Energy Minister Peter Collier has announced State Budget funding of $23million to introduce a residential net feed-in tariff scheme, providing a subsidy to householders with new and existing photovoltaic, wind and micro-hydro systems.

The scheme will open for applications from July 1, with payments to be made from August 1.

It will be available for residential installations where the system is owned by the home owner, including tenanted properties.

“The net feed-in tariff scheme has been set at 40 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) on electricity exported into both the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) and regional grids,” Mr Collier said.

“This is in addition to the price paid under the existing Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme, which will allow householders to receive a minimum of 47c/kWh.

“This provides a genuine incentive for home owners to install renewable energy systems, which not only has a positive impact on the environment but it will also help householders manage their electricity bills.”

A feasibility study is also being undertaken into the potential for a similar scheme for businesses.

The Minister said the scheme would help system owners recover the cost of installing solar photovoltaic systems, with recipients receiving the net feed-in tariff payments for 10 years.

“The scheme will not require any changes in metering for existing system owners,” he said.

“The State Government recognises the substantial interest within the community to install household renewable energy systems, and the introduction of a feed-in tariff will provide an on-going benefit to households and the solar industry in Western Australia.”

Current system size under retailer buyback schemes, up to 5kW for Synergy customers and up to 10kW per phase for Horizon Power customers, will apply.

Both electricity retailers will administer the net feed-in tariff scheme on the SWIS and regional networks respectively.

Original source:
www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/WACabinetMinistersSearch.aspx?ItemId=133582&minister=Collier&admin=Barnett