Fairer Deal For Solar Customers In Ku-ring-gai
Solar households and businesses in Ku-ring-gai could receive higher prices for the power they feed into the grid, following release of a new draft tariff by IPART.
Minister for Energy and Utilities, the Hon Don Harwin, said the benchmark feed-in tariff will more than double, and help customers negotiate a better deal from energy retailers.
“I have heard the concerns of solar households and asked IPART to update the benchmark tariff for the energy they feed into the grid,” Mr Harwin said.
“IPART’s draft determination of a fair value for solar more than doubles the previous tariff of 5.5 - 7.2 cents per kilowatt hour, proposing an increase to 11.6 - 14.6 c/kWh.
“The tariff is not subsidised by other energy users so it won’t increase power prices. It will help deliver lower energy bills for NSW’s 350,000 solar households,” he said.
Feed-in tariffs are a payment for excess generation fed into the grid. The benchmark range is lower than the amount charged for electricity by retailers as it excludes distribution costs as well as retail services, metering and billing.
State Member for Ku-ring-gai, Alister Henskens SC MP, welcomed the fairer tariff for local solar households and businesses, and encouraged retailers to offer a competitive deal to their customers.
“In my electorate, 2241 households and businesses are generating power from solar systems,” he said.
“More consumers are realising the benefit of installing solar to help keep bills down.
“Consumers can avoid costly energy by consuming as much from solar as possible, and the feed-in tariff rewards the excess power that goes back into the grid.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Renewable Energy and Northern NSW, Ben Franklin, said the financial benefit of solar goes beyond feed-in tariffs.
“The Government wants to expand access to solar power to help with bills, particularly for vulnerable households through our Home Energy Action Program.
"The CSIRO says 35 per cent of generation by 2050 could come from rooftop solar. Solar and batteries in homes and businesses are critical to future supply.”
When shopping around customers should consider all aspects of a retailer's offer, including charges, feed-in tariffs, discounts, late payment fees or early exit fees.
The final tariff determination will be issued in June. View IPART’s report here:
