Last month it was Tasmania, this month solar incentives in South Australia face the axe.
South Australia’s solar feed in tariff consists of two parts – the distributor (SA Power Networks) contribution of 16c per kilowatt hour, plus a minimum electricity retailer contribution; currently at 9.8 cents per kilowatt hour.
It’s the larger 16c component that will disappear for households missing the deadline. For those who take the appropriate action prior to the cut-off date, the 16c component will be paid until 30 September 2016.
To qualify for the full 25.8c; households must have approved permission to connect received by 30 September 2013 and systems fully installed and connected before the meter booking cut off date.
Given the lead time required for paperwork, national solar provider Energy Matters has set its own deadline of September 15 and a rush is likely to see any available bookings quickly snapped up. The company will assist those acquiring solar power systems in feed in tariff application preparation and submission.
According to Energy Matters, a 4kW solar panel system professionally installed and consisting of good quality components can generate a financial benefit of between $1840 and $2100 a year under South Australia’s current incentive levels.
While going solar in South Australia will still be a good investment after the deadline; system payback time will be extended.
To assist more SA households in making the switch to solar, Energy Matters is offering a zero-deposit “Save As You Go” payment plan whereby electricity bill savings can be more than repayment levels. In the case of a 4kW system; repayment arrangements can be less than $4.20 a day.
South Australians have embraced solar energy – over 19 percent of households in the state have installed rooftop solar panels. Nationally, there are now well over 1 million solar homes in Australia.
