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Renewable Energy News

MONDAY 08 SEPTEMBER, 2008 |

WA Gross Feed In Tariff Gains Bipartisan Support

by Energy Matters

Regardless of who is in power after post-election negotiations in Western Australia, the people of WA will be able to hold to task either party on the topic of gross feed in tariffs - a program that pays residents a premium rate for all the clean electricity their solar power systems produce.

Just prior to the election, Labor promised a gross feed in tariff program if re-elected and the Liberal party has now followed suit; pledging $13.5m towards a feed-in tariff for homeowners, and an investigation of the feasibility of extending the scheme to small business and commercial premises.

A gross feed in tariff differs to a net system in that a premium well above market rate is paid on all power produced rather than just surplus. This system has been demonstrated to be incredibly successful in countries such as Germany is a very strong incentive for homeowners to invest in solar power.

Once the results of the election are finalized, it will then be the task of the people of Western Australia and the solar industry to ensure that the pre-election promise is fulfilled as soon as possible.

Learn more about solar power feed-in tariffs