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[cws]

Unfotunately no revelations but thought i'd get it out there

The O'Farrell Government's relentless hostility to renewable energy has claimed yet another victim as Solar Shop Australia Pty Ltd, Australia's largest provider of solar panels, went into receivership.

"The solar industry is collapsing under Barry O'Farrell's watch," said Shadow Minister for Energy Luke Foley.

"During the NSW election campaign Barry O'Farrell promised to support renewable energy, but he declared war on the sector as soon as he formed government.

"Other states have reduced their solar energy support schemes in recent months, but NSW is now the only state on the eastern seaboard with no tariff to solar customers.

"By far the biggest blow to Solar Shop's business, the final straw that broke it, was the removal of all support for solar energy in NSW. The company saw their orders collapse in recent months.

"If this can happen to a company the size of Solar Shop, with 200 employees, it can happen to anybody involved in renewable energy.

"There is currently no feed-in tariff for solar customers in NSW. The review announced by the NSW Government will not report back until April next year.

"Recently Silex Solar decided to end local manufacturing of solar cells, with the loss of 30 jobs at its Western Sydney plant.

"And now Australia's largest seller of solar panels has gone into receivership.

"Solar in NSW has been stopped dead in its tracks, with chilling investment signals being sent by the O'Farrell Government. At this rate there is no chance the NSW Government will meet its own 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target.

"Barry O'Farrell needs to stop attacking renewable energy. We have boundless sunshine. We should be harnessing the sun's rays and the wind to develop a clean energy future for this State," Mr Foley said.