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Dark Days for Australia’s Solar PV Industry

Following the defeat of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Legislation in the Federal Senate today, Conergy, a leader in the renewable energy industry has again appealed for our political leaders to find a way for the promised Renewable Energy Target (RET) to be decoupled and passed.

“What do we, as an industry, have to do for these politicians to stop playing politics with our futures?” Rodger Meads, Conergy’s Managing Director said.

“We say again to Mr Rudd and Mr Turnbull - sit down and figure out how you can pass the RET Bill, it is a measure that you have both publicly reaffirmed your support for in recent days.

“We simply can’t wait for a repeat of the ETS debate in November as forecast.Many of the businesses in the suburbs and regions of Australia who we supply solar and wind products to have told us that the game will be up by then,” Mr Meads said.

“Is this what the Prime Minister wants - people out of work and a fledgling industry again facing uncertain and bleak times?Rudd has the power to sort this mess out, and we are calling on him to do this – now.

“The average Australian should be outraged that, at such a critical time, our political leaders are using renewable energy as the nails to crucify each other politically.

“Today we are demanding two things.Firstly, that the Government return a decoupled version of the RET Bill to Parliament for a vote next week.

“Secondly, that the Opposition unequivocally state that they will not have a change of heart and that they will pass it, immediately,” he said.

“The Government, despite claims this week, can do this- as can the Opposition.

“Jobs, jobs, jobs, they tell us is their main aim - well here are thousands of Australian jobs reliant on the promised support and certainty that the RET will deliver.

“The value of Renewable Energy Certificates (REC’s) is falling through the floor on the back of all of this uncertainty. Many thousand local jobs and apprenticeships will shortly follow, “Mr Meads said.

About Conergy
Since its founding in 1998, Hamburg-based Conergy AG has sold more than a gigawatt in renewable energy, making it one of the biggest suppliers of solar energy and other renewable energies, and a world leader in solar system integration. Of the one gigawatt in renewable energies, Conergy has installed more than 400 megawatts in its major projects, Of the total one gigawatt, 200 megawatts falls to its wind energy park projects and 800 to its globally marketed solar modules. Calculative one in ten modules worldwide was produced, sold or installed by Conergy. Listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange since 2005, the group pursues a global growth strategy, The company now produces, installs and designs solar power systems and wind turbines in around 15 countries. The Conergy Group is represented with its own branches on four continents.

Conergy Australia is a key player in the Australian renewable energy market, manufacturing and supplying high efficiency solar hot water, solar power and small wind power solutions. With an Australia-wide distribution network, state sales offices and warehousing in 4 key locations around the continent as well as in-house dedicated renewable energy engineers and sales teams, the company has become an important part of the Australian industry since it began operations here in 2005.

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