Presented by Energy Matters team member Virginia, we take a look at some of the stories from Australia and around the world recently added to our renewable energy news section.
In this episode, Virginia covers the suspension of Western Australia’s solar feed in tariff program and the ensuing backlash, the Tiny House movement and thousands of South Australian households being slugged an extra 17% for electricity.
In this episode:
– WA’s Energy Minister Peter Collier announced that Western Australia’s feed in tariff quota had been reached and the program suspended for new connections.
According to the Minister, Synergy and Horizon Power will continue to buy excess electricity fed into the grid from all residential solar systems. The Minister stated that even without the incentive, system owners would see a reasonable payback period. Read more.
– The sudden end to Western Australia’s feed in tariff has been criticized by the solar industry and its supporters. Energy Matters CEO Jeremy Rich said the industry isn’t looking for handouts, just a fair price for solar-generated electricity. Read more.
– Despite the popularity of “McMansion” style housing, the Tiny House concept is gaining traction in the US. The Tiny House movement focuses on reducing the size of living spaces, carbon footprint and household running costs using various technologies, including solar power. Read more.
– AGL’s standing contract prices increased in South Australia by over 17% from the beginning of August. For the average household consuming 5 thousand kilowatt hours of electricity per year on an AGL SA standing contract, this will translate to an annual bill increase of around $226. While less than 30 percent of small customers are under the standing contract, market contract prices are also likely to change. Read more.
