Government Solar Industry Schemes: State by State
Federal Government
The current Labour Government has cancelled many of the Liberals’ rebates, making it more difficult for environmentally aware Australians to fund solar energy for their homes.
SOLAR CREDITS SCHEME
assist with the upfront costs of installing small-scale renewable energy systems, including household solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Solar Credits, which is part of the expanded national Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme, will provide extra Renewable Energy Certificates, which are also called RECs, to households and businesses that install eligible small scale solar PV, wind and hydro electricity systems.
Under the Solar Credits scheme, one STC has been multiplied by 5, therefore offering five times the dollar value. The 5 x multiplier was originally to be in place from the start of the program to the end of the financial year in 2012, however the Government announced that this is to be brought forward to the end of the current financial year. On May 5 2011, the Climate Change Minister announced that the 5 x multiplier will be reduced to a 3 x multiplier for all installations from July 1, 2011, decreasing the number of certificates that your system creates, thus decreasing the discount you receive on your solar power system.
- NSW
- QLD
- SA
- VIC
- WA
- NT
- TAS
- ACT
NEW SOUTH WALES
SOLAR BONUS SCHEME
NSW has effectively scrapped the Solar Bonus Scheme, as of 27th October 2010. The Clean Energy Council are supposedly working hard with the Greens and the Opposition to find a workable, equitable and fair Feed In Tariff to ensure the sustainability of the Solar Industry in NSW.
The feed in tariff for NSW customers has been put on hold due to the NSW Government’s disgraceful decision to introduce retrospective legislation regarding the Solar Bonus Scheme to reduce the gross feed-in-tariff from 60c/kWh to 40c/kWh. If this legislation is passed those who were previously receiving 60c/kWh a kilowatt hour for their solar electricity, would only be paid 40c/kWh from July 1st this year. This is a terrible breach of public trust and rule of law about to be committed by the NSW Government. Tens of thousands of people in NSW made an investment in solar power based on the 60c/kWh gross feed-in-tariff that was promoted and legislated by the NSW Government. Regardless of the generosity of the 60c/kWh tariff this was the commitment made by the NSW Government and it should be honoured. Many people borrowed money, invested their savings and/or superannuation based on this promised return and the NSW Government currently wants to reduce that return by a third. This change penalises tens of thousands of people, doing their bit for a clean energy future.
All companies involved in the Solar Industry should be actively campaigning for a National Feed-In Tariff and Australia-wide regulations and commitment to ensure that the Industry is equitable right across Australia.
QUEENSLAND
SOLAR BONUS SCHEME
The Queensland Government Solar Bonus Scheme (the Scheme) pays households and other small customers for the surplus electricity generated from roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) panel systems, which is exported to the Queensland electricity grid. The Scheme is designed to make solar power more affordable for Queenslanders, stimulate the solar power industry and encourage energy efficiency.
Customers participating in the Scheme will be paid 44 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) for surplus electricity fed into the grid—more than double the current general domestic use tariff of 18.84c/kWh (inc GST as at 1 July 2009).
Last week, The Queensland Government announced changes to the Scheme. A payment of 44 cents per kW sent back to the grid will remain in place, but the size of systems eligible will reduce from 10kW per phase to 5kW per residence. The changes will take effect on the 7 June 2011. Queenslanders wanting to secure systems larger than 5 kW's have until this date to get their grid application forms into Energex to be elligible for the premium feed in tariff.
For more information, visit:
http://www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/solar_bonus_scheme.cfm
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
SOLAR FEED IN SCHEME
The Electricity (Feed-In Scheme-Solar Systems) Amendment Act 2008 is the first solar feed-in law in Australia that will pay a premium guaranteed tariff of $0.44 per unit of electricity (kilowatt-hour, kWh), to households and small customers who feed solar electricity into the grid.
The law came into effect on 1 July 2008, and will extend for 20 years.
In May 2009, South Australia reached 10 MW capacity, which triggered a review of the feed-in scheme. The Terms of Reference and the formal announcement of the review were released on 31 October 2009 and submissions for the review closed on 23 November 2009.
Independent consultant, Mr Paul Miley of Consulting Partners, was engaged to conduct the review and has delivered a final report to Government. The Government's response to the final report will be considered by Cabinet and further updates will be posted on this site as they become available.
For more information, visit:
http://www.climatechange.sa.gov.au/index.php?page=feed-in-scheme
VICTORIA
FEED IN TARIFFS
Victoria has two programs that allow consumers to be credited for renewable electricity they feed into the state’s grid – a premium feed-in tariff for solar and standard feed-in tariff for other small-scale renewable energy systems.
Feed-in tariffs reward people who are producing their own renewable energy by allowing them to receive a standard rate or more for any power they feed into the grid.
Premium Feed-in Tariff
Victoria’s premium feed-in tariff offers Victorians with small-scale solar PV systems of up to five kilowatts in size a guaranteed minimum credit of at least 60 cents per kilowatt hour for excess electricity fed back into the grid at any time of the day or year.
The premium solar feed-in tariff started on 1 November 2009 and is available to customers signed up under the scheme for the next 15 years. The scheme will be capped at a total capacity of 100 megawatts of solar power across the state, which means once this limit is reached new customers will not be able to sign up.
For more information, visit:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
FEED IN TARIFFS
A residential net feed-in tariff scheme will commence in Western Australia from 1 August 2010. The tariff will be paid per unit of net electricity exported to the electricity grid from eligible systems.
Scheme Design Parameters
- Rate - 40 c/kWh for net electricity exported to the grid. This rate is in addition to buyback schemes offered through Synergy and Horizon Power;
- Recipients will receive payments for 10 years;
- System size must be consistent with Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme and will be limited to 5kW for Synergy customers and 10kW per phase (30kW in total) for Horizon Power customers; and
The scheme will be reviewed every 3 years or 10MW of new generation to assess the ongoing level of support required in light of changing economics and technologies.
Eligibility
- Includes photovoltaic, wind and micro-hydro energy technologies. Emerging technologies may be included upon review;
- Scheme is open to residential applicants only;
- Includes all current and future eligible systems;
- The system must be owned by the home owner (including tenanted properties); and
- Applicant must also be eligible for and participate in the Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme.
For more information, visit:
THE NORTHERN TERRITORY
FEED IN TARIFFS
Currently Power and Water is offering 18.31 cents per kWh for residential customers. A customised rate will be negotiated for PV solar systems greater than 10 kVA.
For more information, visit:
http://www.powerwater.com.au/environment/renewable_energy/solar_buyback_program
TASMANIA
FEED IN TARIFFS
Under proposal and review in Tasmania for legislation, however Aurora Power voluntarily offer a net feed-in tariff at the same rate as they currently bill.
For more information:
http://www.dier.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/33851/feed_in_tariff_draft_discussion_paper.pdf
http://www.dier.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/48855/A_Feed-in_Tariff_for_Tasmania_-_In_Response_to_Public_Consultation_PDF.PDF
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
FEED IN TARIFFS
Stage 1 of the Scheme aimed at householders and small business commenced on 1 March 2009. The Scheme is available to all ACT electricity customers (except non-educational Government agencies) with generation facilities of no greater capacity than 30kW. All schools and educational institutions, both public and private, are eligible to access the Scheme.
Systems connected between 1 March 2009 and 30 June 2010 will receive a Premium Price of 50.05 cents per kWh generated, for systems up to 10kW, and 40.04 cents per kWh for systems between 10kW and 30kW. From 1 July 2010 until 30 June 2011, the Premium Price will be 45.7c per kWh for all systems up to 30kW.