Australian Greens Senator Christine Milne welcomed the Western Australian Government's announcement today of a 'gross' renewable energy feed-in law for residential solar roof-top systems as a great first step.

Whilst this will encourage roof-top solar systems, there is still no incentive for large-scale solar thermal systems or for farmers or supermarkets to take up more than 10 kilowatt systems.

Senator Milne said "The community wants governments to help ordinary people to become part of the renewable energy revolution and the solution to climate change and in that context this is a good initiative."

"However, the urgency of climate change and the scale of the response needed makes government support for utility-scale production essential."

"A gross feed-in tariff can make every roof-top a money-spinner for householders - and that's part of the Greens' vision for a zero-emission future."

The Greens are calling on the Carpenter Government to recognise the huge potential for WA to be a national flagship for large-scale renewable energy and to expand on their good initiative.

Feed-in laws have been responsible for the massive growth in renewable energy in Europe, and WA will be the fourth state in Australia to introduce it.

Senator Milne said "The 'gross metering' approach proposed for WA would be considerably better than the miserly 'net metering' approach adopted by Victorian and South Australian governments, and a rate of 60c/kWhr would make it the best scheme in Australia."

The Greens in the Senate are driving the push for a national feed-in tariff through Senator Milne's private member's bill. A total of 116 submissions to the Senate inquiry have been received to date and the Greens would welcome Premier Carpenter's support for their initiative.

Contact: Gemma Clark on 0427 604 760