Media

Tim Buckley, founder and director of Climate Energy Finance, says progressive cuts to feed-in-tariffs are “the logical end-point” for Australia’s rooftop solar success story. “Expecting to be paid for electricity exports when they are worse [than] worthless is ill-informed. Why should a renter or apartment dweller subsidised the richer home owners?” he writes in a LinkedIn post on the subject this week. But Buckley says moving to a “Sun Tax” is exactly that – “demanding the poor subsidise the better off.” There are better ways to ensure the grid is not flooded with excess solar during the middle of the day. Read more

Tim Buckley, director of think tank Climate Energy Finance (CEF), who spoke exclusively with ESN Premium ahead of the launch of the scheme, believes it will likely make Australia a “red-hot market” for new energy storage systems and help build out local supply chains. Read more

This damaging policy reversal undermines what was formerly Queensland’s national leadership in building out large-scale renewable energy and storage, and its record uptake of rooftop solar, just as the climate emergency escalates and in the context of a national cost of living crisis driven by skyrocketing fossil fuel energy bills. Read more

The benefits of the new battery program extend beyond those with existing solar. Reducing energy demand in the peak evening period brings down wholesale electricity prices and network costs, meaning reduced power prices for all. Read more

Highlights Federal election has been called this morning – for 3rd May 2025 Budget – not much climate or energy information in the budget, perhaps there’s more to be announced during the election. BYD’s amazing stats. Matt Pollard’s oped in RenewEconomy. 120,000 R&D staff!!! EV momentum Tim shares overall EV market stats, perhaps a lowlight for Tesla. Caroline’s Wang work on electricity generation stats. Highlighting the first two months of 2025 performance. Harry Martin’s International Solar PV and Bess Manufacturing Trends. See Climate Energy Finance report. Read more

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) quarterly gas report highlights electrification of gas use is contributing to a downward trend in forecast gas consumption for commercial, residential and industrial users. Since the 2024 Gas Statement of Opportunity (GSOO), AEMO notes domestic gas consumption has continued to decline. The reduction in gas consumption has coincided with noticeably higher retail gas prices compared to recent years and slower growth of new building approvals. Read more