The Japanese government is poised to increase the incentives available to a wide range of clean energy technologies through a revamp of the country’s feed-in tariff scheme, which should come into effect from next year.

According to Reuters’ reports, a government advisory panel today approved a set of proposals that will significantly extend the current solar incentives regime to cover other forms of energy, including wind, small-size hydro, biomass and geothermal energy.Under the proposals, the current feed-in tariff rate of 48 yen per kilowatt hour (kwh) that energy firms have to pay for surplus solar electricity generated by households will be cut this year to house owners 42 yen per kwh, in line with falling solar panel prices.

However, the incentives available to small businesses that install solar panels will rise from 24 yen to 40 yen per kwh.

Meanwhile, from fiscal 2012 the tariffs will be made available to other forms of renewable energy at a rate of between 15 yen and 20 yen per kwh.

The proposals will now be considered by the government with a view to gaining parliamentary approval later this year.

In contrast, fears are mounting in Australia that the country’s efforts to develop a new climate change policy have again stalled after the country’s chief scientist, Penny Sackett, resigned halfway through her five-year appointment amidst reports of disagreements with the government over its failure to act quickly enough to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.

The news came on the same day as climate minister Greg Combet quashed reports that the country’s multi-party climate committee was set to unveil plans for a fixed price on carbon, insisting the group had not yet reached agreement on the controversial plans.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard last year tasked the new committee with recommending how best to put a price on carbon emissions as part of a deal with the Green Party that allowed her to form a coalition government in the wake of the country’s inconclusive election.