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. However, this government is investing in large-scale ‘Solar Cities’ campaigns.
Current Schemes include:
SOLAR CREDITS SCHEME
Solar Credits 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 arrangements, eligible systems installed before mid-2012 will get five RECs for every REC the system would otherwise receive.
Solar Credits apply to the first 1.5 kilowatts (kW) of capacity installed; generation from capacity above 1.5 kW will still be eligible for the standard 1:1 rate of RECs creation.
For more information, visit:
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/government/initiatives/renewable-target.aspx
Solar Credits for Off Grid Installations
With recent changes to the Renewable Energy Regulations there are now provisions to increase the kilowatt (kW) capacity limit for which the Solar Credits multiplier applies in relation to off-grid small generation unit installations up to the first 20 kW of a system capacity subject to an annual cap in the total number of certificates.
Under the new amendments small generation units are eligible for Solar Credit RECs up to the first 20 kW of system capacity if:
- The system is an off-grid small generation unit (as defined below); and
- Was installed after 28 June 2010 and before 1 July 2015; and
- Must be eligible for solar credits.
- RECs are created before the annual financial year cap is met for installations which occur in that financial year.
Where these requirements are met the effect of the regulations is that the current solar credits multiplier (e.g. 5 for small generation units installed before 30 June 2012) applies to the first 20kW of system capacity rather than only the first 1.5kW. When the annual cap is reached for each year the standard 1.5kW system capacity for Solar Credits will apply.
For more information, visit:
http://www.orer.gov.au/agents/index.html#offgrid
NEW SOUTH WALES
SOLAR BONUS SCHEME
The NSW Government's Solar Bonus Scheme provides support to people who produce renewable energy through eligible roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and wind turbines connected to the grid.
New South Wales customers benefit from the most generous tariff rate in Australia (60 cents per kilowatt hour)
For more information, visit:
http://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/energy/sustainable/renewable/solar/solar-scheme
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).
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:
http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/energy/energy-policy/greenhouse-challenge/feed-in-tariffs
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:
http://www.clean.energy.wa.gov.au/pages/re_feed-in_tariff.asp
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:
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.
For more information:
http://www.environment.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/187904/FiTFactSheet.pdf