic and commercial systems to provide industry security.

The industry peak body said it would outline the solar industry’s position in a submission for the senate inquiry. 

The council’s photovoltaic directorate includes major manufacturing, distribution, retail and installation businesses from across Australia.

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