The truth about electricity prices

The media is awash with stories about electricity prices and how it is that solar panels such as ours are contributing to it.
There is a projected cost of $42 billion in investment of network infrastructure such as poles and wires which accounts for approximately 80%-90% of the increased prices that are being experienced in NSW (62% for QLD).  This investment is required due to growing population and increased demand for power.
A national renewable energy target of 20% will account for an approximate 4% increase of bills (equivalent to about $0.8 per week). Putting a price on pollution also will contribute to some increases. However, the infrastructure costs are the major causes of price increases.
Investment in renewable energy is one of the solutions for a cleaner future. The cost of the feed in tariff is reflected in just a few percent of the 10% which is the retail component of our electricity increases. Production of PV electricity is expected to reach the same price as retail electricity in the next 5-10 years which is why governments around the world are investing in schemes similar to ours. As PV system prices continue to decrease, they will become even more affordable for people on low incomes to purchase.
 Australians have one of the world's highest standards of living and our carbon outputs reflect this, so the incentive we have to reduce our power bills will require some adaptation on our part.

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Electricity Prices - the facts