"The government's decision to adopt a net metering scheme does not guarantee a return on the investment, resulting in fewer households able to afford solar panels," says Brad Shone, Alternative Technology Association's Energy Policy Manager.

Mr Shone says the government's claim that the scheme will result in a ten year payback for solar systems is difficult to believe. ATA's figures show that payback times will be over 25 years, under this proposal.

"It's very disappointing and won't lead to the desired uptake of solar power.

Mr Shone says of the nearly 50 feed-in tariff schemes around the world, all are based on a gross metering system that pay solar panel owners for the all electricity produced by their system.

"As a result, Germany now has around 400 times the amount of grid-connected solar power than Australia does."

Mr Shone says the Victorian Government does not seem to be serious about providing homeowners with incentives for alternatives to coal.

"Without a decent financial incentive driving large-scale uptake of household solar systems, Victoria will need to build another coal-fired power station to keep up with energy demand.

"Victorian's have been robbed of the opportunity to play their part in reducing the state's greenhouse gas emissions," says Mr Shone.

Mr Shone says net metering also disadvantages certain sectors of the community, such as stay-athome parents and the elderly, because they are more likely to use power at times of peak solar generation and therefore export less.

"Solar panel owners must be rewarded for the fact that they are reducing the demand on our already stressed grid system.

Mr Shone says Victoria has missed out on reaping the rewards from growth industries, such as solar photovoltaics.

"Victoria has missed a good opportunity. It is now up to the federal government to introduce a uniform solar feed-in tariff that will guarantee Australia's place in the sun as a world leader in clean energy technology," Mr Shone says.

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