Dubbo jobs could be lost if the federal government implements recommendations by the Renewable Energy Target (RET) review to dramatically cutback solar energy subsidies.
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The 2014 RET review advised that the government's goal to have 20 per cent of energy renewable by 2020 be either dramatically reduced or closed immediately.
The review is also encouraging the Coalition to prohibit new companies from initiating large energy projects or to scale back on those already in progress.
Twenty-eight per cent of homes in Dubbo have solar PV systems installed, according to Clean Energy Council.
The city has the highest number of solar powered homes in Australia with over 2,100 solar PV systems installed under the 2830 postcode.
Under the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme, residents who purchased or leased a generator before October 27 2010 and consume less than 160 kilowatt hours of electricity per annum are eligible to receive 60 cents back for every kilowatt of energy generated.
However, if the Coalition implements the cut backs, the subsidies could be reduced or removed completely.
Suellyn Rees, who works in Finance and Marketing at Orana Energy Systems, said both options could cause a number of Dubbo Solar companies to go broke.
"There are a lot of jobs that would be lost among the solar industry," Ms Rees said.
"Everyone would be adversely impacted," She said it doesn't make sense for the government not to support the industry.
"The low-to-mid income earners who purchase solar are not going to be able to afford it. Prices for solar panels will probably rise and demand will decrease.
"It will price those who need it out of the market.
"It's not a positive thing for this government or the country."
The review said wholesale had lowered under the government's scheme, but the $22 billion paid in subsidies was not justifiable in the long-term.
Dubbo City Mayor Mathew Dickerson said he is very disappointed by the review's recommendations.
"If the subsidies were cut tomorrow, costs would rise and demand for paid work would reduce dramatically," Cr Dickerson said.
"We would prefer subsidies were left in place or subsidies were even increased.
"The disappointing part when you look at the big picture is that it seems a very short-term view... We can't keep digging coal forever."
The government is expected to respond to the review within the next month.
