A loophole revealed in New South Wales’ Solar Bonus Scheme that could see electricity retailers offering credit instead of cash will be closed according to a report appearing on the Sydney Morning Herald Site.
Under the Solar Bonus Scheme, all households and eligible commercial and non-profit organisations are meant to be paid 60 cents per kilowatt hour for all electricity produced by grid connected solar power systems.
The new program was met with much enthusiasm by solar supporters in the state as the feed in tariff coupled with existing solar rebates and interest free green loans would dramatically shorten the payback period on a solar power system.
However, in recent weeks rumours have circulated that some electricity retailers intend to offer a credit on electricity bills rather than make cash payments.
Those retailers paying a credit would have a serious effect on householders and others relying on the cash payments in order to help pay off their solar power systems. While consumers could choose to switch electricity retailers, the process can often be complicated and costly.
The situation has caused confusion amongst some in NSW who are now hesitating to install systems, but it appear the Government is prepared to take action against retailers not participating in the Solar Bonus Scheme in the spirit it was intended.
According to a spokesperson for Energy Minister, John Robertson, retailers must be made to pay households for the power they generate as a condition of their operating licences.
”If retailers are found to be acting unfairly we will not hesitate to introduce regulations to ensure consumers are protected.”
Source
Further information : New South Wales Solar Bonus Scheme
