Late in February we reported that even with a looming state election in Tasmania, none of the parties appeared to have addressed the lack of a suitable feed-in tariff for solar power in the state as an election issue. Unlike most other states, Tasmanian home solar power system owners are only paid the current market rate for any surplus electricity exported to the mains grid.
That situation changed last week with Tasmania’s Greens announcing their “Electrifying Tasmania” pledge. In addition to the Greens’ proposed Solar Rebate Scheme, the party has committed to introducing a solar gross feed-in tariff at double the retail rate (approximately 36.84c per kilowatt) for all residential and commercial properties by July 2010. The Greens say they will also implement a state-wide package to see solar panels or wind generators installed on 500 public housing residences by the same time.
A gross feed in tariff differs from a net scheme in that all electricity generated by a grid-connected solar power system is eligible for the premium rate, meaning that solar households make money even while consuming electricity produced by their systems; dramatically speeding up their return on investment.
Looking further ahead, the party says it will install up to 8000 clean power generation stations on the roofs of Tasmanian homes and businesses, invest $9 million to compensate electricity retailers to ensure other consumers’ bills do not increase and also to invest $5 million over three years to install solar panels or wind turbines on up to 500 public housing residences.
Source: Electrifying Tasmania: Introducing a Gross Feed-In Tariff (PDF)
