The Climate Change Authority (CCA) has released its final report on the review of the Renewable Energy Target. It has recommended leaving the overall RET and framework unchanged but has recommended a number of changes that will dampen future support for solar technologies.

The CCA has moved away from its previous suggestion to discount the number of certificates from solar and instead has recommended that a lower cap for commercial systems be introduced and deeming phased out. Both of these requirements are aimed at capping the number of small-scale technology certificates (STCs) that can be created, to reduce the cost impact on electricity consumers.

The CCA has recommended that solar PV systems in excess of 10kW will no longer be eligible for STCs and instead will be eligible to produce large-scale generation certificates (LGCs) on the basis of five years deeming at a time. Currently these systems are eligible to produce 15 years’ worth of STCs. This will reduce the attractiveness of solar PV in commercial applications.

Read the full story by Ric Brazzale at Reneweconomy.