Queensland Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply Mark Bailey says the state is more than 50% towards the Government’s 2020 solar target of 3,000 megawatts of installed solar generation capacity.
“According to the latest data from our solar tracker, Queensland has more than 1,600 megawatts of installed solar generation capacity which means more than 426,000 Queensland homes are now enjoying the benefits of solar rooftop electricity generation,” stated Mr. Bailey.
The Minister said the state has among the highest rates of rooftop solar panel penetration in the world, and that all Queensland’s solar power systems combined represent the second largest power station in the state.
Installations picked up as the year went on, with the period from August to November including four of the five best months during 2016 for the number rooftop solar installs in Queensland.
Looking ahead, Mr. Bailey flagged an optional time varying feed-in tariff (T-FiT) in regional areas of the state; which will be determined by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) in the middle of next year after a public consultation process.
“The optional T-FiT, which will complement the existing flat rate FiT, offers solar customers more market reflective prices with lower rates in off-peak times and a higher rate during a daily peak period,” Minister Bailey said.
“The T-FiT can provide additional value to households who are able to take advantage of a peak price being introduced.”
Earlier this year, regional Queensland solar households received a boost when the Queensland Competition Authority announced a new feed-in tariff for regional customers of 7.448 cents per kilowatt hour; 17.3% higher than 2015-16.
The Government also intends increasing the size of systems eligible for a solar feed-in tariff in regional areas; from five kilowatts to thirty kilowatts. Those with systems already installed above 5 kilowatts would also be eligible.
“This change will require amendments to regulation which are expected to occur in the first half of 2017,” said Treasurer Curtis Pitt.
The Queensland Government also recently ruled out axing its legacy solar feed-in tariff program, the Solar Bonus Scheme. Additionally, it reportedly won’t be accepting a recommendation that Scheme participants forfeit their feed-in tariff if they should install battery storage systems.
