What the federal election promises mean for solar energy

The federal election is approaching and with it has come the promises of bigger and better renewable energy policies from the leading parties.

Coalition

Although stating that the government is on track to meet its Paris commitment of reducing carbon emissions by 26-27% by 2030, Scott Morrison and the Coalition have allocated $2 billion for projects to reduce carbon emissions. The policy includes:

• The construction of Snowy 2.0
• The development of a National Electric Vehicle Strategy
• Helping households to improve their energy efficiency
• Backing a second interconnector in Tasmania

Labor

Unlike the Coalition, Labor have pledged a considerable proportion of the budget to renewable energy. Their policies include:

• $200 million towards a federal solar battery rebate offering eligible households (earning less than $180,000) up to $2,000 to purchase and install battery systems. With the target of one million household battery systems installed by 2025.
• $100 million fund to support low income earners install solar.
• $1 billion investment into the Solar School’s Program, helping schools reduce bills.
• $10 billion towards the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

Labor have also stated that their goal is to have electric vehicles make up half of all new cars sold by 2030 by offering incentives to business to invest in the new technology.

The Greens

The Greens have called for 90% of energy by 2030 to come from renewable sources making their climate change policy the most ambitious. They have also called for all new vehicles sold by 2030 to be electric.