Solar Feed in Tariffs

Following the success of Feed In Tariffs in countries such as Germany and Spain, Australian States and Territories have adopted such schemes to encourage the uptake of solar energy. The financial benefit to the consumer is that they receive a premium rate for electricity that is fed back into the grid by their solar system. In some cases this can be up to 3-4 times higher than the retail rate paid by the consumer for their electricity.
Across Australia the various Feed In Tariff program’s follow either a Net or Gross model. A Net model pays for ‘excess’ electricity that you feed back into the grid. A Gross Feed In Tariff model pays for all electricity that is fed back into the grid.  
 

Due to the unexpected rate of subscription in the first 10 months of the Solar Bonus Scheme, NSW Government has announced a major revamp that will:

 

* Immediately close the current program as of midnight 27 Oct 2010, and

* Introduce a new and more sustainable program with a third of the current tariff rate, or 20 cents/kWh.

 

View full release here

 

State
Model
Max size of system
Rate paid
Length of program
Start date
 
NSW
Gross
10 kW
20c
7 years
27 Oct
2010
 
SA
Net
Under review for systems above 10kW
 
 
44c plus addition credit from electricity provider
20 years
1 Jul 2008
WA
Net
5kW for Synergy customers and 10kW per phase (30kW in total) for Horizon Power customers
40c
Subject to annual reviews
1 Aug 2010
VIC
Net
5 kW
60c
15 years
1 Nov 2009
 
ACT
Gross
Up to 10 kW
10 – 30 kW
50.05c (to 30 Jun 2010)
40.04c (to 30 Jun 2010)
From 1 Jul 2010 - 30 Jun 2011
Rate will be 45.7c up to 30kW
20 years
1 Mar 2009
QLD
Net
Up to 10 kVA ( single phase power)
Up to 30 kVA (three-phase power)
44c
20 years
Jul 2008

 

The above information is a general guide only, more detailed information can be found by accessing the relevant State and Territory Government websites.