SOLAR BONUS SCHEME - 21st September 2011

What is the solar bonus scheme? The Queensland Government introduced the scheme in July 2008 to encourage households to be more energy efficient. The Solar Bonus Scheme is a feed-in tariff paid for surplus electricity generated from solar systems. This feed-in tariff reduces your power bill.

During daylight hours, if you use less energy than your solar panels produce, you can sell this excess power back to your electricity provider and receive 44-cents per kWh. Queensland is the only state that offers such a generous feed-in tariff.

For example, one of our customers with a 1.5 kW PV system and exported 309 kWh in a billing period. The credit they received on their bill was:

309kWh exported x 44c (feed-in tariff)=$135.96 credit on their power bill. This is a saving of $540 a year, in addition to the FREE power supplied by their solar system.

Many Queenslanders have already signed up to the Solar Bonus Scheme with their electricity supplier and these agreements will remain in effect until 2028 in accordance with the Electricity Act 1994. *

The Productivity Commission in June criticized the efficiency of the solar feed-in tariff schemes prompting state governments to review solar feed-in tariffs.   The Western Australia feed-in tariff scheme ceased on 1 August 2011.  South Australia has introduced legislation to decrease the feed-in tariff to 22c instead of 44c as of October 2011. Victoria’s feed-in tariff will reduce to 25c; customers have until the 30^th of September to lock-in the existing rate of 60c. Tasmania is currently reviewing their feed-in-tariff schemes.

Now is the time to install solar in Queensland. The Solar Bonus Scheme is available, the Australian Dollar remains strong (reducing solar panel prices), and you are still eligible for the up-front discount with the Federal Solar Credits Scheme.

NQ Solar, The Energy Hub can advise you further on how you can CUT your power bill. Call now for a FREE no obligation site visit on 07 4041 1911.

 *(http://www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/zone_files/Demand_side/solar_bonus_scheme_current_08.12.10.pdf