South Australians to save more with new feed-in tariff

30th Jan 2012

A new solar feed-in tariff premium is to be introduced in South Australia, saving the average household more than $400 a year.

The premium – approved by the Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCOSA) – will allow households that missed the cut-off date for the last scheme to now be paid up to an extra 11.2 cents per kilowatt hour for energy put back into the grid.

The draft proposal presented by ESCOSA earlier in the month remained unchanged, with the final decision agreeing to a three-stage implementation of the new feed-in tariff.

A “bonus” rate of 7.1 cents per kilowatt hour in addition to the existing feed in tariff will be applicable between January 27 and June 30 this year and this will rise to a premium of 9.8 cents per kilowatt hour for the next financial year.

The full 11.2 cents per kilowatt hour premium will be available between July 1 2013 and June 30 2014.

According to the commission, the tariff – dubbed the FiT Premium – reflects the fair and reasonable value of fed‐in electricity to energy service providers.

"All electricity retailers are required to provide at least this minimum FiT Premium to solar customers but may choose to credit a higher amount," the ESCOSA report stated.

ESCOSA chief executive Paul Kerin explained that while each household rooftop solar panel system is different, the average unit would generate excess worth $147 in 2012-13 and $168 in 2013-14.

"For an average household which was qualified for the 44 cents per kilowatt hour deal (before it was abolished in October), they will still get about $660 and also the $168," Mr Kerin told News Limited publication AdelaideNow (January 27).

The new FiT Premium comes in addition to the existing feed-in credits available to households.

Electricity distributor ETSA Utilities is also required to provide a feed‐in tariff to solar customers for electricity fed into its network and this amount varies according to the date of connection.

For customers who have an installation or approval date of before October 2011, 44 cents per kilowatt hour plus the new premium will be credited until June 30 2028.

Newer customers connecting before September 30 2013 will be paid 16 cents per kilowatt hour plus the new premium until 2016.

According to the ESCOSA, the feed-in tariff amounts credited by ETSA Utilities to solar customers are funded by all electricity customers – adding approximately $65 to an average annual household electricity bill.

Posted by Bob Dawson – News editor

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Government Rebate & Regulations

The election that could cast a deep shadow on solar power
This just in: You are nothing but a means to profit for big utilities and NSW government
The Tongans know a bad solar deal when they see one
Solar feed-in tariffs: Who's getting screwed?
Australian government at a solar power crossroads
WA government admits fault in solar rebate debacle
WA Government saves millions while solar customers are up in arms
SA's solar feed-in scheme costs to rise higher
CEC slams FIT deregulation in SA
Carbon tax announcement 'just a ripple'
Industry reactions to Rudd carbon price changes
New government 'must be made aware of renewable achievements'
Solar features prominently in ARENA funding plans
Calling all solar panel installers - 'save clean technology grants'
Manufacturers set to see bright side of economic slump?
Coalition government 'could spell bad news for solar'
'Not FIT for purpose' - ACT government on tariffs
QLD government under fire for negative solar stance
China's first trading emissions scheme begins
Details of the Queensland solar controversy
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
Tasmania's solar future no longer too uncertain
Renewable energy funding on the brink
The Clean Energy Council calls for more renewables
Reactions to renewable energy decisions from the 2013-14 federal budget
Federal budget announcement offers a mixed bag
The impact of the carbon tax
Govt energy efficiency success
Renewable Energy Target achievements
New funding for solar panels
Australia and China further carbon cutting collaboration
Examining Australia's environmental efforts
Renewable Energy Target survives its review
Solar powered cinema a possibility
New licensing will make it easier for solar installers to work across states
Renewable recommendations for WA
Renewable energy target hangs in the balance
Deadline approaching for QLD PV installations under 44 cent solar tariff
Electricity emissions down since carbon tax introduced
Reactions to RET review final report mixed
CCA: RET on track to achieve goals
Experts slam Solar Credits decision
Government support 'needed for commercial solar development'
Shadow ministers slam ARENA withdrawal
Industry expert lauds solar PV impact
Australian Solar Council chief hits back at CCA review suggestion
Australian Solar Council debuts solar electorate map
CCA report 'victory for common sense'
Productivity Commission draft 'good for solar'
SA solar campaign reaches government level
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: