Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Education and Training) Share this | Hansard source

In fact, there is a natural phase down that operates within the Renewable Energy Target Scheme legislation, and, in particular, in relation to the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. That scheme has an end date of 2030. The phase down means that each year the number of certificates provided to a solar panel installation declines by one year's worth of certificates as 2030 approaches. To spell that out a little, that means that in 2016 an eligible solar panel installation would receive 15 years worth of certificates, but last year that fell to 14 years worth of certificates, and this year it would be only 13 years worth of certificates and so forth. There is in fact a phase down that adjusts the way in which the solar industry is supported under that scheme. Of course, that would work commensurate with that phase down occurring and the government pursuing a National Energy Guarantee that doesn't play favourites but does guarantee reliability and affordability.